Headliners: 2011

2011. Ah, what a year. From newsworthy arrests to downgraded stocks, it's been a wild ride and not one we're likely to forget. Although it's not over yet, we thought we'd recognize the few news articles and hot topics that really made our year memorable.

• MOST WANTED- James 'Whitey' Bulger: After 16 years on the F.B.I.'s "Most Wanted list", "Whitey" was captured this year along with his girlfriend in Santa Monica, California. Wanted for several charges (including racketeering, murder, conspiracy and narcotics distribution), the 82 year old former mobster is spending his days awaiting trial in Plymouth, Massachusetts. 

• MOST CHANGED SINCE FRESHMAN YEAR THEIR CAREER TOOK OFF- Lindsay Lohan: If there's one thing that Lindsay Lohan never learned, it's that life is supposed to get better after high school. Maybe if she'd had the experience of facing mean girls instead of becoming one, everything from her minor car crashes in 2004 to her "accidental" jewelry theft earlier this year would be but a mere figment of the imagination. However, money can't buy you happiness and Lindsay has sure seen her fair share of unhappy moments this year from her brief stints in jail to community service hours and court dates.

• BEST SMILE- Lea Michele: She's the actress that puts the "glee" into the FOX channel sensation and wows the red carpet on a regular basis. Since 2009, Lea Michele has become a  Hollywood sweetheart with her warm smile and advocacy for gay and animal rights. As good as 2011 was for Lea, we have a feeling that 2012 has already had an early and sparkly beginning with her role in the "New Year's Eve" motion picture.

• BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS WEDDING PARTY MEMBER- 'The grumpy flower girl': It may have been Duchess Kate Middleton's sister Pippa who "ruled" as most glamorous royal sister on April 29th but 3-year-old Lady Grace van Cutsem stole the show with her flower-framed pout atop Buckingham Palace's balcony. Not a fan of military fly-bys or her godfather's romantic moments with his new bride, its hard to not think of the royal nuptials without remembering Lady Grace's little face peering over the balcony.

• MOST INFLUENTIAL- The Arab Spring: While the world credits the United States with taking down one of the most evil men in history this year, its the Arab Spring movement that sparked a revolution around the world. December 2010 marked the beginning of what would be a new order for the Arab world from Algeria to Yemen and since that time, the world has kept a watchful eye on the shift of power in the Middle East.

• CLASS CLOWN- Charlie Sheen: Remember that kid in class who always made the jokes but took them just far enough that it made you uneasy? We're guessing that Charlie Sheen was that kid minus  the strong-willed (or -handed) adult to steer him clear of the wildness that would later set in. Gone are the days when we might follow the words of Jewel and "learn love from Charlie Sheen" but at least we're a year from his 2011 fall from grace. According to IMDb, there are a few projects in post-production featuring Mr. Sheen that might just "Catchfire"and aren't "Rated X".

• BEST DRESSED- Fashion's Night Out: In 2011, 18 countries participated in what was the biggest international exchange in the fashion industry. Cities from Australia to the United States hosted fashion shows and other gala events that were sponsored by industry businesses and designers such as VOGUE International. The informational website boasts "with stores in more than 250 cities across the country and more than 1,000 retailers in NYC alone, FNO was bigger and better than ever before". (Want to get ahead so as not to miss the festivities and year-round promotions? Visit here! )

• MOST OUTSPOKEN- London riots: Another national movement that took the media by storm this year was the rioting in London. Stemming from a police reaction to a peaceful protest march on August 6th, widespread looting and arson plagued the borough of Tottenham for four straight days and led to the 3,100 arrests, five deaths and over a dozen injuries. Those who heeded the travel warnings of the several countries that issued them, and explored the riots through the media would discover riots described by one journalist as "the worst disturbances of their kind since the 1995 Brixton riots". If nothing else, this year was a lively one and we think that the London riots, while possibly "shameful", brought awareness to social issues that otherwise might have gone unnoticed.

• MOST LIKELY TO SUCCEED- Beyonce: Just when it seems that things can't get any better for the "Queen Bee", Ms. Sasha Fierce acquired new management (herself), recorded and released a new album ("4") and announced that she and husband, Jay-Z, are expecting their first child this year. Additionally, Ms. Knowles was identified by Forbes as the eighth "Best Paid Celebrity Under 30" in June. With all that under her belt, the hard-working, soon-to-be mama has set herself up for a very comfortable 2012.

• LIFE OF THE PARTY- Rebecca Black: Okay, we kid, but seriously, we give this girl props. Who knew that a song so bad could be such a sensation? With 167 million hits, the (un)popular party tune inspired everything from hashtags to video spoofs (and unfortunately a few death threats). Thanks to YouTube and various social media outlets, 'Friday' took off like a 14 year old after last period on, well, a 'Friday'...

• MOST LIKELY TO SUCCEED POSTHUMOUSLY- Amy Winehouse: On July 26th the world bid farewell to possibly one of the last true soul crooners of the modern era. After her struggle with relationships, substance abuse, mental health issues, violence, legal troubles and respiratory problems, Amy Winehouse succumbed to the demons that had plagued her career and personal life. However, as fans across the world saw their "Tears Dry", a charitable organization was assembled in her memory "to support charitable activities [around the world]...that provide help... to young people...who are in need by reason of ill health, disability, financial disadvantage or addiction". This organization helps to heal the "Body and Soul" of those in need and helps the spirit of Amy live on with one of the most honorable claims to fame there is.

What made your year? Comment, friend or tweet us (@COSMOpolitique) with your favorite 2011 memories!

Oh, and Happy New Year!

Love,
COSMOpolitique