New York’s junior senator took office Jan. 26, 2009, and has completely transformed in the 11 months since. Who was that chic woman strolling purposefully in a nude shift through Vogue? And it’s not just the weight loss and dramatic style makeover. Gillibrand found her voice over the course of 2010, emerging as one of the leaders in the successful repeal of Don’t Ask Don’t Tell.
Getty Images
The last three years have been tumultuous for the one-time American Idol contestant. She won an Oscar in 2007, then suffered the tragic murder of her mother and brother in 2008. 2010 was the year Hudson transformed herself, dropping from a size 18 to a size 6. She finished the year off serenading Oprah Winfrey at the Kennedy Center honors.
Getty Images
After appearing on The Late Show with David Letterman seemingly cracked-out or nuts in 2009, Joaquin Phoenix came out this year to reveal it was all a hoax, put on for the mockumentary I’m Still Here. Clean-shaven and sane again, Phoenix finished 2010 in top form.
AP Photos
There’s far less chatter about Matt Lauer than some of his colleagues in television news, but 2010 was the year the Today anchor broke through (and looked great doing it). His interviews with Carl Paladino, George W. Bush, and Angelina Jolie revealed what New York magazine called his “secret ninja.” His $13 million-a-year contract is up in 2011. Memo to NBC: He’s worth every penny.
Evan Agostini / AP Photo; Ben Hider / Getty Images
Forget Kate and Wills for the moment. The royal wedding of 2010 was Chelsea Clinton’s summer fete in Rhinebeck. The event captured national attention for weeks, not least because the first daughter, brutally teased during her time in the White House, reemerged on the scene looking, dare we say, hot? In the run-up to the grand affair she was seen spinning, sneaking into designers’ studios, and gently demanding that her father shed some weight.
Newscom; Getty Images
At first we were worried the box-office success of Date Night and Megamind would go to Tina Fey’s head. Instead it seems to have gone to her wardrobe. The once frumpy Fey stepped out looking like a legit fashionista this year, swanning down one red carpet after another. As long as Liz Lemon never changes, we’re happy.
Retna; Getty Images
The private sector has done wonders for the former White House social secretary, who started 2010 in a mess of trouble for somehow letting the slimy Salahis sneak into the Obamas’ first state dinner (and for wearing a fairly tragic Comme des Garcons gown to the affair). Rogers left in the wake of the scandal and has since flourished, taking in shows at New York Fashion Week, consulting with Vogue and Vanity Fair, and becoming CEO of Johnson Publishing. If Anna Wintour thinks you’re a “rock star,” you’re having a pretty good year.
AP Photo; Getty Images
The scarily smart child actor, star of the Twilight saga and The Runaways, has been acting since her second trimester. 2010 brought just more fawning attention, more spectacular star roles. She’s the youngest person ever to be nominated for a Screen Actors Guild award. Lately she’s been stepping out in Rodarte, looking younger than ever. Wait—there’s a second one?
Getty Images (2)
