Thakur
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U.S. pop singer Beyonce, basketball player
LeBron James and record producer and rapper
Dr. Dre headed Forbes' list of the world's most
powerful celebrities released on Monday.
With estimated earnings of $115 million over
the past 12 months and a string of chart hits,
Beyonce, 32, nabbed the top spot on the
annual list, pushing entertainment mogul
Oprah, 60, from first place last year into
fourth, while TV talk show host Ellen
DeGeneres, 56, jumped from No. 10 in 2013 to
No. 5.
The top 10 spots included five men and five
women.
Forbes credited Beyonce's massive concert
tour for pushing her into the top spot ahead
of her husband, rapper Jay Z, who ranked
sixth, and singers Rihanna at No. 8 and Katy
Perry at No. 9.
"The superstar played 95 shows, bringing in an
average of $2.4 million," said Forbes, referring
to figures from Pollstar, which covered the
concert industry.
Along with her latest hit album "Beyonce,"
which was released late last year, she earned
millions from endorsement deals and her
clothing line, and last week she kicked off her
first world tour with Jay Z.
Although Beyonce was not the highest earner
on the list, her presence in the press and on
social media assured her the top spot.
James, 29, who last week opted out of his NBA
contract with the Miami Heat team, jumped
from 16th place last year to No. 2. He earned
an estimated $72 million thanks to his
performance on the basketball court,
endorsement deals and the sale of headphone
maker Beats Electronics to iPhone-maker Apple
Inc for $3 billion. James was a small part-
owner of the business.
But the most impressive rise on the list was
No. 3's Dr. Dre, born as Andre Romelle Young.
He earned $620 million in 2014, and climbed
from the 63rd spot in 2013.
Forbes said the 49-year-old co-founder of
Beats with music executive Jimmy Iovine,
earned more money in the past 12 months
than any other person in the history of its list.
Forbes compiled its 15th annual list by
estimating pre-tax earnings from June 1, 2013
to 2014 from tours, books, contracts,
endorsements, movies and residuals.
Fame and influence is gauged by how often
celebrities appeared in the media and the
impact they had on the entertainment industry
and culture. Forbes also used StarCount, which
looks at 11 social media platforms including
Facebook, Twitter and YouTube, to determine
presence in social media.
While Forbes said the list measured global
influence, those on it were mostly American.
Music producer and "Happy" singer Pharrell
Williams was a newcomer to this year's list at
No. 38, along with Grammy winner Bruno
Mars at No. 13, actors Bradley Copper (48)
and best actor Oscar-winner Matthew
McConaughey who was 52.
Singer Madonna, retired soccer star David
Beckham, actresses Kristin Stewart and Charlize
Theron, property developer Donald Trump and
actors Alec Baldwin, Tom Cruise and Adam
Sandler were among the celebrities who
dropped off the list this year.
LeBron James and record producer and rapper
Dr. Dre headed Forbes' list of the world's most
powerful celebrities released on Monday.
With estimated earnings of $115 million over
the past 12 months and a string of chart hits,
Beyonce, 32, nabbed the top spot on the
annual list, pushing entertainment mogul
Oprah, 60, from first place last year into
fourth, while TV talk show host Ellen
DeGeneres, 56, jumped from No. 10 in 2013 to
No. 5.
The top 10 spots included five men and five
women.
Forbes credited Beyonce's massive concert
tour for pushing her into the top spot ahead
of her husband, rapper Jay Z, who ranked
sixth, and singers Rihanna at No. 8 and Katy
Perry at No. 9.
"The superstar played 95 shows, bringing in an
average of $2.4 million," said Forbes, referring
to figures from Pollstar, which covered the
concert industry.
Along with her latest hit album "Beyonce,"
which was released late last year, she earned
millions from endorsement deals and her
clothing line, and last week she kicked off her
first world tour with Jay Z.
Although Beyonce was not the highest earner
on the list, her presence in the press and on
social media assured her the top spot.
James, 29, who last week opted out of his NBA
contract with the Miami Heat team, jumped
from 16th place last year to No. 2. He earned
an estimated $72 million thanks to his
performance on the basketball court,
endorsement deals and the sale of headphone
maker Beats Electronics to iPhone-maker Apple
Inc for $3 billion. James was a small part-
owner of the business.
But the most impressive rise on the list was
No. 3's Dr. Dre, born as Andre Romelle Young.
He earned $620 million in 2014, and climbed
from the 63rd spot in 2013.
Forbes said the 49-year-old co-founder of
Beats with music executive Jimmy Iovine,
earned more money in the past 12 months
than any other person in the history of its list.
Forbes compiled its 15th annual list by
estimating pre-tax earnings from June 1, 2013
to 2014 from tours, books, contracts,
endorsements, movies and residuals.
Fame and influence is gauged by how often
celebrities appeared in the media and the
impact they had on the entertainment industry
and culture. Forbes also used StarCount, which
looks at 11 social media platforms including
Facebook, Twitter and YouTube, to determine
presence in social media.
While Forbes said the list measured global
influence, those on it were mostly American.
Music producer and "Happy" singer Pharrell
Williams was a newcomer to this year's list at
No. 38, along with Grammy winner Bruno
Mars at No. 13, actors Bradley Copper (48)
and best actor Oscar-winner Matthew
McConaughey who was 52.
Singer Madonna, retired soccer star David
Beckham, actresses Kristin Stewart and Charlize
Theron, property developer Donald Trump and
actors Alec Baldwin, Tom Cruise and Adam
Sandler were among the celebrities who
dropped off the list this year.
