Taylor Swift is this year’s highest-paid woman in music, Forbes revealed Wednesday in its annual World’ Highest-Paid Women in Music list.
The country-turned-pop singer pulled in US$170 million, which was more than double than the second-highest-paid singer on the list – Adele (US$80.6 million).
However, unlike Swift and others on the list, Adele makes most of her money through album sales.
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According to Forbes, the bulk of Swift’s earnings came from her 1989 Tour, which grossed over a quarter of a billion dollars. Her endorsements for brands like Keds, Diet Coke and Apple also contributed.
“She has been building her fan base for years, and that fan base crosses multiple market segments,” entertainment attorney Lori Landew of Fox Rothschild told Forbes. “It’s this ability to appeal to younger and older audiences, and those in between, that makes Taylor such a sure bet with both concert promoters and brands who want to affiliate with her and with the community she has cultivated.”
The list measures performers’ income from June 1, 2015 to June 1, 2016 before taxes and management fees and is based on data from Pollstar, Nielsen and the RIAA and interviews with managers, agents and lawyers.
Last year’s highest earner Katy Perry fell to the number six spot with US$41 million. In 2015, her Prismatic world tour generated US$135 million, The Guardian reports.
Madonna comes in at number three with US$76.5 million. A large chunk of her earnings come from her Rebel Heart tour, which grossed US$170 million.
At number four is Rihanna with US$75 million thanks to her radio play and touring, as well as endorsements with Dior, Puma, Samsung and Stance.
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Up next at number five is Beyoncé with US$54 million. Her visual album Lemonade was her sixth No. 1 album, but most of her earnings were made while out on the road, Forbes reports. However, Forbes is predicting a bigger payout for Queen B next year because of her Formation world tour.
As for the last four earners on the list – Jennifer Lopez, Britney Spears, Shania Twain and Celine Dion – their Las Vegas residencies were the main contributor to their financial standings.
See the full list of the world’s top female performers of 2016 below (all figures US dollars):
- Taylor Swift: $170 million
- Adele: $80.5 million
- Madonna: $76.5 million
- Rihanna: $75 million
- Beyoncé: $54 million
- Katy Perry: $41 million
- Jennifer Lopez: $39.5 million
- Britney Spears: $30.5 million
- Shania Twain: $27.5 million
- Celine Dion: $27 million
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