Katy Perry tops Taylor Swift on Forbes list of highest-earning women in music
Perry brought in $135M compared with Swift's $80M earnings
1. Katy Perry ($135 million US)
The 31-year-old tops the Forbes list of highest-earning women in music this year, thanks largely to her highly popular Prismatic tour, which Forbes says grossed more than $2 million per city over the course of 126 shows. Adding to Perry's sizable earnings are endorsement deals with cosmetic companies Coty and CoverGirl.
2. Taylor Swift ($80 million US)
Despite selling over 3.6 million copies of her album 1989 — the top release of 2014 — Swift lands a distant second on the Forbes list of estimated earnings, which was released on Wednesday. Her latest tour, which is grossing some $4 million per city, and a chart-topping single, Wildest Dreams, has the 25-year-old poised to reclaim the No. 1 spot next year, according to Forbes.
3. Fleetwood Mac ($59.5 million US)
Although the group Fleetwood Mac includes three men, front-women Stevie Nicks, right, and Christine McVie, left, qualify it for this Forbes list, and the group engaged in a lucrative 86-city tour during the Forbes scoring period.
4. Lady Gaga ($59 million US)
Lady Gaga has been one of the biggest names in music for the past decade and is no surprise in the top five. Aside from playing 66 shows during the Forbes scoring period, her advertisement deals with Versace and cosmetics company MAC, plus sales of her own fragrance, Fame, helped Gaga climb high on the list.
5. Beyoncé ($54.5 million US)
Queen Bey, fresh off the North American leg of her On The Run tour with husband Jay Z, rounds out the top five on the Forbes list. The power couple grossed over $100 million for 19 shows. Adding to the total are Pepsi and L'Oréal endorsements, as well as earnings from her own Heat fragrance.
6. Britney Spears ($31 million US)
Britney Spears had the song Pretty Girls with collaborator Iggy Azalea, but her sixth spot on the list comes largely from earnings generated by her Las Vegas residency at Planet Hollywood, as well as sales from her lingerie line called The Intimate Britney Spears.
7. Jennifer Lopez ($28.5 million US)
Jennifer Lopez's lucrative American Idol judging contract contributed sizably to her total earnings this year. Jenny from the Block is set to begin her own residency at Planet Hollywood Las Vegas next year.
8. Miranda Lambert ($28.5 million US)
Country star Miranda Lambert tied J. Lo with $28.5 million earned. Her stream of income aside from music includes a clothing line and pet accessories.
9. Mariah Carey ($27 million US)
Mariah Carey began a lucrative Vegas residency in May that will continue into next year.
10. Rihanna ($26 million US)
Rihanna, who wore this memorable number to the Met Gala in New York City this year, lands in 10th spot with $26 million. Her upcoming full-length album Anti, and likely world tour, will no doubt see her back on the Forbes list next year.