Katy Perry earned $135 million this year, more than any other female musician

*Drops mic on your Halloween* 🎤⤵️

A photo posted by KATY PERRY (@katyperry) on

We never hit Katy Perry’s underrated Halloween costume, but here it is. She went as a mic drop, which is only the latest in her set of amazing costumes. You’d expect Katy to sauce things up since she does it every day, but no. Instead, she picks some very clever themes. Last year, she dressed as a Flaming Hot Cheeto, and she once donned a Freddie Mercury costume to audible groans. She has fun, which is what Halloween should be about.

Katy must also be smiling for another reason – she bested her ex-frenemy, Taylor Swift, in the income department. According to Forbes, Katy earned a mind boggling $135 million this year. That averages out to $2 million per arena concert plus all of her other earnings for endorsements like CoverGirl and Moschino. Whereas Swift earned a “paltry” $59 million, which is notable because Swift released the well-received 1989 and toured constantly to support it. Katy didn’t release an album this year, but she’s still making bank. Not too shabby for a nothingburger” and “nonthreatening attachment object,” right?

Katy previously covered an issue of Forbes to speak about her power as an entrepreneur and boss. She employs hundreds of people, and I will always maintain that her ditzy vibe is (mostly) an act. All of that money still can’t buy her a convent, but one can’t have everything in life. Further down Forbes’ list are Fleetwood Mac, Lady Gaga, and Beyonce. Mrs. Carter raked in $54.5 million, which isn’t too shabby for someone who doesn’t do interviews to promote her own work. Anyway, victory goes to Katy this year. Who would have thought the “I Kissed a Girl” singer would be more than a one-hit wonder?

Katy Perry

Katy Perry

Photos courtesy of Katy Perry on Instagram & WENN

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54 Responses to “Katy Perry earned $135 million this year, more than any other female musician”

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  1. Allie says:

    I could have sworn I just read that Swifty earned over $350 million this year, as it came out to over $1 million a day. I specifically remember that because I went into a blackout from irritation. But I’ll happily take this article instead, solely because if it’s true, Taylor I’m sure is pissed.

    • korra says:

      This is just a small part of Katy’s big revenge plan. She’ll take down Swift’s army of skanks, her hot body, and her stupid boyfriend Aaron….err I mean Calvin Harris in no time. Just you see.

    • Tiffany :) says:

      The numbers game they are using is misleading by making it a direct comparison. Katy’s tour started in 2014 and has been touring the world since then. Taylor’s tour only started in May of 2015. Katy made more money during the time period, but the impression they are giving is that Katy made much more per show. I don’t know if that is accurate or not.

      • WinnieCoopersMom says:

        I agree. The details with these lists always seem misleading. Like they run Oct-Oct?

  2. Rainbow says:

    Good for her but I am not a fan. I don’t like her music or persona at all. Too childish,over the top and shallow for my taste. Judging from her earnings others like her music so each to their own.

    I prefer her to Swifty though.

  3. parissucksliterally says:

    This woman is the definition of “mediocre” to me. Looks, “talent”…..how the hell did she make so much money?

    Then again, we live in a time where Kylie Jenner made over 5 mil last year for Snapchats and Instagram…..

    Sigh.

  4. Dani says:

    I know it’s frowned upon at Celebitchy to like Katy, but I really do like her. I’m 25 and have liked her since I Kissed A Girl came out when I was in high school. She has catchy poppy music and she doesn’t call it anything else. Is it amazing life altering music? No, but she never said it was. She doesn’t act like some holier than thou artist who creates Godly music, i.e. Beyonce, Gaga, Beiber etc.. She knows what she’s good at and how to promote it and she does it with pride. At the end of the day she’s a good musician, not because of her music, but because of her hustle and seemingly unacknowledged self awareness. She doesn’t jump down your throat or try to put herself above others (like Swift, Beyonce and more). She works hard and should be commended for that.

    • Abbott says:

      “I’m 25 and have liked her since I Kissed A Girl came out when I was in high school. ”

      I’m officially an old nothingburger.

      • mimif says:

        I f-cking love Katy Perry. It’s my only vice in life, along with booze, Xanax and Marshawn Lynch.

      • Scotchy says:

        @mimif.. you had me at Xanax. I know, I know we just met, but I’ll bring some Ativan and bubbly we can listen to K.P and have ourselves an Ab Fab inspired dance party.
        You in?

      • mimif says:

        I’M SO IN!

    • Livealot says:

      @Dani: Exactly. I can’t help but like her. I think she genuinely is a cool chick and much more down to earth than others. Plus her voice isn’t bad – let’s be honest.

    • non says:

      Curious but how does Beyonce act the way you’re saying. The woman minds her business, shows up to work and kills it, doesn’t get into arguments on social media and doesn’t post screenshots of her very massive net worth to bully upcoming artistes she gets into fights with, doesn’t call fans thots. Doesn’t even talk, literally. Beyonce is the only pop star that isn’t in our faces and yet you see people go “I wish she would go away” when she’s in the news.
      She released an album with no promopromo after being criticized for too much promo the other time. You know she built a $7mil housing complex in Houston recently but that didn’t make it to sites like this one because we want something to criticize her for. That woman is very humble and was very nice to me when I met her. Lol (that’s not a reason but…)
      Methinks most people just can’t handle a successful black woman with her shit together

      • Dani says:

        Please don’t drag race in to it because it has nothing to do with it and I didn’t mention it once. Beyonce acts like she’s so much better than everyone around her. She constantly put the other girls of Destiny’s Child beneath her, and schemed her way out of the group only to make a better name for herself. She’s so vain and narcissistic, she doesn’t promote her own work. That alone just screams entitlement, like I’m better than every other artist out there so i don’t need to promote my work. Every picture she uploads of herself is photo shopped. She only cares about the public perception of her, so not once did she defend Solange after the elevator beat down. While it’s nice and admirable that she built housing in Houston, it doesn’t make her a saint.

      • Chuckie says:

        @Non

        Thank you! You said everything and then some.

        @Dani

        Every criticism you said about Beyonce was simply perception based. Then the one (positive) fact got dismissed as “well she’s not a saint”…uhhh Non never said she was one.

        I love how you overlook KP’s cultural appropriation costumes and ignorant comments about race and gay rights. But hey she doesn’t take herself seriously so why should anyone else right?

      • The Eternal Side-Eye says:

        @dani

        The other girls in Destiny’s Child moved on, you can too. You had to go back a decade plus to have something to criticize while non brought up several good points.

      • Jay says:

        Totally agree with you. I will never understand all the Beyonce hate. Hens just need something to cluck about.

      • Grant says:

        I love Beyoncé and her music, but I don’t think it’s a stretch to say that she’s a self-serving blowhard. Have you seen her HBO documentary? All you need to know about why people find her abrasive is in that show. It’s eye roll inducing.

    • meh says:

      I like her too. I think her aesthetic and persona are very carefully crafted to be campy and drag-inspired, which I love. I think her “ditzy” thing is self aware, and I prefer someone who will lean into the cheesy pop thing as opposed to someone who is equally manufactured but tries to insist they are down to earth, “real” etc. (looking at you, Swift).

      • Scotchy says:

        I know a couple of folks that have worked with her. Word behind the scenes is she is actually ditzy but really sweet and aware of what her job is and does it well.
        She is a simple Santa Monica gal…
        No one in the industry aside from Taylor Swift has much bad to say about her..

      • korra says:

        @Scotchy Irregardless, ex-boyfriends (John Mayer) are off limits…that’s just like the rules of feminism. Perry’s getting exactly what she deserves from Swift.

      • Neah23 says:

        @Korra I hope your joking because of your not then that’s one of the most stupidest and childish thing I’ve ever head.

      • korra says:

        @Neah23 ….it’s a Mean Girls reference. See my earlier posts. The similarities between this feud and mean girls is just way too much comedy gold to be ignored.

    • Ada says:

      I’m 26 and I love her (I don’t like her choice in men). She is not talentless as some people on this blog call her (well they call everybody except Adele and Angelina jolie talentless lol). There is nothing wrong with making catchy pop songs.

    • Leah says:

      I kind of agree. In addition Taylor hangs with supermodels and famous people you seem to have to be “someone” to earn a place in her squad. Katys squad is full of girls she knew from before she was famous, and they are not models, its artists and musicians. I genuinely think Katy is more down to earth.

    • Veronica says:

      I don’t dislike her, but I haven’t been impressed with her since the while Australia fundraiser debacle. The biggest problem I have with her is that she’s gotten stale to me. Like, I get that you’re a pop artist, but you’re 30+ now and have been in the business nearly a decade, so what else do you have to offer now? I think she has the potential to last in the industry, but she needs to take a serious look at how to revamp her image for the long run.

  5. Hannah says:

    good for her!

  6. jm says:

    This seems like bs to me – the years not over and they are already listing top earners? TS is making less than 1 million/show? I don’t even know why i care, but the huge difference definitely made me think twice – maybe because ts tour isnt over yet?

  7. Ashley says:

    Good for Katy,I love her. She doesn’t take herself too seriously,and she’s living life to the fullest,good on her.

  8. lucy2 says:

    Holy crap. I don’t care for her screaming, I mean, screeching, oops “singing”, or the goofy costumes and stuff, but you have to hand it to her for making serious bank.

  9. Tippi says:

    She’s unwatchable and makes my ears bleed but good for her making so much money in spite of her musical limitations. It’s a sad indictment of current media and pop culture but at least someone’s benefiting.

  10. boredblond says:

    The Forbes article attached to this is pretty interesting..had no idea she pitched so many brands, or made so much in merchandise sales at her shows..also mentions she got a seven figure advance from the folks that do the Kim k app. I didn’t even know her real name is Kate Hudson –sounds like a smart cookie who realized she needs to capitalize on her name now for security later.

    • WinnieCoopersMom says:

      ..let’s not underestimate her smart team of accountants, managers and attorneys who advise her on all investments and business matters. These comments crack me up, like she is the brains behind the whole operation. No. These pop stars are only as successful as their PR and support team make them.

  11. emma says:

    … how did she earn it? Is it all from concerts/touring? Is she an investment banker? Is she selling some sort of clothing line? What is going on?!

  12. Jo says:

    She is a bad singer.Having that income is an insult to legitimate singers.

  13. Incognito says:

    I like her. Her songs a catchy. They aren’t mind blowing introspective albums but she never sold herself as a serious artist like that. I mean, how serious are you taking things if you have a cupcake bra on?

    I think she is more business savy than she lets on, but if not, at least she has the sense to put people who are in positions that help her.

    I do find it really surprising that she would earn more than Swift though. But maybe it’s her endorsements? Either way, good for her.

  14. NeNe says:

    That much money for having no talent???? WTF!!!

  15. WinnieCoopersMom says:

    Not sure how some people can see her as down-to-earth. She has done some very try-hard things..bringing her boobs out to Sesame Street, random ESPN/Ole Miss fiasco last season, wearing American flag like a headpiece for Clinton rally. She tries really hard to be the cool girl. Yeah it has paid off but dont act like she is some sweet and absurdly talented down-to-earth girl next door. She is an auto tuned pop girl, who sings other people’s words and has the right PR machine for American culture. That’s why she is successful.

  16. Veronica says:

    The Prism tour was massive, wasn’t it? That’s probably where most of that revenue came in. She’s also the face of Covergirl, which I’m sure is very lucrative. Most of Taylor’s income this year would have come in from actual record sales and a shorter tour, so that may explain the difference. I’d be curious to see if Swift is actually contracted with any brands right now – last time I remember her doing anything mainstream, it was T-Mobile.

  17. Blondemexoxo says:

    She sure is into wearing wigs full time now!

  18. Pinetree13 says:

    Not really on topic but over 100 million is too much money for ANY person let alone in one year! The rest of us have to work full time just to get by. Sigh, it’s so unfair. It just sickens me how rich the rich are getting.