According to Forbes, these are the top 20 celebrity figures of 2011 who have raked in serious dough, served as societal influences, and effectively left us in awe.
Pop Culture Royalty
From adolescent to senior citizen, eccentric pop star to TV psychology host, straight-edge to risky contrarian, these are the pop culture icons who've earned their spots on Forbes' annual "Most Powerful Celebrities" list. We've gathered together the top 20 diverse stars, and yes, there's plenty of Justin Bieber and Lady Gaga action in here20. Paul McCartney
Paul McCartney has taken his explosively successful Beatles career and refused to let it dry out. He's continued to tour and wrapped up 30 perfomances this year. He's worth around $1.2 billion and is listed in the Guiness Book of World Records as the most commercially successful musician ever. Take that, Lady Gaga.
19. Tyler Perry
Tyler Perry has helped infuse humor into uptight cultural conflicts, and people love him for it. The producer/actor/writer continues to make us feel comfortable with inherently uncomfortable subjects in his films like Why Did I Get Married? and Madea's Big Happy Family. His films have earned upwards of $300 million, and successfully crossed cultural boundaries, which has no price tag.
18. Dr. Phil
We know, massive yawn. Dr. Phil's seemingly tired himself out, but apparently lots of America is still fixated by the guy. The Oprah-elevated self-help fixture is still soaring with his ultra popular talk show Dr. Phil which is set to air through 2014. Oprah is also playing reruns of the show on her new network. This cheesey representation of our need for self-understanding is here to stay.
17. Donald Trump
So, Donald Trump's not going to be the next U.S. president after all. But he could raise a hell of an army with the attention this guy can accumulate. The real estate/reality TV/self promoter mogul is worth an unclear amount, but his name is worth a whole lot. He's trademarked the words "Donald Trump" to everything from NYC skyscrapers, neckties and golf courses.
16. Black Eyed Peas
So this band is not a celebrity figure, per se, but has created a team persona that feels like a power force itself. Some call their 2011 Super Bowl performance a flub, but who cares? They got the honor. They were also busy touring the world and setting up endorsement deals with Samsung, Pepsi, Honda, Verizon, Chase and others. 
15. Leonardo DiCaprio
Leonardo DiCaprio keeps his personal life on the down-low and the endorsements at a minimum, but his lucrative film career earned him a solid #15 on Forbes' list. Oscar-nominated film Inception was the sixth highest earning film of 2010 (at a mere $825 million in earnings) and his production company has a few big films lined up. He also made $77 million last year. No big.
14. Kobe Bryant
Whether you love him or hate him, Kobe Bryant's still NBA's biggest star. Last year he became the youngest NBA player to reach 26,000 points, and he earned $4 million more than any other b-ball player. He's also signed on as the new posterboy for Mercedez Benz and Turkish Airlines.
13. Johnny Depp
Johnny Depp somehow pulls of being extremely present in Hollywood while still maintaining his elusive existence. He bypasses many of the big awards shows (except for the Teen Choice Awards) but most movies he touches turn to gold. Rango, his 2010 animated flick, grossed $240 million, The Tourist earned $280 million, and the new Pirates of the Caribbean installment is sure to rake in the dough.
12. Katy Perry
Katy Perry's made it normal to be weird, but in a reachable, realistic way (unlike her peer Lady Gaga's untouchable eccentricity.) Her 2010 album, Teenage Dream, produced four #1 singles -- and she had women singing about kissing other girls all over the world. She's also formed an unexpected power-couple marriage with new hubby Russell Brand.
11. Angelina Jolie
Angelina Jolie's still kicking ass in action films unparallel to other chick actors (last year's Salt had favorable reviews and The Tourist grossed $280 million.) What people sometimes forget is she's still a Goodwill Ambassador and is raising a brood of 6 tykes. And Hollywood hasn't stopped bowing down to her and Brad Pitt.
10. LeBron James
Our hyper-sensitive society freaked when LeBron James announced he was leaving the Cavaliers for Miami Heat, but the country's gotten over it. James' had a topsy-turvy season with the Heat, but his jersey was the best-seller on the NBA paraphernalia market and he has the #1 selling shoe. And in the professional sports league, that means you're winning the game.
9. Simon Cowell
Simon Cowell separated himself from the American Idol franchise this year -- a strategic, and wise move. His British singing competition show X Factor is migrating over to the states, and it's all the buzz. Simon was the benefactor of Idol, and it's no secret that's changed the landscape of our country's nightly boob-tube fix.
8. Bon Jovi
Jon Bon Jovi's band is 28 years old, and 'aint losing any steam. Their 2010 The Circle Tour was recognized by Billboard as the most profitable tour of the year. The hard rock band released its greatest hits album and earned about $200 million performing around the country. He's also been handpicked by President Obama to serve on a philanthropic community board. Power at its finest.
7. Taylor Swift
Taylor Swift still likes to act surprised by her fame, and we're still not buying it. Swift hasn't stopped winning tri-honors at awards shows, and her Speak Now record went triple-platinum within 30 days. She earned $45 million last year, and has continued to serve as a healthy role model for teenage girls. Which is more than us '80s babies can say about our pop princesses.
6. Tiger Woods
Affair, schmaffair. Tiger Woods might deal with some residual adversity since his cheating scandal, but he's still the best paid athlete out there. He's still at a $3 million price point for appearance fees oversees, and his EA Sports video game had the best sales in 14 years. Redemption is your friend, Tiger.
5. Elton John
He's been knighted by Queen Elizabeth, and it's for damn good reason. Elton John's iconic career has consisted largely of philanthropic work (that includes charity concerts), and last year he put on 102 performances. He also attended the royal wedding, welcomed a baby with partner David Furnish, and is buddies with Lady Gaga.
4. U2
These Irish rockers just wrapped up a worldwide tour comeback – and to our disbelief, surpassed the other legendary band on tour, the Rolling Stones, in sales. Over the past two years, U2 sold $700 million in tickets and played in front of 7 million people. That's bloody good.
This 17-year-old has reached bigger-than-life global stardom. His album My Life 2.0 easily went platinum, his movie Never Say Never grossed $100 million, he's in a high-profile teeny romance with Selena Gomez, his "Baby" music video surpassed a YouTube record with 500 million views. Need say more? Oh, his life-dedicated fanbase has its own claim to fame: they've been penned "Beliebers."
2. Oprah Winfrey
While her show has retired, Oprah Winfrey's not trying to terminate her career any time soon. With the launch of OWN, the Oprah Winfrey Network, she's pushing to make shows like Becoming Chaz and The Gayle King Show successes. But if they don't fare well, she still has her $270 million net worth.
1. Lady Gaga
Lady Gaga snatched the #1 spot on this year's list. She has redefined what artistic expression means -- by setting no limits. Call her the new Madonna or a wannabe, but the facts speak for themselves. She grossed $170 million in 137 shows last year, has sold 15 million albums, and has a ridiculous $32 million Facebook followers. She can also be found on all billboards, TV commercials and TV screens near you.
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