On Friday, TIME will reveal its 2024 Person of the Year. Since 1927, this title has honored the individual, group, or concept with the greatest global influence, for better or worse. Past recipients include Taylor Swift (2023), Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky (2022), and Elon Musk (2021).

This year’s finalists, announced on NBC’s Today Show, are:

  • Kamala Harris: Following President Joe Biden’s decision to exit the race, Vice President Harris campaigned to become the first female U.S. president. Despite focusing on reproductive rights and democracy, she lost to Donald Trump and conceded on Nov. 6.
  • Kate Middleton: The Princess of Wales candidly addressed health and privacy when she revealed a cancer diagnosis after months of speculation. Middleton completed chemotherapy in September.
  • Elon Musk: The billionaire entrepreneur entered politics, endorsing Trump and influencing his agenda. Musk will co-lead Trump’s proposed Department of Government Efficiency. He was previously Person of the Year in 2021.
  • Yulia Navalnaya: After her husband Alexei Navalny’s death in Russian custody, Navalnaya became a key opposition figure, accusing Vladimir Putin of murder and rallying international support.
  • Benjamin Netanyahu: The Israeli Prime Minister intensified military actions in Gaza and Lebanon, drawing global controversy. The International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants against him for alleged crimes against humanity.
  • Jerome Powell: As U.S. Federal Reserve Chair, Powell navigated a turbulent economy amid political criticism, emphasizing the Fed’s independence.
  • Joe Rogan: The podcasting giant influenced the 2024 U.S. election with his endorsement of Trump. Rogan remains a polarizing figure for his platform’s reach and controversies.
  • Claudia Sheinbaum: Mexico’s first female president, Sheinbaum tackled issues from violence to trade tensions with the U.S., following Trump’s tariff threats.
  • Donald Trump: In a historic comeback, Trump won the 2024 presidency, becoming the oldest and first convicted felon to hold the office. His campaign emphasized the economy and border control.
  • Mark Zuckerberg: Under scrutiny for Meta’s role in misinformation and its impact on youth, Zuckerberg also reached new financial heights, ranking as the fourth richest person globally.

 

Who will claim the title?

Love this? You’ll love this bit from Will & Woody – catch the boys weekdays from 4PM on KIIS 1065