Pop singer Lady Gaga has had one hell of a year, and now the Associated Press has topped it off by naming her their “Entertainer of the Year” for 2011.
Gaga beat out fellow artists Taylor Swift and Adele for the title, as well as other figures in pop culture, like the cast of “Harry Potter,” TV star Charlie Sheen and even late Apple founder Steve Jobs, who she reportedly beat by just 3 votes.
Over 135 ballots were submitted by news organizations that make up AP’s membership, who were asked to cast their votes on the person they believe had the most influence on entertainment and culture in the year 2011.
“I am humbled and honored to be named ‘Entertainer of The Year’ by The Associated Press,” Lady Gaga said in a statement Monday signed “Mother Monster.”
“My deepest gratitude to the broadcasters and journalists who’ve supported me over the years, and in turn, are now supporting the loves of my life: my fans. Thank you for believing in ‘Born This Way.’ May you continue to brave the dreams of Showbiz.”
Among the things voters considered when casting their votes for Gaga were her multi-platinum album “Born This Way” (released at the beginning of the year), her “Monster Ball” Tour, her Emmy Award winning HBO concert special, her “A Very Gaga Thanksgiving” TV special, which aired on ABC, and her collaborations with legends like Elton John, Cher and most recently Tony Bennett.
In addition to all of that, Gaga has also visited the White House, she performed for Bill Clinton‘s 65th birthday this year, and has over 17 million followers on Twitter.
“She gets people talking,” says Greg Retsinas, digital director of the Press Democrat of Santa Rosa, Calif. “She’s a polarizing figure not just in music and fashion but in pop culture and society. In a recent week, I heard her referenced personally by my 9-year-old daughter, a prominent local CFO and an airline pilot, all glowingly.”
Previous winners of the AP Entertainer of the Year include Betty White, Taylor Swift, Tina Fey and Stephen Colbert.
