10 Malala Yousafzai
The youngest-ever Nobel laureate Malala Yousafzai has inspired young and old alike to reconsider girls’ education. Malala started out as a blogger for the BBC, detailing life in Pakistan under the Taliban. In 2012 she was shot in the head in an attack on her school bus. She fought for her life and then went on to fight for girls everywhere.
9 Michelle Phan
Michelle Phan teaches us all what we can do with a little make-up. She broke into the vlog scene with make-up tutorials under the name “Ricebunny”. She started her own YouTube channel in 2007 which now has more than 8 million subscribers.
8 Leah Dou
We can be doubly proud of Dou Jing-tong because she’s one of our own. The daughter of Dou Wei and Faye Wong is making a name for herself as a musician. She sings mostly in English.
7 Lydia Ko
The Korean-New Zealand pro-golfer became the world no 1 in February last year, at the age of 17. Her records are made up of a lot of “the youngest”s, but Time thinks she’s great too, listing her in the 2014 most influential people.
6 Emma Watson
Ever since she stole our hearts as Hermione Granger in the Harry Potter movie series, Emma has grown up in the public eye. What an amazing young woman she has become. As an ardent feminist Emma has taken up the role of UN Women Goodwill Ambassador and helped launch the #HeForShe campaign.
5 Chloe Kim
Chloe Kim is a US snowboarding goddess who missed out on a spot at the Sochi Winter Olympics because she was too young. With a string of medals to her name she’s one to watch in South Korea in 2018.
4 Kendall Jenner
Thanks to Kendall Jenner anyone can know what it feels like to be a top model. This clever fashion icon created a horde of followers by posting backstage pictures of events she attended. Last year she made Forbes’ top earning model’s list with an annual income of US$4 million.
3 Katy Perry
Hear her roaa aar! Katy started off singing in church and then went on to I Kissed a Girl. Firework also stole our hearts. Critics think she’s still got a lot more to give, and YP agrees.
2 Kim Yuna
Kim Yuna is a South Korean former figure skater. She is the 2010 Olympic champion and 2014 silver medalist in ladies’ singles; the 2009, 2013 World champion; the 2009 Four Continents champion; and a three-time Grand Prix Final champion.
1 Tay Tay FTW
Taylor Swift still rules. The youngest singer ever signed by Sony/ATV music has rewarded the company with hit after hit. Tay Tay is not just about the glitz and glamour. She gives a lot of money to charity, and education is her inspired cause.