The Most Fascinating People of 2003

Dec. 18, 2003 — -- Retired Army Gen. Tommy Franks topped the list of the year's most fascinating people, which also included a quintet of stylish gay men who offer makeovers to hopeless hetero males and a Hollywood actor who starred in the year's most dramatic political story.

Franks, 57, commanded U.S. forces in the 2001 campaign in Afghanistan, toppling the Taliban regime. In March, he commanded ground troops in the U.S.-led war in Iraq, describing the campaign as a war unlike any other in history. The U.S. troops' successful charge to Baghdad was completed in three weeks, with far fewer casualties and complications than had been expected. In July, Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld offered Franks the post of Army chief of staff — the highest job in the Army — but Franks turned it down. He retired later that month, saying he'd like to spend more time with his family. On the last day of his command, Franks told ABCNEWS, "Wherever we find criminals, death squads and so forth who are anxious to do damage to this country and to peace-loving countries around the world, I absolutely agree with the president of the United States: 'bring 'em on," Franks said.

The Fab Five

The Fab 5 from Queer Eye for the Straight Guy have skyrocketed to stardom this year with their unconventional reality show, which happens to be the highest-rated show in the history of the Bravo network.

The guys speak openly and honestly about the impact the show has made on them both personally and professionally. Kyan Douglas, the show's grooming expert, tells Walters: "Historically in our society, gay men and straight men have sort of been afraid of one another. … Growing up gay, you definitely learn that you're not safe with straight men. Straight men get the same message. … It's part of the beauty of the show, and that's why it's so interesting, because we actually learn that we don't have so much to fear from one another, that we're just human beings."

‘Beautiful, Bountiful, and Bounciful’

Pop superstar Beyoncé Knowles proved this year that she is a triple threat: singing, dancing and acting. Her first solo album, Dangerously in Love, hit No. 1 and received six Grammy nominations. Walters asks the young pop star to define the word "bootylicious," a pop culture reference she popularized with her group Destiny's Child. Beyoncé tells Walters, "Bootylicious means beautiful, bountiful and bounciful."

Martha’s Mess

Martha Stewart built a media empire out of homemaking, but she found herself in a legal mess even she couldn't tackle when the federal government began investigating her stock dealings.

Stewart, 62, will stand trial in January 2004 on charges of conspiracy, securities fraud, obstruction of justice, and making false statements. Stewart says she doesn't understand why some have relished seeing her struggle. "I don't know why people don't like me. I'm not perfect. The perception that I am perfect I think got kind of mixed up with the idea that what we're trying to teach is the best possible standard out there. So, if we're going to make a cake, Barbara, my cake can't be a flop," she told Walters. "People won't watch my show if I make a flop. I'm not a comedy show. I'm a how-to show."

Onstage Tragedy

Siegfried Fischbacher, whose partner, Roy Horn, was mauled during their legendary Las Vegas act.Siegfried tells Walters he thinks Roy suffered a stroke and Montecore, a 400-pound white tiger, acted to protect Roy. According to Siegfried, the tiger did not attack him. Siegfried says: "If Montecore would attack him, in two seconds, Roy would not be here."

A Woman in Demand

From her Oscar-winning performance in The Hours to her riveting portrayal in the upcoming Civil War epic Cold Mountain, Nicole Kidman has established herself as one of Hollywood's hottest box-office and critical properties. There is already Oscar buzz for her to take home yet another gold statue for Cold Mountain. Walters asks Kidman about her incredibly busy schedule this year, making film after film. Kidman says: "It is my life at the moment. I don't see it as work. It's a joy for me. And when it isn't, I won't do it anymore."

Tough Decisions

During her eight years in the White House with husband Bill Clinton, Hillary Clinton proved to be an extraordinarily polarizing first lady. She drew nearly as much scrutiny as her husband did during the scandal surrounding his affair with White House intern Monica Lewinsky. Mrs. Clinton described the time as the most painful in her life, and shared her feelings about her husband's infidelity in an exclusive interview with Walters and a best-selling book, Living History. Clinton, now the junior senator from New York, tells Walters, "The most difficult decisions I have made in my life were to stay married to Bill and to run for the Senate from New York."

Hollywood and Politics

Politics and Hollywood have always had a close relationship, but California's historic recall of Democratic Gov. Gray Davis really brought it home.

Actor Arnold Schwarzenegger launched his campaign to be governor on the Tonight Show and won the contest decisively in a race that drew headlines around the globe. Walters has been asking Schwarzenegger about his political ambitions for years. During their last interview, Walters asked him if he would have wanted to run for president, had he not been born in Austria. He responded: "I would have liked to be the leader of the world."

The Chosen One

Every year there is a "chosen one" in sports.

This year it was 18-year-old NBA newcomer LeBron James. Before he even played one professional basketball game, this No. 1 draft pick was being offered millions of dollars in endorsement deals. Today those deals total over $100 million. James makes it clear he appreciates the importance of his roots, being raised by a single mom in Akron, Ohio. He says: "I'm blessed. I had a God-given talent and I'm using it the best way I can, and that's being good on the court and off the court."

‘Bennifer’

Public interest in the private romance of Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez hasn't died down since Hollywood's hot couple called off their wedding three months ago, citing unwanted publicity. While Affleck maintains he and Lopez are still an item, the couple won't say whether they'll be walking down the aisle anytime soon.

Come back to ABCNEWS.com on Thursday morning to learn who was chosen as "The Most Fascinating Person of 2003."