After years of shaping the internet from behind screens, creators are finally having their moment in the spotlight.
TIME has released its first-ever TIME100 Creators list, recognizing 100 of the most influential digital voices in the world. Twitch streamer Kai Cenat marks the occasion on the cover, photographed by AB+DM.
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The TIME100 Creators issue recognizes individuals whose digital influence spans content creation, activism, entertainment, and education. According to TIME CEO Jessica Sibley, the list aims to spotlight “individuals who are not only driving conversations online but also inspiring communities and setting new standards for what it means to be a creator today.”
The list is organized into 12 categories, reflecting the diversity of the creator economy. Featured names include:
- Conversation Leaders: Alex Cooper, Joe Rogan, Sean Evans, Amelia Dimoldenberg
- Lifestyle Influencers: Alix Earle, Drew Afualo, Charli D’Amelio
- Advocates and Activists: Jay Shetty, Pattie Gonia, Shirley Raines
- Entertainment and Art Creators: Cole Walliser, Prajakta Koli, Heidi Wong
- Gaming and Streaming Personalities: Kai Cenat, Darren Watkins Jr. (IShowSpeed), Imane Anys (Pokimane)
- Finance and Tech Experts: Marques Brownlee, Vivian Tu, Colin & Samir
The youngest individual on the list is 12-year-old Taylen Biggs, highlighting the wide age range of impactful creators in 2025.
Of the 2025 TIME100 Creators list, TIME Editor in Chief Sam Jacobs writes in his letter to readers, “Led by changes in consumer behavior, accelerated during the pandemic, digital creators, the entrepreneurs who have built businesses through significant online followings, have emerged to shape our culture. They are changing what we watch, how we spend our time, what we buy, and how we vote…Today, we release the inaugural TIME100 Creators list, in recognition of how significantly these individuals are changing the way people inform themselves…As we often say, influence comes in many forms, and it can mean for better or for worse.”
The full list is available on TIME’s website.
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The TIME100 Creators initiative also reflects the growth of the creator economy, which is projected to reach $480 billion by 2027. Creators are increasingly influential across industries, from media and entertainment to fashion and public discourse.
To celebrate the list’s release, TIME will host a TIME100 Creators Launch Party on July 10 in New York City. Scheduled attendees include Sean Evans, Mikayla Nogueira, Tefi Pessoa, and Hannah Neeleman, among others.
