Forbes has just released its 2015 ranking for "The World's Highest-Paid Women in Music."
Its top-earning woman cashed in on a world tour, a succession of hits singles and endorsements with major companies. While known to occasionally throw subtle arrows at her celebrity frenemies, the top-paid artist is also no stranger to public breakups.
Taylor Swift? Not this time, guys.
This year's top-earning woman in the music industry is none other than singer-songwriter Katy Perry. Her third concert tour, The Prismatic World Tour, kicked off in May 2014 and concluded on Oct. 28. The tour grossed over $2 million per city and spanned a total of 126 shows. Add this to her deals with Covergirl, Coty and Claire's, and what do you get? A popstar with earnings totaling $135 million, ranked No. 1 by Forbes.
Perry is proud of her financial success - and why shouldn't she? The 31-year-old has been on the road for the past year, performing in Europe, North America, Oceania, Asia and Latin America. In between tours, she has endorsements and her own music to work on.
"I am proud of my position as a boss, as a person that runs my own company," she shares in an interview. "I'm an entrepreneur... I don't want to shy away from it. I actually want to kind of grab it by its balls."
On the other side of the stage is Perry's former gal pal, Taylor Swift. With $80 million in earning, Swift ends up at No. 2, right below the alleged inspiration for her hit "Bad Blood."
Over a year after the release of her album 1989, Swift continues to reap the fruits of her labor, including hit singles and music videos.
Fans can only wait patiently for the next hit album (which just might land her back at No. 1), following Swift's breakup with Scottish DJ Calvin Harris, the two together being ranked as the highest-paid celebrity couple.
Completing Forbes' top five are Fleetwood Mac at $59.5 million, Lady Gaga at $59 million and Beyoncé at $54.5 million.
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