14 DAY TRIAL // For the first time in many years, the Queen of Television Oprah Winfrey has been brought down from the pedestal she was put up on each year by Forbes magazine, as the most powerful celebrity in the world. This year, the distinction goes to Hollywood actress and renowned humanitarian Angelina Jolie, with Oprah coming in second, as Forbes informs.
That Angelina is the most influential and single most famous celebrity in the world has been established by the popular magazine with the help of a sum of how much money she made in the past year, how much media she generated in the same time interval and how she was perceived by the public. With several major releases out and the ability to still move millions of issues of magazines with the help of her name alone – she rarely has to do anything to make it on the cover of glossy publications – Jolie is clearly our current number one celebrity, Forbes explains.
“She’s rich. She’s talented. She’s beautiful. And now Angelina Jolie is the most powerful celebrity in the world. Thanks to the release of several blockbuster movies and an endless sea of media buzz, Jolie has dethroned Oprah Winfrey to top this year’s Celebrity 100 list, Forbes’ annual ranking of the world’s ultra famous. Jolie raked in $27 million in the past 12 months thanks to a movie schedule that included ‘Kung Fu Panda,’ ‘Wanted’ and the not-yet-released spy thriller ‘Salt.’ Even more impressive: The publicity she garnered following the birth of her twins, as well as the consistent headlines she grabs for her philanthropic efforts and her relationship with actor Brad Pitt, who ranks No. 9 on the list.” Forbes says of the reasons that propelled Jolie from the number 3 spot she had last year to number 1.
Of course, being replaced by Jolie is not an indication of a dwindling celebrity status for Oprah, the magazine points out. “Winfrey drops to No. 2 on the list. The media maven has pocketed $275 million in the last year, making her the list’s top earner. Though viewership for her daily chat fest, The Oprah Winfrey Show, continues to erode, her earnings remain unchanged from a year ago. In addition to Winfrey’s monthly magazine, she has a three-year, $55 million deal with XM Satellite Radio. Early next year, the self-made billionaire will roll out the lifestyle-themed Oprah Winfrey Network in partnership with Discovery Communications.” Forbes states of last year’s most powerful celebrity.
The top ten of the most influential stars of our times is rounded up by Madonna, Beyonce Knowles, Tiger Woods, Bruce Springsteen, Steven Spielberg, Jennifer Aniston, Brad Pitt and Kobe Bryant. The top five highest earners for this year are Oprah, as noted above, George Lucas, Steven Spielberg, Madonna and Tiger Woods.