Rogue One actor Riz Ahmed has been made a cover star for Time magazine\u2019s list of the 100 most influential figures in the world.\nAhmed leads the way for the pioneers list, with other categories honouring icons, artists and leaders.
\nOscar winners Viola Davis and John Legend are the respective cover stars for icons and artists.
\nEd Sheeran and James Corden also made the list, with their tributes written by Taylor Swift and Sir Elton John.
\nAhmed\u2019s tribute is written by Hamilton creator Lin-Manuel Miranda. The actor and musician contributed a rap to the Hamilton Mixtape and Miranda explains why he is a named as a pioneer.
\n\u201cRiz Ahmed has been quietly pursuing every passion and opportunity for many years as an actor (The Road to Guantanamo, Four Lions, Nightcrawler), rapper (Post 9\/11 Blues, Englistan) and activist (raising funds for Syrian refugee children, advocating representation at the House of Commons).
\n\u201cTo know him is to be inspired, engaged and ready to create alongside him. The year 2016 was when all the seeds he planted bore glorious fruit, and here\u2019s the best part: he\u2019s just getting started.\u201d
\nRiz tweeted his thanks to Time and Lin-Manuel for his \u201clove\u201d and \u201csupport\u201d, which he said he hopes to earn.
\nMoonlight director Barry Jenkins and Selma director Ava Duvernay have also made the list.
\nMeryl Streep has written about Viola Davis for the magazine, pointing out her \u201chard-won, midlife rise to the very top of her profession has not led her to forget the rough trip she took getting there\u201d.
\n\u201cAnd that is why she embodies for all women, but especially for women of colour, the high-wire rewards of hard work and a dream, risk and faith.\u201d
\nHarry Belafonte has written the tribute to John Legend calling him a \u201cwonderful artist\u201d and \u201cremarkable lyricist\u201d and praised his activism.
\n\u201cJohn uses his platform to push for meaningful social change, and the depth of his commitment is to be admired,\u201d he writes.
\nOther stars to make the list are Demi Lovato, Chance the Rapper, Emma Stone and Margot Robbie, whose tribute is written by Martin Scorsese.
\nHelen Mirren has written about Ryan Reynolds, Russell Crowe has written a tribute to Ghostbusters actress Leslie Jones and Cate Blanchett has written about The People V OJ Simpson actress Sarah Paulson.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"