News Americas, NEW YORK, NY, Fri. June 28, 2013: Two Caribbean celebrities are among the most powerful globally, according to Forbes.
Barbadian singer and actress Rihanna, who burst on to the world stage in 2005 with her “Music Of The Sun” debut album, is at number 13 on the list compiled annually by Forbes magazine while the World’s fastest man, Usain St. Leo Bolt is at number 48 with US$24 million.
RiRi, as she is known, took home US$43 million last year, but shone brighter than most celebrities for her press and social media ranks, at number one and two, respectively.
But the rank was a marked drop for Rihanna who last year was named by Forbes as the fourth most powerful celebrity of 2012, with earnings of $53 million between May 2011 and May 2012.
Rihanna’s work has earned her numerous awards and accolades, including six Grammy Awards, five American Music Awards, 22 Billboard Music Awards, and two BRIT Awards. She has sold more than 100 million records worldwide, which makes her one of the best-selling artists of all time.
She has achieved twelve number one singles on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, the youngest solo artist to achieve the feat. Billboard named her the Digital Songs Artist of the 2000s decade, ranking her seventeenth overall.
Last year, TIME named Rihanna one of the 100 Most Influential People in the World.
Bolt is making his debut on the list. He introduced himself to the world at the 2008 Games when he set world records in the 100 and 200 meter events. Bolt earns little in prize money, but cashes in through endorsements, appearance fees and sponsor bonuses for record race times. He is among the top 40 highest paid athletes in the world.
Meanwhile, Puerto Rican American actress and singer, Jennifer Lopez, came in at one rank above Rihanna, at number 12 with earnings of US$45 million.
