18 celebrities that made the most lasting impressions in 2017

Bryan Bedder/Getty Images for VH1

2017 is coming to an end, and now it's time to reflect on some of the people behind the most memorable moments of the past year. 

From Jordan Peele's smash hit "Get Out" to Gal Gadot making history as Wonder Woman to Serena Williams winning the Australian Open while roughly eight weeks pregnant, there have been a ton of incredible stories.

Here are 18 celebrities who made a lasting impression this year. 

Rose McGowan is one of the dozens of women who have accused Harvey Weinstein of sexual harassment or assault and has been a vocal advocate for women.

Aaron Thornton/Getty Images

Bombshell reports revealed dozens of sexual assault, harassment, and rape allegations against producer Harvey Weinstein in early October. He was merely the first in what has been an avalanche of allegations of sexual misconduct against men in Hollywood, media, and politics.

McGowan reportedly reached a $100,000 settlement with Weinstein following sexual assault allegations and accused him of rape. She has used her social media presence to speak out against the culture of sexual harassment and has stood with all of the victims coming forward. 

In a speech at the Women's Convention, she said, "I'm just like you, because what happened to me, happens to all of us in society, and that cannot stand, and it will not stand."

Cardi B dethroned Taylor Swift from the top of the Billboard charts and made Grammy history.

Gustavo Caballero/Getty Images

Born Belcalis Almanzar, the 25-year-old rapper became the first female rapper to score a No. 1 hit on the charts since Lauryn Hill in 1998. She also made Billboard history as the first woman to have her first three entries in the top 10 of the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Song chart at the same time.

Her single "Bodak Yellow" made Grammy history after earning her a nomination for rap performance, a category that has never had a woman nominated on her own. It also earned a nomination for rap song.

Selena Gomez was open about her struggles with lupus and her life-saving kidney transplant.

Aaron Thornton/Getty Images

In a September Instagram post, the 25-year-old singer revealed that she was recovering after a kidney transplant thanks to a kidney donation from her best friend, Francia Raisa.

In a TV interview, Gomez described the harrowing surgery that took six hours due to complications. The singer said the transplant made her arthritis go away and that there is a 3% to 5% chance that her lupus returns.

She was named Billboard's Woman of the Year. 

See the rest of the story at Business Insider