Forbes Names Oprah First, Tiger Second Most Powerful Celebrity
Oprah Winfrey, the shot-caller of the talk show medium, was ranked the most powerful celebrity in the world on Forbes Magazine’s Celebrity 100 for the second year in a row. The public’s mixed reviews of Winfrey endorsing Senator Barack Obama’s presidential campaign made it unlikely for her to receive this year’s title, but her highly influential position, based on—but not limited to—her earnings over the past 12 months, press clippings and web references, have solidified her top spot.
Tiger Woods, the 32-year-old genius of golf, was a mere $160 million behind Winfrey, earning $115 million and the No. 2 position on the Forbes list. This year’s Buick International victory marked Woods’ 62 PGA Tour win. His victories have mounted the number of Internet searches, cover stories and promotional gigs for the pro golfer.
Newlyweds Beyoncé and Jay-Z also made the top 10, but Beyoncé cemented the No. 4 position while Hova followed at No. 7. Between Beyoncé’s concert tour The Beyoncé Experience, private shows, a mobile game and movie and endorsement deals, the R&B diva managed to rake in $80 million this year. Jay-Z, released American Gangster, his tenth studio album in November, 2007, and is finalizing one of the most lucrative deals ever granted to a musician. His partnership with concert promoter Live Nation, will be named Roc Nation, and his highly publicized split with Def Jam Records has garnered him the attention that placed him on the Forbes Celebrity 100.
The earnings estimates are for June 2007 to June 2008 and are based on monies earned from entertainment-related income. Management, agent and attorney fees are not deducted.
Other entertainers in the Top 25 are Will Smith (No. 11, $80 million), Justin Timberlake (No. 12, $44 million), LeBron James (No. 16, $38 million), Michael Jordan (No. 18, $45 million), Kobe Bryant (No. 19, $39 million), and Alex Rodriguez ( No. 24, $34 million).
