Well, it was another eventful year in the tabloids, at the awards shows, on television, and on the charts. Some people came out of nowhere, seemingly doing nothing or just getting lucky, while others have worked their butt off and have earned every little bit of success they received this year. A little bit of reality TV trash mixed with pure art combined with talent and a hot splash of sexy, and you’ve got my 2009 list of the Top 10 People That Had An Exceptional 2009.

10. Nicole “Snooki” Polizzi

Okay, the list says that they’ve had an exceptional year, not necessarily that they’ve done anything exceptional or that they’re extra special. She’s on the list because all it’s taken is a few drunk episodes in front of a camera, and now she’s one of the stars of a hit reality show, Jersey Shore. She may have gotten punched by some jerk at a bar, that is now paying the price for his actions, but she’s already been spoofed on SNL, been on Jay Leno, and the show is only 4 episodes in. Little did she know that when she signed up for the show that she’d be on Jay Leno or partying it up with The Hills star Kristin Cavallari over the holidays. Usually with these types of shows, they’re filmed ahead of time, and then MTV picks it up if they’re interested in it. They don’t know going into it that’s its going to be as big as it is. Same thing that happened with Peak Season in Canada. And, type in Snooki, her nickname, in Google, and there she is!

9. Levi Johnston

Sarah Palin’s daughter’s baby daddy. It’s kind of a stretch to think that he’d be where he’s at considering he’s not even Palin blood, but he’s been filming commercials, visiting all the entertainment shows, and most importantly, headlined a recent Playgirl issue. Who knew that this no-name from Alaska would be known by everyone in America, even some considering him a gay icon (which I don’t get), and have him being the hearthrob of many peeps (male and female alike) that are into the small town hockey jocks. Although the Playgirl shots we’re full frontal, or even that great, he’s milked it for all it’s worth and has made a “name” for himself by simply opening up his mouth and taking his clothes off. Hot.

8. Kristin Cavallari

Although arleady semi-famous for her being the bitch girl on the pre-The Hills reality show, Laguna Beach, Kristin really has upped her game as the lead in the hit MTV series, The Hills. There was SO much build up to her joining the show with the tagline, “The Bitch Is Back,” and there were so many that threatened to not watch the show because of her evil ways. Well, the first few episodes were okay and she didn’t disappoint in creating drama, but the show itself hasn’t been all that great this season and several “characters” are leaving. Doesn’t matter for Kristin though, as she’s the lead and making almost $100,000 an episode, for simply partying and pretending to date people. What a life.

7. Ellen Degeneres

Ellen’s on top of the world these days, and she’d probably be closer to one on the list, had her marriage not been revoked. She’s loved by all of America, she’s out of the closet, and she dominates daytime television. Earlier this year, she also announced that she’d be joining American Idol to replace Paula Abdul, thus joining a television show that dominated evening television. Her biggest competition in daytime television announced that she’d be quitting her show next year (as did Tyra Banks – not really competition though) which means that Ellen will keep propellin’!

6. Beyonce

Her quest for world domination continues. You know, she’s been doing so well for so long, that I thought with Rihanna’s amazing last few years that she wouldn’t necessarily be dominating the scene anymore. I was wrong. I’d say this year it’s her and Lady Gaga both, but Beyonce’s got a lot of other things going for her too. She and Jay Z combined are pretty much among the top earners in Hollywood and her video & accompanying dance for Single Ladies became a worldwide phenomenon.

5. Taylor Swift

Award, hot boyfriend, award, award, hot boyfriend, award, etc. This sweetheart of a teenage country singer was on top of the music scene this year, receiving several awards, being the victim of douchebag Kanye’s ridiculous comments (thus receiving tons of support from everyone backing her up), and selling tons of albums. She also recently co-hosted Saturday Night Live, so you know you’re doing well when you’re invited to do that! Last but not least, and the subject of the next person on the list, her hot boyfriend Taylor Lautner. This lucky biotch gets to tap that! He may not be legal (yet), but he’s so sexy he should be illegal! Go Taylors!

4. Taylor Lautner

Speak of the devil. This martial artist hit it bigtime by getting to be one of the stars of the Twilight saga movies as Jacob Black. He’s been on the cover of Men’s Health this year for his “hot physique,” on top of other magazines, and he too got to host SNL earlier this month as well, where he got to show off his martial arts and comedic side! This youngster has his whole career ahead of him, a great body, a pretty dope girlfriend, and a huge fanbase. I’m still crossing my fingers that he’s gay. Come, join us me, Taylor!

3. Jane Lynch

Alright, this insanely funny woman (who also happens to like women) has been around for quite some time but this year hit it big with Glee, among a few other projects (Role Models, Party Down, etc.). I also had the opportunity of interviewing her back in April in LA, where she mentioned she was working on a show called Glee…but little did we both know what a huge success it’d turn out to be! She’s pretty much everyone’s favorite on the show and is nominated for a Golden Globe for her works as well! I love that she’s out of the closet and also active in the gay community, as a board member of the LA Gay & Lesbian Center. I’m a fan of Jane Lynch! Keep it up – you deserve it!

2. Lady Gaga

I really don’t have to say much here do I? She’s broken so many records for hit singles, has come out with outside of the box music videos, costumes, and her whole approach to her celebrity has totally been embraced. She’s a true artist. The show she puts on during her current tour is also out of this world. She performs live but again, all of the visuals and outfits are so artistic that she is on such a different level than other artists. When people say that you’re the new Madonna, you know you’ve had a good year.

1. Susan Boyle

From random frumpy Scottish village lady, to worldwide superstar! After she appeared on Britain’s Got Talent on the 11th of April 2009, singing “I Dreamed a Dream” from Les Misérables, her world was changed forever. Her audition/performance on the show tops YouTube’s most viewed videos for 2009. She released an album in November that has been doing amazingly on the Billboard charts. She ended the year off with a bang: On December 13th, Susan appeared in her own television special called “I Dreamed a Dream: the Susan Boyle Story”, which featuring a duet with her musical hero Elaine Paige. The ratings were through the roof… 10 million viewers in the UK and in America was the TV Guide Network’s highest rated television special in its history! Wowsers! Rumor has it that she’s been invited to perform for Michell Obama’s birthday on January 17th, 2010…which would be a great kick start to next year, don’t you think? What an amazing story.

Related Stories:
• 67th Annual Golden Globe Award Nominations
• 2009’s Most Watched YouTube Videos
• 5 Defining Remixes of 2009