Justin Bieber and Bruno Mars have stolen the hearts of girls across the world, and now they have also won over the editors at TIME. The magazine selected the two heartthrobs for its annual list of the world’s most influential people.
They join a prestigious lineup of 100 artists, activists, reformers, researchers, and heads of state including President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, Vice President Joe Biden, Oprah Winfrey, and Sting.
Usher bestowed praise on his 16-year-old protégé. “From the minute I met Justin, I knew this kid possessed a certain confidence that only a star could have. He was born a star,” wrote his mentor. “He knew what he wanted to accomplish; all he had to do was get everyone else to believe it. Now, looking back at his incredible run, the reality of who he is and what he’s accomplished far exceeds anybody’s expectations of him.”
B.o.B had nothing but glowing words to say about his “Nothin’ on You” collaborator Bruno Mars. “There are a lot of people in this world who can sing and play the piano and guitar. Hell, I sing and play the piano and guitar,” he said. “But there’s something different about Bruno Mars. He has a musicality, a presence in his voice that I’ve never heard from anyone else.”
See who else made the 2011 TIME 100 here.