2009’s Most Fascinating People
If you were as bored and disappointed by Barbara Walters 10 Most Fascinating People list this year (Adam Lambert and #1 Michelle Obama [?]) then this may be the list for you. Although you may not yet be familiar with some in the list, read on and enjoy the pictures!
10. Setti Warren - Mayor-elect of Newton, MA
With a name like Setti, one would not guess we were talking about a man. From his duty in Iraq to his work for the Clinton administration and Kerry campaign, he is a marvel. Once elected, he received a phone call from none other than Obama himself. And get this, he was told to call back because Warren was in a meeting! Fascinating, indeed.
09. Levi Johnston - Former boyfriend and baby daddy to the 2009 Vice Presidential candidate Sarah Palin’s daughter, Bristol
Although his title is convoluted and nothing noteworthy in itself, his year has been anything but. Only a year ago he was dating the VP candidates daughter, father to her child, and recently plucked from the backwoods of Alaska and thrust into the Washington machine (sans mullet). Since then, he has threatened a tell-all, planning to rain on Sarah’s parade and tarnish her hopes of becoming the first female Prez, broke up with his girlfriend, and become Hollywood’s newest model/actor/tabloid sensation and kick started his career by posing in Playgirl. We personally can’t wait to see what is next.
08. Rob Mazeriagos - U.S. Air force
Standing at just 5’0, he is certainly the shortest member on our list this year. What exactly inspired the 21 year old New York City native to join the Air Force is still unknown, but his reason for being the #8 most fascinating of 2009 is anything but. With regular quotes such as, “Ur an ugly hooker and people pay u to leave them alone xD” and “U ride a yellow painted mini van cause they looked at u and said na we need something smaller so people can understand this level of retard”, we find him quite intriguing. That isn’t enough? Add in to the mix his strange antics with his dachshund (see photos) and Booster’s obsession with Rob (pretty scary, actually) and there you have it ladies and gentlemen.
07. Martha Coakley - Democratic Candidate for U.S. Senator in Massachusetts
On her way to likely becoming Massachusetts first female U.S. Senator and heir to the late Kennedy’s seat is next on our list. She is not only extremely intelligent and classy, not to mention pretty (especially for a woman in her 50’s!) but she is from North Adams, MA. But none of those are the reasons that she appears here. Martha earned her spot on this list purely for the fact that she can get elected in public office with that voice. When she speaks, she sounds as if she is pronouncing every syllable slowly and phonetically, not to mention not moving her jaw once when doing so. And for that, we love her all the more! Keep it coming Martha.
06. Anna Nicole Smith - America’s Favorite Gold digger
For a woman who came to an untimely death almost three years ago, she certainly grabbed more than a few headlines this year. First her former doctors and lawyer/partner/”baby-daddy” Howard K. Stern (not to be confused with the radio talk show host) were being indicted for supplying her drugs. Then it was implicated by a former friend and hit man that she hired him to kill the son of her deceased husband in order to get her settlement.
05. Susan Boyle - Britain’s Got Talent runner up and Youtube sensation
Coming from rural Scotland, this worldwide sensation all happened for the sole reason that she possesses such a brilliant voice while she is unsightly in appearance, or so they say. She has since lost the competition, to who anyways? and gone on to have more than a few breakdowns and many more successes. She has topped the U.S. Billboards Top 200 albums for two and soon-to-be three weeks in a row, selling more than 1.2 million. She certainly isn’t dreaming that dream, she is living it, and she sure isn’t in Kansas anymore either. Wake up Susan, you’re #5!
04. Roberta - Transsexual New York City icon
Roberta already has appeared on this list, but to conceal her true identity, I won’t reveal which one. She has become more than just an underground sensation on Manhattans Lower East Side night club scene, she is on her way to international stardom. With a closet bursting open with the most fabulous shoe collection (complete with Louboutins and all) and some fierce wigs that would make Lady Gaga blush, we are proud to have her autograph. You will be seeing much more of her very soon, we’re positive about that. (I predict in 2010, she will be the #1 Halloween costume.)
03. Britney Spears - Pop singer
I hear all about Lady Gaga, Beyonce, and even Adam Lambert this year. Where has Britney been? Apparently on a sold out, worldwide arena tour finalizing her comeback. But I haven’t heard one peep from her, and since she doesn’t sing live…EVER, I’m not sure she has said anything, let alone do anything noteworthy or newsworthy. Not one headline from her this year, no pictures of her in pink wigs going to Starbucks or stripping on the beach. For her complete transformation into nothingness, she is our #3 pick for most fascinating.
02. Barack Obama - 44th U.S. President
This man has had THE year. He became the first Hawaiian U.S. President, the first African American President, and if you listen to his critics, the first non U.S. citizen to become President (???). Congratulations! He also won a Nobel Peace Prize, called for more troops, bailed out Wall Street, became a fashion icon, became a tabloid fixture, graced more Time magazine covers than either Bush or Clinton in either of their eight years in less than one year, had beers with Gates after the Harvard professor was arrested, and tarnished his fashion icon status (remember the baggy “dad” jeans? Our favorite Obama story of the year!). Thank you Obama, and continue to be fascinating and who knows, maybe next year you might even be #1! Now that is something to aspire to for the man who already accomplished it all.
01. Michael Jackson - Musician
Not the first posthumous recognition here, MJ was perhaps the most talked about death since..ever. Although I haven’t yet seen people dressed as him in Vegas, that hasn’t stopped him from becoming the most beloved icon since Elvis and Marilyn. I have seen more tribute concerts, movies, back-catalogue sales, memorabilia and facebook status updates pertaining to this man than anyone else this year, and so for that, he leads our list at #1.
