Taylor Swift Tops One Direction, Adele on Forbes’ Highest-Paid Musicians List

“Blank Space” singer can write blank checks thanks to amazing one-year haul

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Sorry, One Direction. Better luck next year, Adele. Taylor Swift is music’s reigning moneybags this year.

Forbes released its list of The World’s Highest-Paid Musicians of 2016 on Wednesday, placing “Shake it Off” singer Swift at the top of the pile. She pulled in $170 million earned between June 1, 2015 and June 1, 2016.

That was enough to put her above other lavishly compensated musicians including boy band One Direction, which came in second with $110 million despite going on hiatus this year, and Adele, who rolled in an $80.5-million-deep pile of dough to take third place.

Swift’s haul was not only enough to make her the world’s highest-paid musician, but also the highest-paid celebrity of any variety.

The singer’s tour receipts, record sales, and endorsement deals with Apple, Diet Coke and Keds contributed to her take.

Madonna was in fourth place, taking in $76.5 million due to her Rebel Heart Tour and other revenue sources. The Material Mom edged out Rihanna, who amassed $75 million in the period.

Forbes’ figures were based on pretax income, before deducting management fees.

Country superstar Garth Brooks, currently in the midst of a years-long comeback tour, was in sixth place, yee-hawing his way to $70 million, while AC/DC, despite tour woes that saw longtime singer Brian Johnson replaced by Guns N’ Roses yowler Axl Rose, took seventh place with a $67.5 million haul.

Continuing in the aging rocker vein, The Rolling Stones were eighth place with $66.5 million. Celebrity DJ Calvin Harris pulled in $63 million for a ninth-place finish, while Diddy filled out the Top 10 with a $62 million take.

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