Pop star Cyndi Lauper thinks Lady Gaga’s entry in the list is well deserved as she is “an inspiration to other artists”. In an appraisal for the unconventional singer, Lauper mentioned that Lady Gag’s lyrics are ‘incredibly literary’ and ‘sophisticated.’

Lady Gaga “is the art”
“When I see someone like Gaga, I sit back in admiration. I’m inspired to pick up the torch again myself,” wrote Lauper. “Being around her, I felt like the dust was shaken off of me. I find it very comforting to sit next to somebody and not have to worry that I look like the freak.”

Further pouring praise on her, Lauper wrote, “She isn’t a pop act, she is a performance artist. She herself is the art.”

Followers determine the star-power
Lady Gaga was also chosen to be the second most influential person on the basis of number of followers and connections she has on the social networking websites Twitter and Facebook. President Barack Obama topped this list.

Other than Gaga, there were several other musicians who made it to Time’s most influential list. Prince, Elton John and Taylor Swift apparently also influence the world much.

She isn’t a pop act, she is a performance artist. She herself is the art — Cyndi Lauper on Lady Gaga

The influence of Taylor Swift
Interestingly Time got other people to talk about the influential ones. “Taylor reminds me of myself in her determination and her childlike nature. It’s an innocence that’s so special and so rare,” wrote FleetWood Mac legend Stevie Nicks. “This girl writes the songs that make the whole world sing, like Neil Diamond or Elton John. I still walk around singing her song ‘Today Was a Fairytale.’”

Other big names on the list included President Barack Obama, former President Bill Clinton, Neil Patrick Harris, Lea Michele, ‘American Idol’ judge Simon Cowell, Carlton Cuse and Damon Lindelof, the writer-producers of ‘Lost’, James Cameron, Kathryn Bigelow, Oprah Winfrey, comedian Ricky Gervais and also the young heartthrob Robert Pattinson.

Sandra Bullock is influential too
Besides, new mom Sandra Bullock, who recently put up a brilliant example of strength by showing no bitterness towards her husband’s infidelity, was also featured on the list.

Betty White, her co-star from ‘The Proposal,’ has plenty of nice things to say about the Oscar-winning actress.

Sandra “has a strength of her own. She never lets a scene get away from her. She’s never just there going through her paces. And you can’t take your eyes off of her,” said Betty. “America, you wish she were your sweetheart.”