World’s highest-paid entertainers in 2023: where Taylor Swift and Bad Bunny land on the list

Taylor Swift, Puerto Rican rapper Bad Bunny, and ‘Titanic’ director James Cameron, along with the likes of the Rolling Stones, Brad Pitt, and Genesis feature on Forbes’ list of highest-paid entertainers in 2023.

Forbes released its list of the 10 highest-paid entertainers in the world earlier this week. Combined, those on the list made more than $1.3 billion in 2022.

Taylor Swift

Taylor Swift came in ninth on the list, making the cut for the sixth time. In 2019, Swift sat at the top of this list.

The superstar made $92 million in 2022 from a litany of different income streams, including physical record sales, streaming, digital downloads, and licensing, as well music she had released in the past.

Swift’s back catalog makes up an estimated 70 percent of her income.

In December 2022, Swift ranked 79th on Forbes list of the world’s 100 most powerful women. The 33-year-old singer became the first artist ever to claim all 10 spots on the Billboard Hot 100 Song list in October of 2022 after releasing ‘Midnights’, Swift’s 10th studio album.

Bad Bunny

Bad Bunny makes the list in 10th place with $88 million, with his income being attributed to his ‘Último Tour Del Mundo’ and ‘The World’s Hottest Tour’, in which he reportedly sold $400 million worth of tickets combined. The tours spanned the United States and Latin America. Bad Bunny also has revenue streams from Corona, Cheetos, and Adidas.

James Cameron

James Cameron accumulated $95 million in 2022, good enough for eighth place. After the hit success of ‘Avatar: The Way of Water’, Cameron became the director of three of the top four highest-grossing movies ever, alongside ‘Avatar’ and ‘Titanic’.

Genesis leads the Top 10

Genesis landed in the number one spot, having earned $230 million, with Sting right behind the rock band at $210 million.

Genesis snagged the top spot after selling their music rights in September 2022 for $300 million to Concord Music Group. Sting raked in a cool $300 million in February 2022 for the sale of his entire music catalog — both from his solo career as well as music from ‘The Police’.

Coming in third is Tyler Perry earning $175 million from his films, television shows, and his production estate.

Trey Parker and Matt Stone, the creators of ‘South Park’ got the fourth spot, taking home $160 million, with a big chunk of it from their six-year, $935 million deal with Paramount.

Fifth on the top earners list is James L. Brooks and Matt Groening. They earned $105 million in 2022, after they moved their show ‘The Simpsons’ to Disney+ in April 20 for a $52 billion deal.

Brad Pitt earned $100 million in 2022, making him sixth on the list. The majority of Pitt’s income is from his production company, Plan B.

The Rolling Stones landed in seventh, raking in $98 million for the band’s 60-year anniversary together. The Stones went on an epic celebration tour called their ‘European Sixty’ show in 2022.