Selena Gomez, Taylor Swift, Kim Kardashian and More Stars’ Net Worth

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Who run the world? Girls.

It’s worth noting that some popular female personalities such as Selena Gomez, Taylor Swift, Kim Kardashian, and Beyoncé made it onto Forbes’ list of the wealthiest self-made American women. Their wealth comes largely from successful businesses in areas like fashion, beauty, and other endeavors.

Significantly, Selena, aged 32, debuted on the magazine’s yearly list with a net worth of $700 million. A significant portion of this wealth comes from her successful cosmetics brand, Rare Beauty. The actress, who stars in ‘Only Murders in the Building’, owns at least 51% of this company, according to Forbes’ estimation. In just one year, 2024, Rare Beauty is said to have generated around $370 million in revenue.

Simultaneously, Taylor, aged 35, experienced a significant increase in her net worth by approximately 23 percent to $1.6 billion. This surge was largely due to her successful Eras Tour, which concluded in December, and factors such as album sales and the chart-topping re-recordings of her music. (The figures provided by Forbes were calculated as of May 2, prior to the singer acquiring the master recordings of her first six albums.)

In comparison to Taylor’s previous competitor, Kim surpassed her with an approximately $1.7 billion net worth, mainly due to the success of her popular Skims shapewear brand. Notably, this figure is more than twice as much as that of Kylie Jenner, Kim’s 27-year-old sister, who amassed a net worth of $670 million through her successful Kylie Cosmetics business.

The list additionally showcased heavyweight talents such as Beyoncé (worth $780 million), Céline Dion, and Reese Witherspoon (each with a net worth of $440 million). However, there’s one celebrity who outranks them all in terms of their financial status.

Indeed, Oprah Winfrey boasts an astounding estimated fortune of approximately $3.1 billion. However, this influential figure, who broke barriers in 2003 by becoming the first Black woman ever to amass a billion dollars, has expressed that her true happiness doesn’t stem from wealth, but rather from fulfilling the purpose of making someone else feel happier.

During an interview with NPR in 2023, Oprah shared that her fondest memories of candy bars, such as Three Musketeers or Snickers (and oh, how she loved Almond Joy!), came from when she was a young girl growing up in Mississippi. A real candy bar was a rare treat, and she learned early on that enjoying it was even more delightful if she had someone to share the moment with, someone who would exclaim, “Isn’t this delicious?” Sharing her treat made the experience all the sweeter for her as a child.

To see what other stars have said about their earnings, keep reading.

Jenna Johnson, winner of season 33, mentioned that although there’s no monetary reward for winning the mirrorball trophy on Dancing With the Stars, contestants who reach the finale are guaranteed payment until then. She added that there’s also an additional bonus for the participants.

If you emerge victorious in this competition, Johnson clarified, it doesn’t automatically mean a seven-figure payout. Instead, you’ll be presented with an attractive trophy. For those who exit the dance floor early, Johnson added that they are assured of a certain number of weeks’ worth of compensation.

(It has been reported in various sources that dancers start at around $1,200 to $1,600 per episode, potentially rising to $100,000 per season, although ABC has not confirmed these figures. Conversely, celebrities begin with a base salary of $125,000, and as they progress in the contest, they may receive additional bonuses, with semifinalists and finalists earning up to an extra $50,000.)

Jennifer Lawrence, a previous Academy Award recipient, received $25 million for her role in Adam McKay’s ensemble disaster comedy “Don’t Look Up”. However, Leonardo DiCaprio, another Oscar winner and her co-star, earned $30 million for the same project.

Lawrence explained to Vanity Fair for their December 2020/January 2021 issue, “See, Leo earns more at the box office than I do.” She continued, “I’m incredibly content with my contract. However, in various professional situations, I, along with many other women, have experienced discomfort when bringing up the topic of equal pay. And if you do raise questions about what seems unfair, you’re often told it’s not gender-related, but they can’t provide a clear explanation for the disparity.

Her optimistic outlook on things was earned through struggle: When it was discovered in the 2014 Sony email leak that Lawrence’s pay for 2013’s American Hustle was significantly less than her male costars, it sparked a broad discussion about the wage disparity between genders in Hollywood.

In a conversation with Channel 4 News in 2017, Lawrence expressed gratitude for her job but noted that money isn’t her concern. Instead, she felt upset over the unjustness and disparity she encountered, rather than being disappointed by receiving only a certain amount of money for a movie.

In contrast to DiCaprio’s earnings: Jonah Hill received approximately $60,000 (before deductions and taxes) for his role in “The Wolf of Wall Street” back in 2013, whereas the film’s main character, Jordan Belfort, made a staggering $10 million.

In 2014, on The Howard Stern Show, he mentioned that they offered him the least amount of money they could. However, it was an opportunity to work in a Martin Scorsese film, and since he had worked on Moneyball previously, he wanted to secure the deal before anyone could reconsider.

Hill expressed that he would give away his home and all his savings to work with Scorsese, explaining that such an opportunity isn’t about earning money. He would have done anything under the sun for it and would gladly do so again. This isn’t about financial gain; it’s about doing things you truly care about.

Oprah Winfrey happily accepted only a little bit of green to star in 1985’s The Color Purple.

In 2023, the billionaire media tycoon shared with Essence that they were given $35,000 for a role in a film, which he deemed as the most valuable $35,000 he ever made. He explained that it had a profound impact and imparted many lessons to him.

In the 1997 movie biography of Tejano singer Selena Quintanilla, Jennifer Lopez was the first Latin actress to secure a million-dollar paycheck for her role in a film.

In 2019, Lopez shared with Variety that she was so young and unaware of the circumstances surrounding her breakout film. Essentially, it was an incredible opportunity when they offered her a million dollars. It felt as if everyone was sending a message or making a bold statement with this decision.

Her success initially opened up opportunities for her to earn even more, approximately half a billion dollars, yet on occasion, her involvement came at no expense.

Lopez stated to GQ in 2019 that she performs tasks out of passion rather than monetary gain. For instance, she didn’t receive a significant amount of money for Hustlers; instead, she did it for free and even produced it herself. Essentially, she relies on her own abilities, similar to the sentiment expressed in Jenny From the Block—she does what she loves.

Adrien Brody didn’t star in “The Brutalist” for financial gain. Instead, he chose to portray a Hungarian architect struggling with his art in post-WWII America, earning $250,000 and winning his second Oscar for Best Actor.

In response to Variety, Brody humorously stated, “I require a studio film right away, as I’ve invested everything into this,” alluding to the castle-like barn he’s restoring in upstate New York.

Pete Davidson jokingly remarked to New York magazine about his earnings from Saturday Night Live, “Have you guys any idea what they pay me?” When asked about how he spent his money when he first joined the show at 20 in 2014. He quipped, “It’s around three thousand dollars per episode, so I believe I had dinner.

It’s noteworthy that the starting salaries for new SNL cast members have consistently stayed in proportion over time. For instance, stars from the first season like John Belushi, Jane Curtin, Gilda Radner, Dan Aykroyd, and Chevy Chase were reportedly paid $750 per episode in 1975. This amount, when adjusted for inflation using the Consumer Price Index Inflation calculator, equated to approximately $3,300 in 2014. If we fast-forward to 2025, that same 1975 salary would be equivalent to around $4,428, as per the inflation calculator.

In his 22nd season on Saturday Night Live (SNL), Kenan Thompson currently earns significantly more than $3,000 per episode. However, it’s worth remembering that even stars like him once began their careers with humble beginnings on Nickelodeon.

As I shared in Demi Lovato’s 2024 documentary, “Child Star,” it was the first commercial where I earned $800. Being just 12 years old, that sum felt like a fortune – almost equivalent to a million dollars in my eyes.

It turns out Gilmore Girls’ status as a beloved rewatchable classic is literally priceless.

As a lifestyle enthusiast, let me share an interesting tidbit I learned from Lauren Graham, the brilliant actress who brought Lorelai Gilmore to life for seven captivating seasons on Netflix, only to reprise her role for the delightful “Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life” in 2016. During an appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live in March 2025, she shared a fascinating perspective that resonated with me: “There really aren’t any residuals on Netflix,” she said, “but I’ve been compensated with love and appreciation instead.” Isn’t it wonderful how the power of great art and enduring characters can touch our hearts in such meaningful ways?

Tommy Dorfman openly discussed her earnings from “13 Reasons Why” during the 2023 SAG-AFTRA strike, an event that was partially triggered (just like the WGA strike) due to streaming platforms such as Netflix not consistently providing extra remuneration to cast and crew once a show achieves significant success.

Dorfman stated on Threads on July 24 that prior to agency and manager fees (which amounted to 20% of the total) and taxes, I earned $29,953.24 from the entire first season of ’13 Reasons Why’. This was for eight episodes over a six-month period. During this time, I did all promotional work, had key artwork for the show, and traveled round trip from New York City to San Francisco for every episode shoot. However, I barely qualified for insurance as I was kept for extended periods without pay.

Furthermore, Dorfman pointed out that “during its initial 28-day run, the show’s season 1 accumulated a grand total of 476 million viewing hours. This impressive figure is the reason behind our determination to continue.

In a casual conversation on his podcast, Dax Shepard confided in Lauren Graham, another star from the TV series “Parenthood”, that he believed he was among the least paid actors on their NBC show, which ran for six seasons.

But, the Armchair Expert host stressed that he did not mind.

He shared that before becoming a parent, he always took the initiative to learn how much everyone in their previous jobs was earning. He would either have a conversation with them to find out or discreetly ask through an intermediary such as an agent.

He deliberately avoided gathering details about his lineage related to Parenthood, thus enhancing his enjoyment of the experience, even as he occasionally sensed his position within the company’s hierarchy.

George Clooney shared with the Los Angeles Times in 2005 that he personally ensured the production of his film “Good Night, and Good Luck” by leveraging his own resources. He had to cash his check as the director and surrender his acting earnings. Additionally, Grant Heslov, who was both a co-writer and co-producer on the project, and Clooney each earned a dollar for their contributions.

The passion project centered around CBS News journalist Edward R. Murrow, who stood up to authority in the 1950s, has proven to be quite successful: Clooney is stepping into his first Broadway role by portraying Murrow in a stage version of the movie. And remarkably, during its preview week prior to the official opening on April 3rd, the play managed to earn an astounding $3.3 million (a record for non-musical plays), indicating that Clooney is raking in a substantial amount more than just $1.00.

In a chilling portrayal of Patrick Bateman in the 2000 film “American Psycho,” Christian Bale was paid the absolute minimum wage they were legally allowed to pay him, as no one in the production was keen on hiring him except director Mary Harron. This fact was shared by Bale with GQ magazine in 2022.

According to Bale, he earned such a small amount that he recalls the makeup artists chuckling at him in the trailer because his payment was lower than any of theirs.

Despite the possibility that his uncle might have been named Rico, Jon Heder clarified in 2010 that he was initially given just $1,000 for his role in Napoleon Dynamite at first.

Following the unexpected success of his unconventional comedy, he managed to renegotiate a share in the earnings. He shared this with the New Zealand Herald by saying, “The offer was slightly increased.

Djimon Hounsou openly stated that he feels he hasn’t been fairly compensated in the film industry, despite boasting an impressive resume with films like “Amistad” and “Blood Diamond”.

In an interview with Larry Madowo at CNN in January 2025, the Beninese actor expressed that he has been involved in filmmaking for more than two decades. Despite having earned two Oscar nominations and featuring in numerous blockbuster films, he admitted that he’s still grappling financially to support himself.

In her 2024 memoir titled “Rebel Rising”, Rebel Wilson recounted that she was compensated $3,500 for her role in Bridesmaids, a payment she had to use to become a member of the Screen Actors Guild. Essentially, this meant she received no actual money from the role.

Still, she wrote, the experience was “everything!”

The Australian actress’ fame soared significantly, as her earnings for a movie like “Pitch Perfect” in 2012 started from the SAG minimum scale of $65,000 and reached $10 million for “Pitch Perfect 3” in 2017. According to Wilson, she earned approximately $20 million for the threequel, “Isn’t It Romantic,” and “The Hustle,” although it is important to note that nearly half of this amount went to taxes, about 10% to her agents, and another 5% to her lawyer. Despite these expenses, as well as payments to her publicist, business manager, and assistant, Wilson still amassed a substantial fortune.

Towards the end of 2017, Ellen Pompeo successfully renegotiated her deal for the TV series Grey’s Anatomy, securing a payment of approximately $575,000 per episode. Additionally, she received a substantial signing bonus in the seven-digit range and was granted two full backend equity points, which could potentially earn her an extra $6 million to $7 million.

In 2018, Pompeo said to The Hollywood Reporter that she has reached an age (48) where she feels comfortable demanding what she rightfully deserves. She explained that her ability to do this didn’t come easily; it took time. Because, in the industry, she is often seen as less relevant due to playing the same character for 14 years. However, Pompeo emphasized that just because an actor can deliver a good performance in the early seasons doesn’t mean they can sustain that level of skill for 14 years. That’s a real talent!

More recently, Ellen Pompeo acknowledged that she earned less than her Grey’s Anatomy co-star Patrick Dempsey, despite being ‘the Grey’ herself. However, she expressed that she did not resent him for earning more.

However, during a broadcast on March 2025’s episode of Call Her Daddy, she expressed, “Since I was the namesake of this show, I felt I deserved equal treatment. That was more difficult to achieve than his success. I wasn’t resentful about his accomplishments; instead, I was resentful that they didn’t appreciate me as much as him, and they never will.

In 1978, when Jamie Lee Curtis made her film debut in Halloween, she was earning $2,000 per week, amounting to a total of $8,000. However, as she explained to Rotten Tomatoes in 2018, “to be honest, nobody received any payment for the movie.

Yet, even though the ‘scream queen’ received four-figure pay, John Carpenter’s friend Nick Castle felt like royalty earning just $25 per day to portray Michael Myers. (It was Anthony Moran whose face you see when the killer’s mask momentarily comes off, and Tommy Lee Wallace also appeared on screen as Michael.)

Back then, it was quite a deal for me! As shared with Vanity Fair in 2018, Castle, Carpenter’s USC film school colleague, noted that his motivation for joining the project stemmed from wanting an on-set experience to understand filmmaking and directing better. He anticipated being there without pay. However, he got a pleasant surprise with $25 daily wage, plus the perk of wearing a rubber mask!

Taraji P. Henson garnered a Best Supporting Actress Oscar nomination for her role in the 2008 film The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, but even years after its release, she remained passionate about the $150,000 payment she received to be part of the movie. This was after producers turned down the initial $500,000 price tag she had proposed for her services.

Regarding the main actors of the movie, Brad Pitt and Cate Blanchett, Henson mentioned on the Ladies First With Laura Brown podcast in 2021 that “At that time, $20 million quotes weren’t common anymore, but it was indeed happening. And justifiably so; I’m not suggesting they shouldn’t have been paid Cate and Brad what they rightfully deserved.

However, she went on to say, “I also planned to contribute an agreed amount to the ticket sales for this significant movie, and I believed that what I was requesting at that point in my career was reasonable given the potential earnings. I declined.” Henson felt deeply disappointed when they initially offered $100,000, she remembered. “In the end, I received $150,000, but I had to suppress my pride,” she said.

Henson clarified, “When people say ‘$150,000’ sounds like a large amount, I don’t want anyone to think I’m ungrateful because that’s not my character.” She continued, “After taxes, Uncle Sam takes half, which leaves $75,000. Before taxes, I need to pay my team 30%, so I have to give them 30% of the remaining $75,000 after taxes. So, after all is said and done, I might be left with around $40,000.

Although Cate Blanchett has accumulated significant wealth throughout her career, it’s important to note that not all of it stemmed from portraying the royal elf Galadriel in the The Lord of the Rings film series, as its global box office earnings totaled approximately $2.9 billion.

She responded sharply on “Watch What Happens Live” in August 2024 when Andy Cohen suggested that the Lord of the Rings trilogy was her biggest paycheck. “Nobody received payment for that movie…I’m just saying, I essentially got free sandwiches, and I got to keep my ears.

In other words, they didn’t receive a significant sum of money. Orlando Bloom, who portrayed the elven warrior Legolas, revealed on The Howard Stern Show in 2023 that he earned only $175,000 for the entire Lord of the Rings trilogy.

Hopefully he also got to keep his ears.

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2025-06-04 23:19