Money alone doesn't make a celebrity powerful. But money plus fame does. That's according to Forbes, and of course, to many of us too.
And superstar Beyonce Knowles should know what fame and money are about as she ascends the stairway to great stardom.
After making her debut on the Forbes' most powerful celebrities list in 2004, she has finally made it to the top after a decade later, beating 99 others this year.
So there's hope for newcomers like Bruno Mars, Jimmy Fallon, Bradley Cooper, Amy Adams and Kate Upton to reach for the stars too.
The Top Ten this year includes five women and seven African-Americans.
LeBron James, the NBA's top player, moved up to No. 2 spot from the 16th last year
Making the most dramatic ascent is Dr. Dre, who moved up from the 63rd spot to No. 3. And why not? After all, he had already made US$620 million in 2014, which is more money earned in the past 12 months than any other celebrity in the history of the Forbes Celebrity 100 list.
Apple confirmed its acquisition of Dr. Dre's Beats Electronics for US$3 billion ($2.6 billion in cash and $400 million in stock that will vest over time). Co-founders Dr Dre and Jimmy Iovine will join Apple as part of the deal. So who says clunky headphones are out of fashion?
Talkshow queen Oprah Winfrey fell to fourth place from the top spot last year, mainly because the three people ranked above her on this year's list currently have more influence and power.
Despite Oprah's decline in rank, her OWN cable network achieved a positive turnaround in 2013, and she was instrumental in making Lee Daniels' The Butler a success, reported Forbes.
Funny woman Ellen DeGeneres (No. 5) is laughing back to the list, and moved up from the tenth spot, rounding out the top five.
This year, once again, singers and musicians ranked high on the list, Forbes reported. They can make tonnes of money when going on tours and are savvy in using social media to boost their brand, which is an integral part of Forbes fame metric.
Thirteen of the top 25 on the list were musicians, including Beyoncé Knowles (No. 1), Dr. Dre (No. 3), Jay Z (No. 6), Rihanna (No. 8), Katy Perry (No. 9), Bon Jovi (No. 13), Bruno Mars (No. 13), Miley Cyrus (No. 17), Taylor Swift (No. 18), Lady Gaga (No. 19), Kanye West (No. 20), Calvin Harris (No. 21), and Bruce Springsteen (No. 25).
Well-known newcomers to the 2014 list include musicians Bruno Mars (No. 13), One Direction (No. 28), Pharrell Williams (No. 38), Avicii (No. 47); actors Bradley Cooper (No. 48), Matthew McConaughey (No. 52), Vin Diesel (No. 66); television actors Jon Hamm (No. 89), Bryan Cranston (No. 88), Kevin Spacey (No. 74); personality Jimmy Fallon (No. 45); actresses Amy Adams (No. 81), Natalie Portman (No. 100); television actresses Kerry Washington (No. 93), Kaley Cuoco (No. 99); athlete Kevin Durant (No. 33); model Kate Upton (No. 94); and author Veronica Roth (No. 95).
This year's drop-outs are Madonna, Carrie Underwood, Coldplay, Jerry Bruckheimer, Charlize Theron, Kenny Chesney, David Beckham, Jerry Seinfeld, Tom Brady, Mila Kunis, Tom Cruise, Danica Patrick, Tina Fey, Donald Trump, Rachael Ray, Amy Poehler, Alec Baldwin, David Letterman, Kristin Stewart, Louis C.K., and Adam Sandler.
Seriously, do they really care when they seem to be still enjoying the fruit of their success?
chenj@sph.com.sg