![Forbes names Jennifer Lopez 'most powerful' star Forbes names Jennifer Lopez 'most powerful' star](https://en.hdhod.com/photo/art/default/4212256-6385286.jpg?v=1337263501)
Television presenter Oprah Winfrey was second, followed by teen heartthrob Justin Bieber at third and singer Rihanna at fourth.
Many on the list at www.forbes.com/celebs showed business acumen as well as stage talent, Forbes said. For example, Bieber "is also a serious investor, with stakes in a dozen companies that appeal to his tech savvy, including a chunk of Spotify."
"Numerous celebrities are leveraging their fame to make early-stage investments or launch startups themselves," Forbes said.
The best example was J. Lo, whose acting and singing career appeared to have tanked a few years ago.
Her success as a judge on American Idol, a resurgence in marketing her music, and an attention-grabbing divorce from Marc Anthony, followed by lucrative product endorsement deals, have sent her financial star shooting.
"While she hasn't stormed Silicon Valley just yet, Jennifer Lopez is a state-of-the-art celebrity success story," Forbes said. "With $52 million in earnings over the last 12 months and a massive amount of fame, Lopez lands at number one on our Celebrity 100 list for the first time."
Overall, the earnings power of the top 100 dropped in 2012 to $4.4 billion from $4.5 billion. Winfrey was still the most lucrative star, earning $165 million, although that was well below her $290 million haul last year.
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Many on the list at www.forbes.com/celebs showed business acumen as well as stage talent, Forbes said. For example, Bieber "is also a serious investor, with stakes in a dozen companies that appeal to his tech savvy, including a chunk of Spotify."
"Numerous celebrities are leveraging their fame to make early-stage investments or launch startups themselves," Forbes said.
The best example was J. Lo, whose acting and singing career appeared to have tanked a few years ago.
Her success as a judge on American Idol, a resurgence in marketing her music, and an attention-grabbing divorce from Marc Anthony, followed by lucrative product endorsement deals, have sent her financial star shooting.
"While she hasn't stormed Silicon Valley just yet, Jennifer Lopez is a state-of-the-art celebrity success story," Forbes said. "With $52 million in earnings over the last 12 months and a massive amount of fame, Lopez lands at number one on our Celebrity 100 list for the first time."
Overall, the earnings power of the top 100 dropped in 2012 to $4.4 billion from $4.5 billion. Winfrey was still the most lucrative star, earning $165 million, although that was well below her $290 million haul last year.
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