Madonna Is No Longer Popular

Last year, Madonna ranked fifth on our Celebrity 100 list with an estimated $125 million in earnings between June 2012 and June 2013 and strong marks in our metrics designed to quantify fame. This year, she won’t make the list. Fans might ask: How can that be?



In one word: touring. It used to be that bands toured to goose sales of their albums. But there’s no money left in music sales. Now bands release albums to get people into giant stadiums to drop hundreds of dollars on tickets and merchandise. During the time frame for last year’s list, the Material Girl had an incredibly successful tour that netted her more than she’s earned in any given year since we started the Celebrity 100 in 1999.



But with her world tour behind her, Madonna’s earnings dropped precipitously this year. That meant she couldn’t compete with bands that had more money and more fame.



But Madonna fans shouldn’t despair. The singer has appeared on seven Celebrity 100 lists in the last 14 years. Since her first appearance on the list in 2002, she’s never disappeared for more than two years. When Madonna tours, the whole world flocks to see her. Once she gets back on the road, expect her to also return to the Celebrity 100.