Part one of Forbes Magazine’s “Best Paid Celebrities Under 30” list was dominated by the athletes.
But celebrities 1-10 are mostly musicians. A few of them are newcomers, who have somehow found a way to get around the slump the entertainment industry has been in for the last decade. African-Americans, however, are grossly misrepresented.
Flip through the pages below and check out who rounds out the list of the past year’s highest earning celebrities under 30.
(Editor’s Note: Part 1 of the list inadvertently skipped Lil Wayne at #20, and listed #10, Rafael Nadal, at #11.)
*20: Lil Wayne
Age: 28
2010-2011 Income: $15 Million
The lyricist reportedly wrote his first song at age 8 and signed a record deal with Cash Money a year later. Two decades later, he’s one of rap’s richest. Jail (he served eight months in New York’s Riker’s Island on a gun charge) didn’t slow him down, his new album I Am Not a Human Being topped the charts shortly after its release, making Wayne the first artist since Tupac Shakur to have a No. 1 album while incarcerated.
9. Lionel Messi
Age: 23
2010-2011 Income: $32 Million
Nicknamed “The Flea” for his diminutive stature, Messi is the world’s best soccer player, having been voted player of the year the past two seasons. Messi earns $16 million annually on the pitch and he has recently built up his endorsement portfolio, which now includes Adidas, PepsiCo, Konami, Audemars Piguet, Chery and AirEuropa. Dolce & Gabbana struck a deal in October with the Barcelona forward.
8. Beyonce Knowles
Age: 29*
2010-2011 Income: $35 Million
The Houston-born diva ranks unusually low on our list because she didn’t tour or release an album over the past year. But her fourth solo effort, 4, is on the way. The simple title was reportedly selected by her fans, and is also a nod to her April 4 wedding anniversary with hubby Jay-Z. In the absence of new revenue on the music side, business-focused Beyoncé cashes in on clothing line Dereon and endorsement deals with L’Oréal, DirecTV, General Mills and others.
7. Cristiano Ronaldo
Age: 26
2010-2011 Income: $38 Million
The Real Madrid star is using social media to expand his brand, which makes him more attractive to current sponsorship partners like Nike, Castrol, Clear Shampoo and Banco Espirito. Ronaldo has racked up 25 million Facebook fans, more than twice as many as any other athlete. He also has nearly 3 million Twitter followers.
6. Katy Perry
Age: 26
2010-2011 Income: $48 Million
The “I Kissed a Girl” singer married actor Russell Brand in a traditional Hindu ceremony in India in October. Perry’s album Teenage Dream, released in August, boasted four chart-topping singles making it one of only nine albums to accomplish that feat in the Billboard Hot 100’s 52-year history. No stranger to business, Perry shills for Proactiv, Adidas and Ubisoft, and has her own perfume line, Purr.
5. Taylor Swift
Age: 21
2010-2011 Income: $44 Million
Whether you consider her music country, pop or both, there’s no question that Swift is a moneymaking machine. Her new album Speak Now was certified triple-platinum barely a month after its October release. Touring brings gross ticket sales of some $750,000 per night. Just don’t break her heart: scathing love ballad “Dear John” was rumored to be directed at former flame John Mayer.
4. Roger Federer
Age: 29
2010-2011 Income: $47 Million
Arguably the greatest tennis player ever, the Federer era may be nearing its end. He has been passed by both Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic in the rankings. Federer still commands the most impressive endorsement portfolio in all of sports with 10 major deals including Nike, Credit Suisse, Rolex and Wilson. He was the only one of Gillette’s original 3 “Champions” to have his deal renewed this year as the brand dropped Tiger Woods and Thierry Henry.
3. LeBron James
Age: 26
2010-2011 Income: $48 Million
James’ reputation took a hit last summer when he announced he was leaving the Cleveland Cavaliers for the Miami Heat on a national televised special dubbed “The Decision.” His negative Q score soared 77%. Despite the animosity, James continues to be a hot ticket. His jersey was the NBA’s best seller this season and he has the No. 1 basketball shoe on the market. In April, James partnered with Fenway Sports Group to manage his business interests. As part of the deal James received a very small stake in the FSG-owned soccer club Liverpool.
2. Justin Bieber
Age: 17
2010-2011 Income: $53 Million
Though he may not know where Germany is, the cherubic crooner has attained international superstardom: his new album My Life 2.0 quickly attained platinum status, his concert movie Never Say Never grossed $100 million globally and Bieber’s live shows around the world bring in $600,000 in gross ticket sales per night. The music video for Bieber’s hit song “Baby” has been viewed a YouTube record 500 million times.
1. Lady Gaga
Age: 25
2010-2011 Income: $90 Million
Sometimes it pays to be weird. The Queen Monster grossed $170 million on 137 shows in 22 countries over the past 12 months and has sold an estimated 15 million albums worldwide. No surprise that advertisers want a piece: endorsement deals include Polaroid, Virgin Mobile, Monster Cable, Viva Glam and PlentyOfFish.com. A Russian billionaire reportedly paid $1 million to appear in her “Alejandro” video.
