I’m sure I’ve talked about this before, but I really question the math and the calculating formula Forbes uses to compile most of their listicles. I’m reminded of that with Forbes’ latest list of the “highest paid actresses” in Hollywood. Forbes takes into account actresses’ side-projects, like ad campaigns and endorsement deals… but only in some cases. Like, how is Jessica Alba not one of the “highest paid actresses”? Because girl is making serious money off The Honest Company, but she’s just not making money from acting? Same with Gwyneth Paltrow – she’s getting rich off of selling organic snake oil to dumb rich women, but she’s not making money from acting anymore either. Neither Paltrow nor Alba made Forbes’ list. No, Scarlett Johansson topped the list, mostly because of her Marvel contract. Which, again, I question why Forbes thinks ScarJo is making such major bank with Marvel. Marvel notoriously underpays their stars. Here’s the list:
Scarlett Johansson has topped Forbes’ annual ranking of Hollywood’s highest-paid actresses, surpassing Angelina Jolie and Jennifer Aniston who came in at number two and three, respectively. Emma Stone claimed the spot in 2017 with a cool $26 million, but Johansson — who has a number of Marvel films under her belt — brought in a huge $40.5 million this year, Forbes reported. Marvel’s Avengers films are certainly a big reason for the actress’ earnings, with another film on the way which will feature Johansson’s Black Widow in 2019.
Johansson released two movies in 2017, Rough Night and Ghost in the Shell, for which she earned backlash for portraying a Japanese character. This year, the actress has starred in Isle of Dogs and Avengers: Infinity War.
The Avengers: Infinity War actress was followed closely by Jolie who came in at No. 2 with $28 million for the year. Behind Jolie is longtime fan favorite Aniston who earned $19.5 million, who made most of her earnings from lucrative deals with Emirates airlines, Smartwater and Aveeno, the magazine reported. Jennifer Lawrence comes in at No. 4, with Reese Witherspoon just behind her with $16.5 million from recent success in producing and starring in Big Little Lies. Others rounding out the list include Cate Blanchett ($12.5 million) and Wonder Woman’s Gal Gadot ($10 million).
Disney likely is paying Angelina big-time for Maleficent 2, plus she has endorsement deals, like her contract with Guerlain. Except she’s already said that the Guerlain money is going to charity, so again, I question these calculations. Out of this group, I suspect it’s Jennifer Aniston who has made the most money, and very little of it if from acting. Aniston has huge deals with SmartWater, Aveeno, Emirates and Living Proof. She’s getting backends from Living Proof and SmartWater. And on top of that, she’s flipping mansions for crazy profits. Also: how much is Dior paying Jennifer Lawrence, because I thought her Dior contract alone would put her at the top of the list? And how much did Scarlett get paid to be Asian in Ghost In the Shell? So many questions.
Photos courtesy of WENN.
I think ScarJo and Downey are the only two to get backend points in their Marvel contracts. Once they figured out how much they had to pay Downey, they shut that down, hence the stingy contracts.
Your questions are legit.
The brand Forbes provides legitimacy, but for a while now their stats have made no sense.
Even people like Gisele have called them out for pulling numbers out of their butts.
Yeah I questioned Kendull Jenner being the top paid model, mostly because she does not have any major deals (I think she’s still signed with Este but I never see her anymore), and she doesn’t walk. So it’s just her Instagram posts. And I honestly don’t think Kylie is worth $900 million either.
Angelina got £33 million plus 10% backend for Maleficent. So it’s not out there that she is getting 28 million plus 10% for the sequel. Plus she also got millions for Ivan and Come Again – not shabby got a woman who is supposedly hated in Hollywood 🙄
Scarlett got hers through Marvel while Jennifer got hers not through acting but endorsements. I personally think only money through acting should be counted and then show who earns the most.
Don’t think Angie is not clocking dollars from Guerlain. Plus she has 50% of that winery in Paris. I will put money on the fact she has got other deals. BP wanted you all to know she is a wealthy woman pretending she needs his support to help her with his children. Lol the Lush
This doesn’t make any sense. They’re counting endorsements for some but not for others?
I think they just look at who is popular/in the news/in a big movie that year and try to back into a reason why they do so well.
I think Angie asked for child support b/c dude wants us to believe he wants to be w/ his kids, (which I sideeye b/c I feel he’s just doing this for his image), he needs to pay his share. Notice how Angie, didn’t comment back on it. She’s prob laughing b/c she was able to hit him where it hurts just like he hit her w/ the alienation lies. Angie can take care of those kids by herself but why should she when he can pitch in half to help. It’s just like the Chateau, he wanted to take it all and Angie was like No Sir, half of that is mine. Lol. The woman about her business and securing a lucrative future for her kids. Makes sense to me.
Also, let me add that the reason these women are on this list could be b/c they still act and/or at least have had lead roles in the last couple of years. Gwyneth (just two mins in Avengers doesn’t count, lol), Jessica and Gisele haven’t.
I’m so happy Angie’s going back to acting tho. Can’t wait to see all her movies. I really think she’s a great actress and I would love for her to do more films that showcase this, Oscar award winning stuff. Yay.
So is this why no Black Widow movie? (If she has a backend deal) Marvel probably figure she’s already getting enough money.