In a world fraught with disturbing celebrity shenanigans, the few who serve as powerful inspiration must be acknowledged.
2015 has been both the unequivocal year of the celebrity divorce and a time of international tragedy. While it's been a crazy ride, it can be easy to forget all of the good that's been accomplished.
These seven celebrities will remind you what it means to wield influence with a steady hand and a "celebrity" stigma-bashing stick.
Justin Timberlake
On the off chance that you've missed former boy-bander Justin Timberlake's graduation from frost-tipped bro to hilarious superdad, 2015 is the year to catch up: "This I Promise You."
Not only has the 34-year-old created angel baby Silas Randall with adult angel Jessica Biel, but he's also proven himself to be multi-talented and down to earth. A variety of late night appearances on programs like The Tonight Show have revealed the star as being more than happy to jump right into silly games like lip sync battles.
Let's be honest: life post-boy band doesn't always prove easy. But this star has created a massively successful solo career, wrangled one of Hollywood's most awesome ladies, and regularly shares his vigor for life with the rest of us.
Jennifer Garner
2015 has not been the easiest year for Jennifer Garner.
After her split with estranged husband Ben Affleck, word broke that the source of their divorce was an unfortunate mixture of his own personal issues and her nanny.
We have so much respect for the way she's continued to prioritize her children and career despite this mess; in the last year, she's taken on at least five film projects, has vigorously continued her advocacy for Save The Children, and is rarely seen without one of her own three young kids in tow. After 10 years of marriage, a breakup can be utterly debilitating. But frankly, if they hadn't shared they'd be parting, no one would know what Garner was going through.
The one shining light? Rumors are presently spreading that the Miracles from Heaven star is dating none other than McDreamy himself, Patrick Dempsey, which we probably couldn't 'ship more if we were at sea.
We wish this superstar mom, philanthropist, and actress an amazing 2016.
Ingrid Nilsen
YouTube star Ingrid Nilsen had no idea the influence she'd make on the gay community when she posted a "coming out" video on her channel in June.
The popular lifestyle guru and social media personality had shared her life as a straight woman with more than 3 million viewers for six years before she revealed that she was homosexual. In an emotional video, Nilsen said that due to lack of familial acceptance and fear of backlash, she'd hidden her true feelings since she was a child. To date, the video has nearly 14 million views and a staggering 713,000 "likes," her audience and fans uniting to support her and people like her who may be going through a similar experience.
Nilsen's reveal sent a shockwave through the YT community, inspiring other popular personalities like Shane Dawson to share the full truth about their own identities.
In one 19-minute video, 14 million people were encouraged to be their truest selves. We're not sure how she'll top it, but we have high hopes for Nilsen in coming years.
Nikki Reed
Often times, stars are defined by the people with which they're romantically linked. When Twilight actress Nikki Reed married famedVampire Diaries hottie Ian Somerhalder in April, many began to pigeonhole the 27-year-old — 2015 was the year she proved them all wrong.
Even excluding her multiple film projects and career at large, Reed's hobbies are notable. In addition to a strong animal protection platform, she's been linked to charities like Autism Speaks, Children's Defense Fund, Susan G. Komen for the Cure, and Lupus LA.
One look at her social presence and it's obvious what defines her: her love for animals of all shapes and sizes, her musical projects, and her career — not her marriage to a Hollywood hunk.
Happy #nationaldogday. Meet Lucy, a dog that has changed my life forever. Her story while painful to read is one that must be heard. I will find a place to post it in it's entirety, but for now I'll give you the abbreviated version. Lucy was dropped at a shelter and her "owner" paid to euthanize her that day for chewing up her bathroom. I walked in minutes before they took her, and knew in my gut that something wasn't right- some other avenue needed exploration- that there had to be another option- and I refused to let them take her. I begged for anything, even a couple of minutes to find a solution. We discovered over the next hour that the dog in fact belonged to a wonderful man who could no longer keep her, as his wife had passed away from cancer, his house was foreclosed on, and this other woman was his neighbor who agreed to watch Lucy for him. He came down, signed Lucy over to me and we left the shelter together. I'll never get forget the noise that came out of this dog the second she saw her dad and knew she was safe. In that moment I realized without a doubt that some feelings transcended the language barrier between humans and animals- it was the kind of emotion that didn't require a word to understand what Lucy was saying. We all cried. Lucy is currently with an amazing foster family, but I am looking to find a permanent home for this beautiful girl who was minutes away from being euthanized, for no reason, and by accident. I will never forget her, she has a piece of my heart, and I know she will become the love of someone's life very soon. Call @FurKidsAtlanta if you're interested in Lucy.
A photo posted by Nikki Reed (@iamnikkireed) on
James Gunn
James Gunn has become just as famous for his personality as his creative prowess. The 45-year-old Hollywood writer and Missouri native gained widespread notoriety with Guardians of the Galaxy in 2014, and since then, his fandom has expanded tenfold.
Guardians hit a chord with millions of people, jetting it to the top of box office charts and effectively establishing the film a classic in record time. But what's truly noteworthy about Gunn is his compassion. An active social media presence paired with a keen, rare awareness of fan feedback and desire have revealed him to be a Hollywood diamond in the rough. Along with his habit of interacting with fans as equals, he connects with them on a level that few other producers have.
Truly, Gunn is the movie guru of the future. He'll remain a shining light in our eyes in years to come, and should be viewed as an example for aspiring screenwriters and producers alike.
Amy Schumer
What hasn't Amy Schumer accomplished this year?
Despite her self-deprecating humor and casual countenance, the comedienne has reached highs few others have in 2015.
This year, Schumer has become an Emmy-winning producer, director, writer, and actress, a Golden Globe nominee, a one-woman standup star, and is perhaps the only woman to have turned down a gig as The Daily Show host in history. She has single-handedly paved the way for other women in the industry and altered the celebri-humor narrative for posterity.
Side note: if she truly is drunk as often as she suggests, she might also be a genie.
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