Taylor Swift tops Forbes celebrity rich-list
Pop princess Taylor Swift has been crowned the world’s highest-earning celebrity, according to Forbes’ annual celebrity rich-list.
The Shake It Off hitmaker, who released her fifth studio album in 2014, earned a staggering $170 million between June 2015 and June 2016.
The 26-year-old singer-songwriter earned just $80 million in the previous 12 month period.
Swift’s world tour to promote the album, 1989, drew in a quarter of a billion dollars, while the singer also has megabucks promo deals with Diet Coke and Apple.
Last year, ‘1989 World Tour’ earned more than $200m (£154m) alone.
The star’s ex-boyfriend, Scottish DJ and super-producer Calvin Harris is in 21st spot with $63m (£48.4m) but there is no place for current beau Tom Hiddleston.
Other top 10 earners include One Direction at number two with $110m (£84.6m), actor-comedian Kevin Hart at number six with $87.5m (£67.3m) and US radio DJ Howard Stern at number seven with $85m (£65.4m).
Pop star Katy Perry, who pop star boasts the highest follower count on Twitter as of the beginning of July, is at number 63 with $41m (£31.5m).
Magazine editor Zack O’Malley Greenberg said live entertainment continues to be a major cash draw.
“From soccer games in Spain to concerts in China, fans are willing to shell out to see big names – and this is driving the celebrity economy to ever greater heights,” he said in a statement.
On the Hollywood front, Jennifer Lawrence was Tinseltown’s highest-paid actress for the second consecutive year, earning $46m (£35.1m.
Top 10 highest-paid celebrities
1. Taylor Swift – $170m (£130m)
2. One Direction – $110m (£84.6m)
3. James Patterson (Author) – $95m (£72.3m)
4. Dr Phil McGraw (US TV personality) and Cristiano Ronaldo – $88m (£67m)
6. Kevin Hart – $87.5m (£66.6m)
7. Howard Stern – $85m (£65.4m)
8. Lionel Messi – $81.5m (£62.1m)
9. Adele – $80.5m (£61.9m)
10. Rush Limbaugh (US entertainer) – $79m (£60.1m)
