Oprah Winfrey takes back her crown while pop chart phenomenon Lady Gaga catapults to No. 4 on this year's ranking of the richest and most powerful actors, actresses and musicans.
Earnings Increase
Despite stock market swings and a global economy that seems reluctant to restart, the earnings power of the Celebrity 100 remains remarkably resilient. The stars on our list collectively earned $4.7 billion this year, up from the $4.1 billion they banked a year earlier.
The Celebrity 100, which includes film and television actors, TV personalities, models, athletes, authors, musicians, and comedians, is a measure of entertainment-related earnings and media visibility (exposure in print, television, radio, and online). Because of the growing power of social networks, we added a social media ranking that reflects each celebrity's presence on Facebook and Twitter. The earnings consist of pre-tax income between June 1, 2009, and June 1, 2010. Management, agent, and attorney fees are not deducted.
A Gaga Debut
Lady Gaga catapults onto our list, ranking ahead of much more established pop stars like Madonna (No. 10) and U2 (No. 7). She has a 106-date world tour and her willingness to partner with corporations like Virgin Mobile and Polaroid to thank for an estimated $62 million in earnings. What's more, her fame and theatricality have brought her gobs of press coverage, while her music videos have made her something of an Internet sensation. Proof: The fashion-forward rocker ranks first for social media and Web presence among the Forbes Celebrity 100.
Gaga is also the list's top-ranked newcomer, leading a group that includes the Black Eyed Peas ($48 million), O'Brien ($38 million), and "Twilight" co-stars Pattinson and Stewart. Pattinson comes in at No. 50 with estimated earnings of $17 million, while Stewart, who is working on fewer non-"Twilight" projects, comes in at No. 66 with a $12 million haul.
TOP 10
1. OPRAH WINFREY - $315 million
2. BEYONCE - $ 87 million
3. JAMES CAMERON - $210 million
4. LADY GAGA - $62 million
5. TIGER WOODS - $105 million
6. BRITNEY SPEARS - $64 million
7. U2 - $130 million
8. SANDRA BULLOCK - $56 million
9. JOHNNY DEPP $75 million
10. MADONNA - $58 million
Just missing the top 10 was former "American Idol" judge Simon Cowell, who earned $80 million and is No. 11 on the list. The highest-ranking country music artist is Taylor Swift, who comes in right after Cowell and earned $45 million. She bested Miley Cyrus, No. 13 with $48 million.
After Cameron, the highest film director on the list is Steven Spielberg, who earned $100 million and is No. 22.
In the land of TV talk -- beyond Winfrey -- Dr. Phil McGraw (No. 21) beats Ellen DeGeneres (No. 23), and David Letterman (No. 24) beats Jay Leno (No. 34). Conan O'Brien is No. 51.
Last year's top choice, Jolie, fell to No. 18 with $20 million earned. Boyfriend Brad Pitt is No. 30, and his ex-wife, Jennifer Aniston, is No. 26.
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