The Top Ten Most Powerful Celebrities: Beyonce Named World’s Most Powerful Celebrity

• Posted on July 3, 2014July 3, 2014
• by Kwame Vaughan
• 1 Comment

Beyonce, who earned £62m last year, has been named the world’s most powerful celebrity, knocking Oprah Winfrey off the top spot.

Forbes credited Beyonce’s massive concert tour for pushing her into the top spot ahead of her husband, rapper Jay Z, who ranked sixth.

Winfrey has dropped to fourth place in the Forbes’ list after basketball player LeBron James and record producer and rapper Dr Dre took the second and third places.

A Forbes spokesman said Beyonce played 95 shows.

Along with her latest hit album Beyonce, which was released late last year, she earned millions from endorsement deals and her clothing line.

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 second.

He earned an estimated £42m thanks to his performance on the basketball court, endorsement deals and the sale of headphone maker Beats Electronics to iPhone-maker Apple Inc for £1.7bn. James was a small part-owner of the business.

The most impressive rise on the list was Dr Dre, born as Andre Romelle Young. He earned £362m in 2014, and climbed from 63rd spot in 2013.

Forbes said the 49-year-old co-founder of Beats earned more money in the past 12 months than any other person in the history of its list.

Forbes compiled its 15th annual top 100 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.

The top 10 most powerful celebrities are:

1. Beyonce

2. LeBron James

3. Dr Dre

4. Oprah Winfrey

5. Ellen DeGeneres

6. Jay Z

7. Floyd Mayweather

8. Rihanna

9. Katy Perry

10. Robert Downey Jr