This past Sunday, Barbara Walters unveiled her annual, “Top 10 Most Fascinating People,” list. On it were some obvious choices, but there were also several surprises, including the fact that over half the list was made up of women (talk about girl power!). Given Walters's closing speech, she made an indefinite statement about this possibly being her last special. I highly doubt that it is, but just in case this is true and you missed it, here is Barbara Walters's picks for 2014's, "Top 10 Most Fascinating People."
10. Scarlett Johannson.
This classic beauty looked incredible for having just had her daughter, Rose Dorothy, a few months ago. During her interview, Johannson discussed her childhood love of acting and performing, and even sang a bit of an old audition piece! As per usual, she held herself with an elegance and grace that can only be described as reminiscent of old Hollywood legends like Marilyn Monroe and Audrey Hepburn. It is no wonder she ended up on the list.
9. Neil Patrick Harris.
Best known for his role as Barney on the TV sitcom How I Met Your Mother, Neil Patrick Harris is the definition of a modern day renaissance man. He has preformed on Broadway, TV, Film, and hosted nearly every award show there is, including the Oscars next year! He opened up about his experience coming out, his new husband, David Burtka and their two stunning children.
8. Chelsea Handler.
Famous for her crude jokes and her not-so-seret love of drinking, Chelsea Handler is a force to be reckoned with. She has written several books and hosted her late night talk show, "Chelsea Lately,"for seven years. Originally, Handler set out to become an actress, but after killing a DUI driving class with jokes, she gave up that dream to pursue a career in comedy. And clearly, it has paid off!
7. George R. R. Martin.
If you are a fan of "Game of Thrones" and don’t know who this is, you have a lot of googling to do. The man behind the popular book series and now HBO show, George R. R. Martin heard a lot of no's before he got a yes. He had been shut down by several companies for adaptations of his books, because they were deemed too difficult to recreate visually. So, he decided to just go for it and write the most outrageous story he could think of. Voila, I present "Game of Thrones."
6. Elon Musk.
Creator of the luxury fuel-efficient cars, Tesla, Elon Musk is a real life Tony Stark. In addition to his car company, he has also had a hand in creating several rockets, one of which is able to be used for return trips for astronauts to Earth! Musk has future plans to go to space himself, where he one day hopes to aid in the colonization of Mars. He is paving the way for science and technology as we know it!
5. Oprah Winfrey.
Oprah has been on Barbara Walters's list multiple times, but I’d say she has earned it. During her interview, she discussed intimate parts of her childhood, as well as the Oprah Show and her new movie "Selma," where she plays an African-American woman who is attempting to vote during segregation. Recently 60, she said she feels great and is in a great place. Keep kicking a**, Oprah!
4. David Koch.
This was probably the most surprising name on Walters's list. A right-winged conservative, David Koch has made a splash in both philanthropic work and the business world. He has donated millions to multiple charities, and is head of the family business, Koch Industries. He stated during the interview that he is a, “social liberalist,” and that while he is a conservative, he is also pro-choice and a proponent of legalizing gay marriage.
3. Michael Strahan.
It’s no secret that Michael Strahan is one of my favorite celebrities, but this interview just reconfirmed it. A retired NFL player and now co-host on Good Morning America and Live! With Kelly and Michael, there seems to be no door Strahan won’t open. He said he lives by his father's saying, "Not if, when," and he has had to work immensely hard for everything he has achieved, including football. Walters also asked him if he ever tried to fix the famous gap in his teeth, to which he responded that he tried once but it just doesn’t look like him.
2. Taylor Swift.
Considering all her success this year, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that Miss T-Swift is on the list. When asked by Walters about her reputation for writing about her exs and feelings she responded with, “When men write about their feelings, they’re brave. When women write about their feelings, they’re over sharing and over emotional.” A classy response from a classy young woman.
1. Amal Clooney.
I will admit I was slightly surprised at this choice. But, Amal Clooney is a woman the world has been completely obsessed with. Known as the woman who married perpetual bachelor, George Clooney, Amal is a powerhouse all her own. A successful lawyer, she has built a name for herself by defending high-profile clients like hacker Julian Assange and advising political leaders like the King of Bahrain and Kofi Annan.
