New York pop sensation Lady Gaga has been recognised by US publication Time Magazine as one of the world’s most influential people, in their latest ‘Time 100’ list.

The 24-year-old star (born Stefani Germanotta) ranks aside political heavyweights President Barack Obama (who came in fourth overall) and Brazil’s leader Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva in the countdown, the “Telephone” singer ranking in the top place in the ‘artists’ section. She beat out other luminaries including TV host Conan O’Brien, Oscar winning director Kathryn Bigelow, and daytime TV queen Oprah Winfrey.

Gaga might be influential, but for others her music is simply annoying. A fan in Britain has been taken to court by angry neighbours who are sick of hearing the platinum blonde’s songs at high volume. Brighton-based Coral Perrin, 19, was fined AUS$367 after she admitted she failed to comply with a noise abatement order, while she also has to cough up $436 in legal costs. One neighbour was so sick of hearing Gaga being blasted out of Perrin’s home that they told the court they were forced to sleep in their shed.

Finally, Aussie actor Russell Crowe has just revealed that he’s also a fan. “Oddly enough, I’ve discovered Lady Gaga,” Crowe told Inquirer.net. “She is a really significant talent. I was probably swayed by the disco versions of her songs. But then I came across an online thing with her just sitting on the piano and singing. Holy guacamole, man, she has a fantastic voice.”