Forbes has put out its annual celebrity power list, and as usual, it’s a puzzlement. The big shift this year is the addition of many tween stars, including some names you might expect (Miley Cyrus, Zac Efron) and some you might not (Ashley Tisdale, Lauren Conrad). Other shifts, closer to the top of the pecking order, are similar headscratchers. Radar does a good job of deconstructing the list, but other questions remain, such as: Why is Beyoncé (pictured) ranked No. 4, just below Angelina Jolie? She out-earned Angelina last year by a factor of six, and besides, if La Jolie is so powerful, how come she couldn’t sell tickets to A Mighty Heart? Oprah ranks at No. 1 (natch), yet J.K. Rowling out-earned her this year (the Harry Potter author took in a staggering $300 million) and has to settle for ninth place. Anyway, read through the list, then come back and see if you can explain it to the rest of us.
Jun 17
2008
07:17 PM ET
Please explain Forbes' new celebrity power list (Starring Ashley Tisdale!)
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There is NO point in trying to break down any of Forbes’s lists. They just make it all up as they go along. The only tag you need for this is “To Care or Not To Care.”
The only thing notable about this blurb is the world’s worst picture of Beyonce. Dayim!
I could probably care less, but I’m not entirely sure how.
Not that I know anything about or give a crap about “celebrity lists”, I can tell you that A MIGHTY HEART was one of the few movies I saw last year during a sequel and threequel-infested summer, and it was wonderful. Jolie’s performance in that role was stellar! She likely couldn’t sell tickets to the movie because most people would rather waste their time, money and what little cinematic brain they have on crap like SPIDERMAN 3 and OCEAN’S THIRTEEN!
No J.J. Abrams at all? With the success of Lost and Cloverfield and the upcoming Star Trek and Fringe…I can’t believe he was left off. Not that I really care all that much about the list to begin with.
Ashley Tisdale rocks!
please, please stop paying attention to the Hills kids! maybe they’ll go away!
oh, hi Kristen Cavallari. I did not see you there.
AHH NO WE LOVE THE HILLS SO YOU GO AWAY YOU HATER !!!
GOOOO LAUREN !!!!
I thought this list was based on noy just money, but media, endorsements,and other factors, and why is it that everytime Beyonce is mentioned, someone always has to say something negative about her? While this isn’t the best picture of her, she still looks great to me, even on a bad day. I like her hair (weave) better long. “Pat yo weave ladies…pat…pat…pat….yo weave ladies.” Beyonce is the best there is, was, and ever will be. Oh, and if this list were based on money alone, wouldn’t it be called some type of “richest” Forbes List.
It’s not just celebrity money, if I’m not mistaken, but also celebrity power. So, if Angelina Jolie and Beyonce both want to get movies made, who do you think gets her way? And if Angelina Jolie and Beyonce both want magazine covers, who do you think gets first dibs? Angelina is more powerful, even if she makes less money.
It’s their “Power List.” Power does not necessarily mean money.
If you read the Forbes story, it breaks down the factors in choosing the list. In short, it’s money + fame, the latter of which is measured in several different ways.
Brenda Song ROCKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I don’t get this list. WHO THE HECK. DID MADDIE MAKE THAT LIST her album didnt even sell 1 million. WHAT THE HECK. Forbes have lost it.
Who cares? It’s a business magazine – not a trite publication like Entertainment Weekly. Maybe they’re trying to sell more magazines for folks who don’t like real news.
that list makes no sense to me. completely arbitrary. what is “power” anyway? Who can get a table at the Ivy? Duh.