The end of the year is a time for reflection.

Thinking back on this year of chaos, scandals and, yes, even achievements.

Whether it's because they impressed or astonished us, shocked or inspired us, they deserve to be recognized.

Here's the dozen celebrities who made a difference this year.

Paris Hilton

"That's hot." Paris' catchphrase can be attributed to her year.

The star who is famous for being famous is apparently ready to settle down.

She recently announced she will be pregnant within two years and wants to settle down.

Well, after two seasons of The Simple Life and one in production, a jewelry line, a perfume line, a book and an upcoming album, Hilton seems ready for anything.

Jude Law

Voted "Sexiest Man Alive" by People and starring in four of the six movies he acted in this year, 2004 could definitely be renamed Year of Jude.

You have to wonder how Law had time for his blossoming romance with girlfriend Sienna Miller.

And 2005 is starting to look a lot like this one, with two films, Dexterity and All the King's Men, already in the making.

Perhaps that's the reason the couple denies rumours of marriage plans -- they don't have the time. It's just as well, as long as Jude's ring finger remains wedding band free, there's a glimmer of hope for all the single women out there.

Usher

This year, the 26-year-old actor/singer is the top musical artist, with four No. 1 hits and over 25 awards, including 11 at the Billboard Music Awards. He's also nominated for eight Grammys.

His album Confessions is the biggest selling album of 2004.

It's no surprise his new flame is top model Naomi Campbell.

Beyonce Knowles

Losing her breath must be exactly what Beyonce is doing after such a busy year of music, love and designing a clothing line.

Winning five Grammys, the 2004 Radio Music Award for Artist of the Year, and her solo album Dangerously In Love reaching triple-platinum status, who would have thought Beyonce would have time to release a new Destiny's Child album?

She also announced in September the launch of her clothing line, The House of Dereon. She and her mother have been working on the line for about a year now and it is set to hit stores in Fall 2005.

This hottie has also managed to keep her love life sizzling with hip hop guru Jay-Z.

Michael Moore

This year made Moore the most admired face among left-wing activists, and the most hated and feared faces of many Republicans, but above all, one of the most influential figures in politics. And he's not even a politician.

The release of Fahrenheit 9/11 -- the movie that, if nothing else, was thought to be the end of the Bush reign -- his campaign to essentially bring down the establishment, made for an interesting year.

Fahrenheit 9/11 is the highest grossing documentary in history, making $120 million in the U.S. alone.

Britney Spears

Unlike most of the list makers, Britney didn't make it because her career exploded, but because her career imploded.

Getting married twice, being seen walking in a gas station bathroom with bare feet, admitting to smoking and loving KFC, and finally declaring she would be happy enough to quit her showbiz career and stay home and have children gets the soon-to-be-forgotten star a spot on our list.

Jamie Foxx

The transformation from a "funny guy" who nobody takes seriously to an amazing actor (Ray, Collateral) who is praised by everyone made Foxx one of the most celebrated celebrities of the year.

Starring in four movies this year, Foxx has definitely come a long way from his In Living Color days.

Desperate Housewives

Who would have thought a group of housewives could turn prime-time TV around and beat reality TV giant Survivor for ratings?

One thing is for sure -- the show is certainly not desperate. It's now No. 1, thanks to the dark comedic lives of characters played by Nicollette Sheridan, Felicity Huffman, Marcia Cross, Eva Longoria and Teri Hatcher.

With more than 25 million viewers each week and climbing, maybe this is the beginning of the end of reality TV madness.

Teen queens

Because they could make up an entire list on their own, we had no choice but to group the teen queens.

By teen queens, we mean Hilary Duff, Lindsay Lohan, Ashlee Simpson, Avril Lavigne, the Olsen twins, and the countless others who have been taking over the airwaves and TVs.

In a nutshell, Duff made the list for her acting, singing and kids clothing line. Lohan made the list for her acting, singing and attitude, Ashlee Simpson went from the sister of a star to a household name, to a lip-synching phony. Avril started a whole wave of clones and the Olsen twins turned 18. Yes, that's right, turning 18 put them on this list and in countless headlines. (That and Mary-Kate's publicly-discussed eating disorder).

Colin Farrell

Accents are dreamy. And for Dubliner Colin Farrell, his works like a lucky charm.

Starting out as a wild, unsuspecting Irish bad-boy, Farrell has become in just three years, a leading man in Hollywood.

Notorious for being a ladies man, the Alexander star has been romantically linked to Angelina Jolie, Paris Hilton, was married to actress Amelia Warner, took Britney Spears on a date or two and had a child with model Kim Bordenave. He's now single.

Mel Gibson

Mel Gibson shocked the world this year with his film The Passion of the Christ.

He filmed, conceived and financed the $25-million bill for the movie, using no big stars and an ancient Aramaic language. But the costs of production meant nothing after the film grossed $600 million US in ticket sales.

Donald Trump

From his famous comb-over to the phrase "You're fired," the Donald has made his life of wealth public with the world's ultimate job interview, The Apprentice.

Letting the public into his world and showing off his young fiance, Trump has reached a level of fame he isn't used to.

Forbes magazine estimated Trump is worth $2.5 billion, though synonymous to his character, Trump figures he's worth more than $5 billion.