Pop singer Lady Gaga is the most powerful person in the entertainment industry in the world, according to the latest Celebrity 100 List released by Forbes magazine on Wednesday. Talk show host Oprah Winfrey, last year's leader, slid to second place.
Forbes compiled the ranking of showbiz celebrities, athletes, and authors based on earnings, media exposure and social media power, which is the celebrity's presence on social networks like Facebook and Twitter, over the past year.
Born Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta, Lady Gaga is known for her outrageous fashions and behavior, including performing on stage in a see-through nun's habit and a dress made of raw meat. Openly bisexual, she is also socially and politically involved and was voted by U.S. charity organizations as the most active philanthropic celebrity.
Experts say Gaga's mass appeal stems from not only her music, performances and style, but also her close communication with fans through social networking services. She has some 32 million friends on Facebook and 10 million followers on Twitter.
However, her influence outweighs her earnings as over the past year she made US$90 million, less than one-third of that of Winfrey.
Six singers including Canadian pop idol Justin Bieber and Irish rock group U2 were in the top 10 on this year's list. Despite being winless since his extramarital affair scandal, golfer Tiger Woods placed sixth, the highest among athletes.
#1 Lady Gaga
#2 Oprah Winfrey
#3 Justin Bieber
#4 U2
#5 Elton John
#6 Tiger Woods
#7 Taylor Swift
#8Bon Jovi
#9 Simon Cowell
#10 LeBron James
Forbes compiled the ranking of showbiz celebrities, athletes, and authors based on earnings, media exposure and social media power, which is the celebrity's presence on social networks like Facebook and Twitter, over the past year.
Born Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta, Lady Gaga is known for her outrageous fashions and behavior, including performing on stage in a see-through nun's habit and a dress made of raw meat. Openly bisexual, she is also socially and politically involved and was voted by U.S. charity organizations as the most active philanthropic celebrity.
Experts say Gaga's mass appeal stems from not only her music, performances and style, but also her close communication with fans through social networking services. She has some 32 million friends on Facebook and 10 million followers on Twitter.
However, her influence outweighs her earnings as over the past year she made US$90 million, less than one-third of that of Winfrey.
Six singers including Canadian pop idol Justin Bieber and Irish rock group U2 were in the top 10 on this year's list. Despite being winless since his extramarital affair scandal, golfer Tiger Woods placed sixth, the highest among athletes.
#1 Lady Gaga
#2 Oprah Winfrey
#3 Justin Bieber
#4 U2
#5 Elton John
#6 Tiger Woods
#7 Taylor Swift
#8Bon Jovi
#9 Simon Cowell
#10 LeBron James
