Barbara Walters Names Most Fascinating People: 9 Guesses for Her Number 1

There's a reason Justin Bieber made the list of the most searched people of 2013 — he was everywhere this year, from spraying graffiti in Brazil to getting a lift up the Great Wall of China. The vast majority of the star's coverage wasn't exactly positive, but the list says most fascinating, not most-liked, and Bieber definitely made 2013 pretty interesting.

If Bullock is Walters' top pick, it'll be a double whammy; just last week, the actress was named Entertainment Weekly 's Entertainer of the Year. Two major titles would be a lot for anyone, but for Bullock, a much-loved star who earned raves (and talks of Oscar) this year for her work in Gravity and The Heat, it would only be fitting.

Prince George is already on the list, so it only makes sense that his mom would tag along. The fact that Middleton also grazed the cover of nearly every major magazine this year probably doesn't hurt her chances, either.

Michele has been a star for years thanks to Glee, but she gained even bigger fame when her boyfriend and co-star Cory Monteith unexpectedly passed away in July. Michele has given a few interviews since then, but a sit-down with Walters would be the most-viewed, as well as the most important, talk she's given since Monteith's death. The actress certainly didn't want to earn her spot on this list of potentials, but unfortunately, she's a strong candidate for Most Fascinating.

New Jersey governor Chris Christie handily won re-election in November, solidifying his chances as a 2016 Republican presidential nominee. The next few years will undoubtedly be even more eventful for the politician, but his 2013 was certainly fascinating enough to make the list.

When's the last time a 16-year-old topped the Billboard charts for nine straight weeks? Oh right, never. Lorde, the teenage New Zealander with a soul-filled voice and scarily smart lyrics, has broken barriers and exceeded expectations ever since her first single, "Royals," was released on the radio. In just a few short months, she's become a global phenomenon, thanks to her enormous talent, unusual look, and feminist attitude. Whether she makes Walters' list or not, she's certainly one of our most interesting people of the year.

While this is definitely the most unlikely choice for Walters' pick, due to the fact that Bynes is currently undergoing treatment for psychiatric illness, it would certainly make sense. The former teen superstar made headlines this year for her highly-retweetable Twitter rants, frequent legal troubles, and months-long hospitalization.

One would think that after getting shot in the head, a person would spend the rest of the year laying low in recovery — but not Malala. The 16-year-old, who was the victim of a Taliban-led assassination attempt last October, spent 2013 speaking to the United Nations, co-writing a memoir, and being short-listed for the Nobel Peace Prize. Whether or not she's named to Walters' list, there's no doubt in anyone's mind that Malala has had an enormous influence this year.