« Back to article | Print this article |
Here's looking at the top 10 earners of the year.
Country singer Taylor Swift, 22, missed the top spot by a narrow margin.
She made $57 million this year.
The 22-year-old country crossover has been on a non-stop promo tour for her new album, Red, which went triple platinum in less than a month.
The Rude Boy Barbadian hitmaker, 24, figures at number three with $54 million in earnings.
To create the list, Forbes looked at income from record sales, touring, endorsements, merchandise, and other ventures.
Lady Gaga, who's currently gearing up to perform along side the Rolling Stones in the concert marking the band's 50th anniversary, is placed at number four in the list.
The avant-garde popstar made $52 million in earnings.
California girls singer Katy Perry, who along side Adele has been long-listed for an Oscar in the original song category, has yet another feather in her cap.
The 28-year-old pop sensation is at number five in the Forbes list with $45 million in earnings.
R&B diva Beyonce, who'd been on a break ever since her daughter Blue Ivy Carter was born earlier this year, has recently come out with a documentary on her life.
While the jury is out on it, the singer finds her place of pride at number six in this lst with $40 million in earnings.
This has been an exceptionally good year for British crooner Adele.
It started with an astounding six wins at the Grammys in February, a song in the latest James Bond flick Skyfall and the birth of her first child in October.
Adele made $35 million in the past year.
Another British artist on the list, singer Sade takes up the eighth spot with $33 million in earnings.
Madonna, who's been widely criticised for her age-inappropriate stage costumes recently, is stil holding fort when it comes to revenue.
The diva made $30 million in earnings.
Latina hottie Shakira, who's expecting her first child with soccer player beau Gerard Pique, rounds off the list with $20 million in earnings.