14 DAY TRIAL // She's talented, she's cute and she's loved by millions of fans around the world, which is precisely why country singer Taylor Swift has just topped Forbes' annual list of highest paid celebrities under 30.
Between May 2011 and May 2012, Taylor made no less than $57 million (€46.5 million), which puts her in the lead, at a safe distance from this year's number 2, Justin Bieber, who earned “only” $55 million (€44.9 million).
Then again, Justin is also 4 years younger than Taylor, so that should be taken into consideration as well.
Dorothy Pomerantz, who analyzed all the figures and comprised the Forbes list, tells the New York Daily News that Swift embodies “youth, innocence and the struggle of being a teen.”
In other words, she offers her fans both something they can relate to and something to aspire to, which explains her incredible popularity.
This year's number 3, Rihanna, who made $53 million (€43.2 million), is the typical “edgy bad girl” who is young, gorgeous and ready to get the party started whenever wherever.
“We’re seeing this confluence of talented young female stars. They have such distinct personalities and sounds, they can all co-exist without cannibalizing each other,” Pomerantz says.
At number 4, we find the reigning Mother Monster, the 26-year-old Lady Gaga, who earned $52 million (€42.4 million) last year and is, obviously, one of the most beloved and talked about celebrities of our times.
Katy Perry rounds up the top 5 of Forbes' list, which is entirely comprised of women except for Bieber, with $45 million (€36.7 million), followed at some distance by Brit singer Adele, with $35 million (€28.5 million).
Come to think of it, the bottom part of the top 10 might as well be dedicated to the “Twilight” juggernaut: Kristen Stewart, who plays mortal girl turned stunning vampire Bella, is at number 7, with $34.5 million (€28.1 million).
Her co-stars Taylor Lautner and Robert Pattinson land in at number 9 and 10, both with $26.5 million (€21.6 million).
Number 8 goes to 29-year-old rapper Lil Wayne, who earned $27 million (€22.05 million) in the course of a single year.