The "Rolling in the Deep" hitmaker emerged as the clear winner in the Associated Press survey, in which editors were asked to name the person who most influenced entertainment and culture in the past 12 months.
The British singer's multiple wins at the Grammy Awards and a Golden Globe nomination for her Bond theme Skyfall helped Adele beat other fan favorites Taylor Swift, "Gangnam Style" rapper Psy, "Fifty Shades of Grey" author E.L. James and the cast of the "Twilight" franchise, including Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattinson and Taylor Lautner, to claim the title.
