Move over Queen B and Jay-Z, there’s a new power couple in town!
Forbes has announced that Taylor Swift and Calvin Harris are the highest paid celebrity couple in the world.
For the first time, Forbes Celebrity 100 list is ranking top entertainers by their annual income alone, and only three celebrity power couples made the list. Interestingly, all three couples come from the music industry.
Through their relationship is fairly new, Swift and Harris have claimed the top spot. The pop singer – who recently persuaded Apple to pay artists royalties during the free trial period of their new streaming service – and her Scottish DJ boyfriend, have become the highest paid couple in 2014-15 overtaking reigning champs, Beyoncé and Jay-Z.
Beyonce and Jay-Z took the top spot in 2013
Combined, Swift and Harris earned $146 million (£93m) last year. Swift made her income from endorsement deals with Sony and Keds, as well as from her concerts and album release. Meanwhile Harris bought in contracts with Giorgio Armani, Sol Republic and Calvin Klein, as well as a three-year residency deal at the exclusive Las Vegas nightclub, Hakkasan – making him the highest paid DJ in the world.
Beyoncé and Jay-Z were not far behind though, raking in $110.5 million (£70.2m) between them over the past year. This was partly in thanks to ticket sales from their collaborative yet short-lived tour, On the Run. They also gained major income from Jay-Z’s entertainment company, Roc Nation and the launch of his music streaming company Tidal, as well Beyoncé’s endorsements from Pepsi and H&M.
Taking third place were country superstars Miranda Lambert and Blake Shelton. The married couple earned $57 million (£36.1m) in the past year. The couple’s income comes mainly from sold out shows, as well Lambert’s multi-award winning album, Platinum. Shelton has also served as a coach on The Voice US for four years.
Forbes teased the ‘world highest paid celebrities’ as part of their annual ‘Celebrity 100’ which is set to be published on Monday 29th June.
Swift shared a photo of herself and Harris on Instagram two week ago, confirming their status as a power couple.
