Rihanna has "Time" on her side

ROUGH CUT (NO REPORTER NARRATION)

STORY: Politicians, journalists, pop stars and even controversial figures make up Time Magazine's new list of the 100 most influential people in the world for 2012.

A small collection of the influential -- including actresses Tilda Swinton, Kristen Wiig and pop star Rihanna -- gathered in New York City on Tuesday (April 24) for a gala to celebrate the tribute. Rihanna called the honor surreal.

"It's a big deal. The Time 100 list, it's special, it doesn't feel real only because this is a list that I always, you know, that I always read about and I always look at and I can't believe that I am sitting in one of those 100 slots - there are so many people in the world. So it feels special," said Rihanna.

The list is broken up into five sections: moguls, breakouts, icons, pioneers and leaders. Time managing editor Rick Stengel said it's not a power list, but it's about the power of influence, and how people use what they believe in to change the world. Although technology is changing the way many operate and navigate the world, Stengel said it has very little influence on who makes the cut.

The magazine selects guest contributors to write brief bios about the honorees. Some of the groupings included Cicely Tyson on Viola Davis and Elton John on singer Raphael Saadiq.

Actress Mia Farrow made the list in 2008 and attended the gala with her son.

There are 54 international figures from 37 countries on the list. This year 38 women made the cut, which is the most in the nine year history of the list. Among the women is Spanx founder Sara Blakely, who has reshaped women around the globe with her form flattering undergarments.

Also included are several controversial figures including Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, North Korean Supreme Leader Kim Jong Un and Somali Islamic militant Sheik Moktar Ali Zubeyr.