Carrie Underwood Named Top-Earning ‘American Idol’ Alumni

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Music, Prime Time, Reality, FOX, American Idol, News,

Carrie Underwood has been named the top-earning American Idol alumni.

The country music star and 2005 winner topped Forbes magazine's annual list thanks to her staggering $31 million income over the last year, with a sell-out tour, albums and beauty deals under her belt.

Kelly Clarkson, the first ever Idol winner, came in second place with $7 million with the earnings of two albums and concerts, each scoring her quarter of a million dollars. The third spot on the list is a surprise tie between season 8 winner Adam Lambert, who landed a guest role on Glee, and 2012 winner Phillip Phillips, with $5 million each. The lesser-known Phillips' winner's single "Home" fared better than any in the show's history, shifting over 4 million copies.

Chris Daughtry was third with $4 million thanks to performing over 80 shows with his eponymous rock band. Baby-faced country singer Scott McCreery ranked sixth with earnings of $3 million, while season 5 winner Taylor Hicks - who is the only Idol alumni with a Las Vegas-residency - came seventh. Broadway star Fantasia Barrino, Dancing with the Stars contestant Kellie Pickler, Smash singer-and-actress Katharine McPhee and Dreamgirls star Jennifer Hudson rounded out the top 10.

Sofia Vergara Named Highest Paid US TV Actress

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Comedy, Drama, Prime Time, Reality, ABC, Cable, CBS, FOX, NBC, 30 Rock, Grey’s Anatomy, Features, News,

Sofia Vergara has been named the highest paid US TV actress for a second year running.

The Modern Family star reportedly earned a whopping $30 million between June 2012 and June 2013, from both her role on the hit sitcom and numerous endorsement deals, which is more than double the income of her closest rival, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit actress Mariska Hargitay. The Colombian beauty is thought to have commanded big bucks from mega-deals with companies including Diet Pepsi and Kmart due to her popularity in Latin America, a growing market in the business world. Sofia, 38, has her own clothing line with supermarket chain Kmart - for which she was paid a staggering $7 million advance - as well as deals with the soft drinks company, furniture chain Rooms to Go, cosmetics brand Covergirl, Comcast, State Farm Insurance and more.

The brunette beauty's $30 million windfall puts her comfortably ahead of Mariska, 49, who earned $11 million over the last year, according to financial magazine Forbes.

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Sofia Vergara is Television’s Highest-Paid Actress

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Comedy, Drama, Prime Time, ABC, Bravo, Cable, CBS, FOX, 30 Rock, Desperate Housewives, Gossip,

Sofia Vergara has been named the highest-earning television actress.

The Modern Family star earned around $19 million between May 2011 and May 2012, thanks to her role on the show, endorsement and licensing deals - including a clothing line at KMart and advertising campaigns for Diet Pepsi, Burger King and Cover Girl - and earnings from her media company LatinWE, figures compiled by Forbes magazine show.

The acclaimed financial tome placed Kim Kardashian in second place with $18 million over the same time period, $7 million more than her sister Khloe Kardashian, who placed fifth, made in that year.

Desperate Housewives actress Eva Longoria ranked third thanks to her $15 million earnings. While she and her co-stars on the drama - Felicity Huffman, Teri Hatcher and Marcia Cross - all earned around $8 million for the final series of the show, Eva's earnings were boosted by endorsement deals with L'Oreal and Pepsi Next, sales of her cookbook, two fragrances and earnings from other acting roles.

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Tom Cruise Wins Forbes Magazine’s List

Posted by Eric Chaloux Categories: Music, ABC, FOX, NBC, American Idol, Oprah Winfrey Show, Talent, The Sopranos, News,

The most powerful celebrity according to Forbes Magazine’s Celebrity 100 is Tom Cruise. If that wasn’t a downer…I don’t know what else is. To make the list Forbes looks at a celebrity’s earnings and media appearances over the last 12 months, traditionally June to June. 

New members of the Celebrity 100 club this year include the cast of The Sopranos in the ninth spot.  U2 was the highest-paid music group on the list. Jerry Seinfeld was the highest-paid comedian, but only the 28th most powerful celebrity. Meanwhile, American Idol stars Simon Cowell (29th) and Ryan Seacrest (88th) made their debuts on the Celebrity 100. Simon’s earnings were put at $43 million, Seacrest’s at $12 million. And yes, the stars of The Simple Life made the list as Paris Hilton came in at 56th and Nicole Richie snuck in at 95th. Paris’ dog didn’t make the cut.  The 100th spot goes to ABC’s star of Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, Ty Pennington.

He’s a look at Forbes Magazine Top 10 List:

1. Tom Cruise, $67 million
2. The Rolling Stones, $90 million
3. Oprah Winfrey, $225 million
4. U2, $110 million
5. Tiger Woods, $90 million
6. Steven Spielberg, $332 million
7. Howard Stern, $302 million
8. 50 Cent, $41 million
9. Cast of The Sopranos, $52 million
10. Dan Brown, $88 million

Read More | Forbes