Singer Beyoncé Knowles, 32, nabbed the top spot on Forbes’s annual list. Photo: Carlo Allegri/ReutersUS pop singer Beyoncé, basketball player LeBron James and record producer and rapper Dr Dre headed Forbes’ list of the world’s most powerful celebrities.
With estimated earnings of $115 million over the past 12 months and a string of chart hits, Beyoncé, 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 number 10 in 2013 to number five.
The top 10 spots included five men and five women.
Forbes credited Beyoncé’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 number eight and Katy Perry at number nine.
“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 Beyoncé, 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.
James, 29, jumped from 16th place last year to number two. 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.
The superstar played 95 shows, bringing in an average of $2.4 million
But the most impressive rise on the list was number three’s Dr Dre, born as Andre Romelle Young. He earned $620 million in 2014, and climbed from the 63rd spot he occupied 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 had done in the history of its list.
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 number 13, actor 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.