Diddy ousts Swift to top list

NEW YORK — Rapper turned businessman Diddy was the world’s top-paid celebrity in the past year, edging out closest competitor Beyonce, Forbessaidinitsannualliston Monday.

Diddy earned $130 million inthepast12months,ofwhich $70 million came from selling a one-third stake in his Sean John clothing line.

Diddy — whose real name is Sean Combs and earlier in his career was known as Puff Daddy — is estimated by Forbes to be worth a total of $820 million even though he has released little music in the past decade.

But he has pursued a variety of business interests and last year headlined a North Americanarenatourwithotherartists on his Bad Boy Records label.

Beyonce came second at $105 million after her lucrative Formation tour, an elaborately staged set of performances that followed her Lemonade album.

Beyonce is estimated to be worth $1 billion with her husband, rap mogul Jay Z, who was number 55 on the list.

Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling, who published a series of e-books last year, came in third at $95 million, making her the highest-paid celebrity outside of music.

She narrowly edged out Canadian hip-hop star Drake, Portuguese footballer Cristiano Ronaldo and Canadian R&B sensation The Weeknd.

The list can swing rapidly from year to year. Pop star Taylor Swift, who topped the previousyear’slistbyearning$170 million, slipped to 49th place as she had concluded her tour.

The few non-Western celebrities on the list included martial arts film legend Jackie Chan at No 39 and Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan at 65.

REUTERS Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs earned $130 million in the past 12 months.