Top 10 Highest-Paid Celebrities in 2024 and Their Brand Partnerships
In 2024, the entertainment world’s biggest earners are expanding their influence far beyond their core industries. Through strategic partnerships, these top celebrities are turning their brands into multifaceted empires, each collaboration tailored to their image and audience. Here’s a breakdown of the top 10 highest-paid celebrities and the brand deals that amplify their influence.
1. Taylor Swift
Annual Earnings: $250 million
Top Partnerships
- Apple Music: Swift’s exclusive releases and carefully curated playlists help Apple Music retain its competitive edge in streaming. Her presence on Apple’s platform reinforces her influence on music consumption habits.
- Capital One: With exclusive Swift-branded credit cards and promotional deals, Capital One benefits from her vast fanbase, which sees value in special perks like early concert access and branded merchandise.
- Stella McCartney: Swift’s eco-conscious collaboration with designer Stella McCartney reflects her commitment to sustainability and fashion. The collection uses recycled materials and sustainable practices, appealing to environmentally aware fans who see Swift as a role model for ethical consumerism.
Swift’s "Eras Tour" has shattered records globally, selling out stadiums in minutes and reinforcing her reputation as a powerhouse performer. Her strategic brand partnerships further her impact across music, finance, and fashion.
2. Cristiano Ronaldo
Annual Earnings: $225 million
Top Partnerships
- Nike: Ronaldo’s lifetime deal with Nike reportedly worth over $1 billion includes his signature CR7 line, which spans footwear, apparel, and equipment. This long-term partnership ensures Ronaldo’s image remains connected with high-performance, luxury sportswear.
- Binance: In the cryptocurrency market, Ronaldo’s partnership with Binance connects him with a forward-thinking audience interested in tech and digital assets. As a global sports icon, his association with crypto brings Binance credibility among mainstream audiences.
- CR7 Brand: His self-owned CR7 brand has expanded from sportswear to include fragrances, eyewear, and a soon-to-launch skincare line. Ronaldo’s hands-on approach with his brand enables him to control and grow his influence far beyond soccer.
With over 500 million followers on Instagram, Ronaldo’s massive online presence boosts his partnerships, creating direct lines to his fanbase. His involvement in diverse industries reflects his savvy approach to longevity in brand-building.
3. Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson
Annual Earnings: $180 million
Top Partnerships
- Under Armour - Project Rock: Johnson’s Project Rock collection of performance apparel and footwear connects with athletes and fitness enthusiasts. His motivational approach aligns perfectly with Under Armour’s ethos, and his line is a consistent top-seller.
- ZOA Energy: His energy drink brand, ZOA, is positioned as a clean-energy drink for people pursuing fitness goals. Johnson’s massive online presence fuels ZOA’s visibility, and his authenticity as a fitness advocate lends credibility to the brand.
- Ford: As a longtime ambassador, Johnson’s relationship with Ford focuses on rugged, adventure-ready vehicles like the Ford F-150. His Ford endorsement appeals to his outdoors-loving, hard-working fanbase, aligning well with his image as a tough yet relatable figure.
Johnson’s partnerships are well-tailored to his brand of strength and discipline. His social media posts showcasing his workouts and motivational messages resonate with his followers, further reinforcing his partnerships.
4. Lionel Messi
Annual Earnings: $175 million
Top Partnerships
- Adidas: With a lifetime deal, Messi is one of Adidas’s most prominent global ambassadors. His signature lines of cleats and sportswear connect with soccer fans and athletic enthusiasts, reinforcing Adidas’s presence in the soccer market.
- As an ambassador for Hard Rock, Messi’s image is featured on branded memorabilia and merchandise, connecting him with a broader audience of music and sports fans.
Messi’s recent move to Inter Miami has expanded his presence in the U.S., increasing his visibility and further cementing his global appeal. His brand is recognized in both sports and lifestyle, with partnerships that mirror his widespread fan appeal.
5. Beyoncé
Annual Earnings: $170 million
Top Partnerships
- Tiffany & Co.: As the face of Tiffany’s luxury jewelry campaigns, Beyoncé embodies the brand’s timeless elegance. Her collaboration has included exclusive photoshoots and video campaigns, solidifying her position in the luxury market.
- Levi’s: Her new cowgirl-esque campaign for Levi’s marks a fresh take on Western wear, inspired by her Southern roots. It also seamlessly follows her Cowboy Carter album that she dropped earlier this year that merges soul with country music. Her Levi’s campaign backdrops a co-created song with Post Malone titled “Levi’s Jeans,” that is also in her album. The campaign includes a line of denim pieces celebrating Americana and the power of denim.
Beyoncé’s Levi’s partnership merges fashion, music, and personal history, capturing the essence of American style with a contemporary twist. Her strategic choices in partnerships reinforce her cultural impact, spanning multiple industries.
6. LeBron James
Annual Earnings: $160 million
Top Partnerships
- Nike: James’s lifetime Nike contract is one of the most lucrative athlete endorsements, with signature shoes that appeal to both athletes and fashion-forward fans.
- PepsiCo: Collaborating with PepsiCo, LeBron appears in major marketing campaigns for Pepsi and Mountain Dew, connecting with a mainstream consumer base.
- Beats by Dre: His involvement with Beats brings him into tech-focused campaigns, promoting headphones as essential gear for athletes and music lovers alike.
Beyond endorsements, LeBron has ventured into media through his SpringHill Entertainment company, producing films and series. His investments, such as in Blaze Pizza, further diversify his portfolio.
7. Justin Bieber
Annual Earnings: $130 million
Top Partnerships
- Calvin Klein: Bieber’s partnership with Calvin Klein has produced iconic campaigns that emphasize his style influence and reach a young, fashion-conscious audience.
- Drew House: His own clothing brand, Drew House, features casual, streetwear-inspired pieces and has developed a loyal following thanks to Bieber’s direct involvement and laid-back designs.
- Tim Hortons: Bieber’s collaboration with Canada’s iconic coffee brand, including limited-edition “Biebs Brew” coffee and donut holes (or “Timbiebs”), highlights his connection to Canadian culture and appeals to his wide fanbase.
Bieber’s brand partnerships reflect his multifaceted appeal, from luxury fashion to approachable everyday products. His ventures are well-aligned with his image and resonate with fans globally, combining his status as a pop icon with a savvy business approach.
8. Ariana Grande
Annual Earnings: $130 million
Top Partnerships
- Swarovski: Grande’s collaboration with Swarovski in 2024 highlights her glamor and sophisticated image. In 2024, she was announced as the new brand ambassador. Ariana expressed her excitement in the announcement, saying, “it is an honor to represent a House that shares my passion for creativity, pushes the boundaries beyond the world of jewelry, and promotes values of unapologetic self-expression. I cannot wait to embark on this journey and to inspire others to embrace their own unique sparkle.” You can shop her look with Swarovski here.
- REM Beauty: Grande’s own cosmetics line, REM Beauty, focuses on cruelty-free products and innovative makeup that reflects her distinct style. The brand has quickly gained a following, driven by Grande’s active engagement with fans on social media.
- Ulta Beauty: By partnering with Ulta, Grande ensures REM Beauty reaches a wider audience through exclusive in-store displays, tapping into the mainstream beauty market and making her brand more accessible.
Ariana Grande’s brand partnerships align with her status as a pop and style icon. Her collaborations in beauty and luxury jewelry capture her audience’s interest, creating aspirational products that are accessible to fans worldwide.
9. Drake
Annual Earnings: $130 million
Top Partnerships
- Nike NOCTA: Drake’s streetwear line NOCTA is a unique blend of sportswear and urban fashion, designed to appeal to fans of his music and style. He includes other artists in his campaigns, with UK rapper Central Cee being one of the most notable collaborations.
- Apple Music: A longstanding collaboration, Drake has exclusive content on Apple Music, and his playlists and releases align with Apple’s brand for a high-quality music experience.
- Virginia Black Whiskey: Co-founding this whiskey brand, Drake appeals to luxury consumers and positions himself in the premium beverage industry.
Drake’s influence in music and fashion makes him a highly desirable face for companies. His projects connect with audiences who appreciate a blend of luxury and lifestyle branding.
10. George Clooney
Annual Earnings: $120 million
Top Partnerships
- Casamigos Tequila: Co-founded by Clooney, Casamigos became a high-end tequila brand, acquired by Diageo in a $1 billion deal. With this being one of the most popular tequila drinks, casamigos is mentioned in over hundreds of pop and rap songs and is the go to choice of younger generations.
- Nespresso: As the face of Nespresso, Clooney promotes the brand’s premium coffee products with a humorous twist, making it a top choice in the coffee market.
- Omega Watches: His long-term partnership with Omega aligns him with luxury timepieces, enhancing his classic Hollywood image.
Clooney’s business ventures and brand endorsements reflect his refined, international appeal in both lifestyle and luxury. These ventures help to reinforce the image of George Clooney as the quintessential gentleman.
