TIME Unveils 2026 TIME100 List Ahead of New York Summit and Gala
NEW YORK — TIME on April 15 released its annual TIME100 list, naming the 100 most influential people in the world, as the media organization prepares to convene global leaders in New York for its TIME100 Summit and Gala today.
The 2026 edition features four worldwide covers spotlighting actor Zoe Saldaña, comedian Nikki Glaser, actor Wagner Moura, and singer-songwriter Luke Combs.
The annual list pairs honorees with guest contributors who write tributes. Among this year’s pairings are Dakota Johnson written by Taylor Swift, Ralph Lauren by Oprah Winfrey, and Pope Leo XIV by Martin Scorsese. Other contributors include prominent figures across entertainment, politics and media.
TIME Chief Executive Officer Jessica Sibley said the list recognizes “leaders, innovators, and changemakers who are redefining the future.” Editor in Chief Sam Jacobs noted that influence is not defined by a single measure, emphasizing the diversity of individuals shaping global conversations.
The 23rd annual list spans politics, business, science, entertainment and the arts. Political leaders named include Xi Jinping, Donald Trump, Claudia Sheinbaum and Benjamin Netanyahu. Business and technology figures include Sundar Pichai, Michael Dell and MrBeast.
The list also highlights figures in science and health, such as astronaut Reid Wiseman, as well as advocates including Dolores Huerta. In entertainment, honorees include Ben Stiller, Kate Hudson and Keke Palmer, while musicians such as Coco Jones and Jennie are also featured.
Among athletes are Chloe Kim and Noah Lyles. Figure skater Alysa Liu, 20, is the youngest honoree, while Huerta, 96, is the oldest.
Chinese President Xi appears on the list for the 14th time, more than any other individual this year. Repeat honorees also include Trump, Netanyahu and Pichai.
TIME’s annual gathering will bring many of the honorees together in New York. The TIME100 Summit is scheduled for today and will feature speakers including United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres, entrepreneur MrBeast and business leaders from global companies.
The TIME100 Gala, marking its 20th year, will take place April 23. It will be hosted by Glaser, with musical performances by Combs and Jones. Speakers are expected to include Saldaña, Kim and actor Alan Cumming.
For the first time, the gala’s red carpet will be livestreamed, hosted by television personalities Maura Higgins and Terrence J, and produced by TIME Studios.
The TIME100 franchise has expanded in recent years to include events and initiatives focused on areas such as artificial intelligence, climate and health, reflecting what the organization describes as evolving sources of global influence.
The TIME100 Gala red carpet will be livestreamed for the first time, hosted by Maura Higgins and Terrence J, and feature interviews with this year’s TIME100 list makers and special guests. The livestream, produced by TIME Studios, will be available to watch on TIME’s YouTube, Instagram and X.
Mýa Took Fight for Fair Pay to Capitol Hill, Backing Landmark Music Bill
WASHINGTON — Grammy Award-winning artist Mýa met with lawmakers on Capitol Hill on April 14 to advocate for the American Music Fairness Act, a bipartisan proposal aimed at ensuring artists were compensated when their recordings were played on AM/FM radio.
The singer was joined by executives from SoundExchange during the visit, which focused on building support for legislation that would extend performance royalties to featured artists and copyright holders for terrestrial radio airplay.
Under U.S. law at the time, songwriters and publishers received compensation when music was broadcast on traditional radio, but performers and recording owners did not. The proposed measure sought to address that gap while maintaining protections for small, local, college, and noncommercial stations.
“Radio has long played an important role in connecting artists with audiences and communities,” Mýa said in a statement. She described the legislation as a “balanced approach” that supported fair pay for artists while recognizing the role of local broadcasters.
The American Music Fairness Act had drawn backing from more than 300 recording artists and industry groups, according to SoundExchange, as momentum built around updating compensation models for music creators.
Mýa’s visit came amid renewed activity in her music career. She had recently released “ASAP,” a single from her forthcoming album Retrospect, scheduled for release on May 15. The track reached the Top 20 on Adult R&B Airplay charts.
The artist, whose catalog included hits such as “Lady Marmalade” and “Case of the Ex,” was also marking the 25th anniversaries of her album Fear of Flying and the single “Lady Marmalade.” She was expected to tour that summer alongside The Pussycat Dolls and Lil’ Kim.
SoundExchange said the legislation was part of a broader effort to modernize the music industry’s compensation framework. The organization had distributed more than $13 billion in digital performance royalties and represented over 800,000 creators globally.
Popeyes Launched Limited-Time ‘ONE PIECE’ Menu and Collectibles in First Anime Collaboration
Popeyes launched a limited-time collaboration with the popular anime franchise ONE PIECE on April 13, offering a themed menu and exclusive collectibles at participating locations across the United States and Canada.
The promotion, created in partnership with Toei Animation, marked the fast-food chain’s first anime collaboration and aimed to bring elements of the long-running series into a restaurant setting. The campaign featured menu items inspired by characters from the show, which follows the adventures of the Straw Hat Crew.
Among the featured offerings was the Luffy Bento Bundle, priced at $13.99, which included two pieces of Popeyes’ signature chicken, macaroni and cheese, a lemonade branded as “Gum-Gum Fruit Lemonade,” and a dessert called “Chopper’s Cupcake.” Additional items included the Luffy Bento Box, Gum-Gum Fruit Lemonade, and Chopper’s Cupcake, each sold separately at lower price points.
Matt Rubin, chief marketing officer at Popeyes, said the collaboration sought to reflect themes from the anime, including adventure and loyalty, while incorporating the brand’s signature flavors.
As part of the promotion, the company also distributed a limited number of collectible ONE PIECE-themed Bento Boxes at select restaurant locations in cities including New York, Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, Miami, and New Brunswick, New Jersey. The items were available to some customers who purchased the Luffy Bento Bundle on the launch date.
In addition to in-store offerings, Popeyes released a line of themed merchandise, including keychains, T-shirts, and Bento Boxes, which became available for purchase online beginning April 15.
The company said the collaboration was available for a limited time.
McDonald’s and Netflix Launched K-Pop-Themed Menu, Pitting Fans Against Each Other in ‘KPop Demon Hunters’ Campaign
McDonald’s partnered with Netflix to launch a limited-time promotional campaign tied to the film “KPop Demon Hunters,” introducing themed menu items, collectible merchandise, and digital fan experiences at restaurants nationwide beginning March 31.
The collaboration featured two adult meal options inspired by rival groups depicted in the film—HUNTR/X and the Saja Boys—aimed at engaging fans of the movie and K-pop culture. The campaign also incorporated menu influences from McDonald’s restaurants in South Korea.
The Saja Boys Breakfast Meal included a Sausage McMuffin with Egg topped with a spicy sauce, hash browns, and a small soft drink. The HUNTR/X Meal, available throughout the day, featured a 10-piece Chicken McNuggets order, medium soft drink, and additional items such as Ramyeon McShaker Fries, a sweet chili-based Hunter Sauce, and a mustard-based Demon Sauce.
Each meal was accompanied by a collectible photocard pack, which included either a HUNTR/X or Saja Boys card along with a “Derpy” access card. Customers could scan a QR code on the access card and enter it into the McDonald’s app by April 26 to unlock early access to exclusive content and a reveal tied to the campaign’s “Battle for the Fans.”
The promotion also introduced a new dessert item, the Derpy McFlurry, which combined vanilla soft serve with berry-flavored elements.
Company executives said the partnership was designed to connect fans more deeply with the film by translating its themes and cultural influences into food and interactive experiences.
The campaign was available for a limited time at participating McDonald’s locations across the United States.
Snoop Dogg to Headline Treasure Island’s 2026 Summer Concert Series in Minnesota
Rapper Snoop Dogg was scheduled to headline the 2026 Summer Concert Series at Treasure Island Resort & Casino, with a performance set for Sept. 5 at the venue’s outdoor amphitheater.
The concert was part of a broader entertainment lineup hosted by the casino throughout the year. Tickets for the performance were set to go on sale to the public at 10 a.m. on April 24 through the venue’s website. Reserved seating for attendees ages five and older started at $69, while premium Michelob ULTRA Zone tickets were priced at $259.
Snoop Dogg, a prominent figure in rap music since the early 1990s, had built a career spanning music, film, television, and other ventures. His debut album, Doggystyle, released in 1993, reached the top of the Billboard 200 chart. Over the course of his career, he recorded 45 songs that appeared on the Billboard Hot 100, including three No. 1 hits such as Drop It Like It’s Hot.
He received 16 Grammy Award nominations and was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2023. His work included widely recognized tracks such as Gin and Juice and Still D.R.E.. Beyond music, he also appeared in film and television, including a role in Mac & Devin Go to High School and as a judge on NBC’s The Voice. He was also featured in NBC’s coverage of the 2026 Winter Olympics.
The Sept. 5 performance was one of several events scheduled at the resort in 2026, alongside appearances by musicians and entertainers across multiple genres. The Summer Concert Series included both indoor and outdoor shows at the Island Event Center and the amphitheater.
Treasure Island Resort & Casino, owned and operated by the Prairie Island Indian Community, is located along the Mississippi River and features a hotel, gaming facilities, and multiple entertainment venues.
Kellogg’s Brings Back Cereal Box Toys After a Decade — Just in Time for Toy Story 5
Kellogg’s reintroduced toys inside cereal boxes for the first time in more than a decade as part of a promotional campaign tied to Disney and Pixar’s Toy Story 5, the companies announced.
The special edition cereal boxes were set to become available nationwide on April 26 ahead of the film’s theatrical release on June 19. The promotion aimed to highlight hands-on play and recreate a long-standing tradition of including toys in cereal packaging.
Kellogg’s partnered with Disney to align the campaign with themes from Toy Story 5, which explored the role of toys in a technology-driven world. The film featured characters including Woody, Buzz Lightyear and Jessie as they confronted challenges posed by digital play.
“At Kellogg’s, there’s a real sense of childhood nostalgia tied to the moments families remember most – and breakfast is a big part of that,” said Laura Newman, vice president of brand marketing at WK Kellogg Co. She said the return of toys to cereal boxes was intended to create a “screen-free moment of play” that parents could share with their children.
Lylle Breier, executive vice president of partnerships, promotions, synergy and events at The Walt Disney Studios, said the collaboration reflected the film’s focus on creativity and play. “We are delighted to collaborate with Kellogg’s on their Toys Back in the Box campaign,” Breier said.
As part of the promotion, Kellogg’s also planned a public activation featuring a large interactive Toy Story-themed claw machine at The Grove in Los Angeles on May 24.
Toy Story 5, directed by Andrew Stanton and co-directed by Kenna Harris, featured voices including Tom Hanks, Tim Allen and Joan Cusack. The film followed the toys as they encountered a new tablet device named Lilypad, which challenged their role in their owner’s life.
WK Kellogg Co said the campaign was part of its broader effort to engage families through its portfolio of breakfast brands, which included Frosted Flakes, Rice Krispies, Froot Loops, Special K and Raisin Bran.
Disney and Pixar announced the return of the the upcoming release of Toy Story 5, set to arrive exclusively in theaters on June 19, 2026.
The film revisites core characters including Woody, Buzz Lightyear, and Jessie, as they faced a new challenge centered on the growing role of technology in children’s lives. The story introduces a new character, Lilypad, a tablet device that disrupted the toys’ traditional role in playtime as it presented its own ideas about what was best for their owner, Bonnie.
The returning cast included Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, and Joan Cusack, alongside Greta Lee, who voiced the new character.
The film was produced by Lindsey Collins. Composer Randy Newman, also an Academy Award winner, returned to create the score, marking his fifth time working on a film in the Toy Story series.
The installment explored how the introduction of new technology could reshape traditional play, raising questions about whether playtime would remain the same for the characters and their young owner.
