On Time.com

To visually unite our mix of TIME 100 cover subjects (including Misty Copeland, below, during rehearsal in New York City), photographer Sebastian Kim opted for minimalist, stripped-down portraits. For more on his process and to see additional images, visit time.com/sebastiankim.

We interviewed TIME 100 honorees about their most important mentors and inspirations and what they hoped to accomplish with their own influence. Here, a preview of the videos available at time.com/time100mentors.

JORGE RAMOS

(far left) is inspired by the late journalist Oriana Fallaci

ABBY WAMBACH

(below left) cites her high school soccer coach

DIANE VON FURSTENBERG

(below) salutes her mother, a Holocaust survivor

LEE DANIELS

(left) credits a magazine editor and a former agent

In advance of this special issue curated by TIME’s editors, we asked readers to weigh in on who they think should make our list of the world’s most influential people. Here are their top choices (showing the percentage of total votes received):

7%

VLADIMIR PUTIN

Russian President

6.9%

CL

South Korean rapper-singer

2.6%

LADY GAGA

Singer

1.9%

RIHANNA

Singer

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