Katy Perry is the highest paid musician in the world
The highest paid woman in music this year is also the world’s highest paid musician.
According to Forbes magazine, Katy Perry’s earnings of US$135 million (AU$187m) in the last 12 monthssaw her top the list ahead of pop heavyweights One Direction (who placed 2nd) and Taylor Swift (4th), as well as country music star Garth Brooks, who came in 3rd.
The spot follows Forbes’ listof the World’s Highest-Paid Women in Music for 2015, which the 31-year-old topped in November.
Perry’s third ever concert tour, The Prismatic World Tour, wrapped up in Costa Rica in October. Following 151 dates, six legs – including 23 dates in Australia – it wona Pollstar award for Most Creative Stage Production and last year was dubbed ‘Top Package’ by Billboard.
In Sydney, Perry broke the record for most tickets sold at Allphones Arena, selling a 89,500 tickets across six shows.
Perry’s endorsements also contributed to her wealth, they include deals with Coty, Claire’s and Covergirl, as well as her own free mobile game, which is in beta testing with GluMobileInc – the creators of Kim Kardashian: Hollywood.
Katy Perry also ranked 3rd in Forbes’Celebrity 100 list this year, which measured the earnings of the world’s highest-paid entertainers from June 2014 – June 2015. Perry came in ahead of One Direction and Howard Stern. The list was topped by boxers Floyd MayweatherandManny Pacquiao, respectively.
Forbes has noted that while Adele’s chart-topping LP 25 was released outside of its scoring period, the British artist wouldn’t have made the list despite moving 3.38 million units in the US. Touring is king among the top earners; in fact, three of the artists on the list are currently touring Australia (Taylor Swift, Elton John, Ed Sheeran). However, we should see Adele feature in the higher ranks of the list next year as she’s already locked in 40 tour dates before the end of May 2016.
Last year’s #1 Dr. Dre has moved down to the bottom of the list with US$33m – a tie with Maroon 5. Granted, the now tech mogul hasn’t had another US$620 million pay day as he did in 2013 when Apple acquired Beats.
The Top 30:
1.Katy Perry – US$135 million
2.One Direction – US$130 million
3.Garth Brooks – US$90 million
4.Taylor Swift – US$80 million
5.The Eagles – US$73.5 million
6.Calvin Harris – US$66 million
7.Justin Timberlake – US$63.5 million
8.P. Diddy – US$60 million
9.Fleetwood Mac – US$59.5 million
10.Lady Gaga – US$59 million
11. Rolling Stones – US57.5 million
12. Ed Sheeran – US$57 million
13. Jay Z – US$56 million
14. Beyonce – US$54.5 million
15. Elton John – US$53.5 million
16. Toby Keith – US$53 million
17. Paul McCartney – US$51.5 million
18. Michael Buble – US$45.5 million
19. Jason Aldean – US$43.5 million
20. Luke Bryan – US$42.5 million
21. Kenny Chesney – US$42 million
22. Bruno Mars – US$40 million
23. Drake – US$39.5 million
24. Foo Fighters – US$38 million, tie
24. Tim McGraw – US$38 million, tie
26. David Guetta – US$37 million
27. Florida Georgia Line – US$36.5 million
28. Jimmy Buffett – US$36 million, tie
28. Tiesto – US$36 million, tie
30. Maroon 5 – US$33 million, tie
30. Dr. Dre – US$33 million, tie
The list was compiled using pretax income from concerts, record sales, publishing, endorsements and other business ventures, data from Nielsen SoundScan, Pollstar and the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), and information from industry sources.