Welcome to our annual #legend100 issue. This year, more than ever before, I’ve been struck by the responses given by our #legend100 community when asked what influence means to them. It seems our cohort of singers, actors, comedians, fashionistas and more are united by their desire to bring joy and relief to their followers through their art form, whatever the platform.

This has given me, and the #legend team, pause to reflect on and appreciate the way sincerity and determination bring only one’s best for one’s audience, in possibly one of the greatest acts of kindness there is. There is perhaps nobody more emblematic of this act of giving than beloved diva and pop icon CoCo Lee, who was a trailblazer in her field. The Hong Kong singer was the first and only person of Chinese descent to perform at the Academy Awards as well as an award-winning, record- breaking artist with over 25 albums to her name. In this issue, we present an eight-page tribute to CoCo’s incredible life. You’ll find that the global star didn’t only touch fans with her oeuvre – this was a given, as so many of us grew up with Lee’s music – but she also inspired legions of singers, all the while helping others through personal acts of kindness as well as her involvement in groups such as UNICEF, YouthAIDS, the Make-A-Wish Foundation and the Organisation for World Peace.

Because of this, we were cognisant to curate an issue that highlights creatives in different fields who also work hard to bring a sense of joy to their fans. From our cover star, Thai actress Baifern, whose daring choices in the roles she plays brought awareness to the transgender community; to make-up mogul Huda Kattan, who leveraged her skills as a make-up artist and her understanding of what was needed in the beauty market through her blog to create a wildly successful make-up brand that tries to help people express themselves through cosmetics.

You’ll also find stories about Audemars Piguet’s dedication to music through its support of the legendary Montreux Jazz Festival, which has brought the likes of Aretha Franklin, Freddie Mercury, Prince and the Rolling Stones to the tiny Swiss town. This year’s line-up boasts performances by Bob Dylan, Lionel Richie and a full day curated by Mark Ronson.

In our dining section, we feature restaurants that are elevating traditional fare, like Wing Lei Palace at the Wynn Macau. We also bring you to the hills of Italy, where we test drive not one but two of Maserati’s newest vehicles, one of which is an electric car but with all the verve and horsepower of what we’ve come to expect from the iconic Italian brand. And, of course, when it comes to dedication and craft, there’s perhaps no better nation to spotlight than Japan and no better hotel group than Aman.

This is an issue that we’ve put together with the same earnestness we’re celebrating and my hope is that it moves you in the same way that it has me.

Also see: #editor’s letter: It’s our party, we can do what we want