Kristen Stewart Tops Forbes' List of Highest-Paid Actresses

Kristen Stewart topped this year's Forbes List of Highest-Paid Actresses. Kristen earned a total estimated earnings of $34.5 million between May 2011 and May 2012.

Forbes reports:

Kristen Stewart has vaulted to the top of our annual list of the highest-paid actresses in Hollywood. At this point, could anyone else play Bella Swan in Twilight? Probably not; if the studio tried to switch in another actress, fans would revolt. So for the last two Twilight films, Stewart has been able to demand an estimated $12.5 million per film, plus a share of the profits. Her two co-stars, Robert Pattinson and Taylor Lautner, get paid the same, but Stewart earned more than them this year because of Snow White and the Huntsman. Stewart’s earnings between May 2011 and May 2012 totaled $34.5 million, helping her rank 43rd on our Celebrity 100 list. (The list measures a combination of money and fame.). At 22, Stewart is the youngest woman on our list by 16 years. The next youngest is Kristen Wiig who is 38. Last year Stewart ranked 5th on our list of the Highest-Paid Actresses tied with Julia Roberts. This year Roberts ranked 6th. Women are still paid less than men in the movie business. The 10 actresses who make up our list earned a total $200 million compared to the $361 million brought in by our top 10 men.

Here's a TIME write-up:

Sharpen your claws, Robert Pattinson lovers, because your rival just got even more enviable. Not only is Kristen Stewart dating your vampire boyfriend, but she’s also the highest paid actress in Hollywood, according to Forbes. Stewart’s acting in the megahit Twilight series (bite lip, furrow brow, repeat)  shot her to the top of the list this year, with total estimated earnings of $34.5 million between May 2011 and May 2012. How could a 22-year-old have surpassed box office stalwarts like Cameron Diaz and Sandra Bullock (numbers 2 and 3 on the list, respectively)? According to Forbes, it’s because the actress is pretty much irreplaceable as Twilight‘s exsanguinated teenage heroine Bella Swan– which has allowed her to demand $12.5 million for each of the last two installments in the Twilight Saga as well as a slice of the profits. Forbes‘ earnings estimates take into account “upfront pay, profit participation, residuals, endorsements and advertising work.” Diaz came in second for her highly profitably film Bad Teacher, which raked in $216 million at the international box office, despite costing only $20 million. Her other work this year in the films What to Expect Wen You’re Expecting and The Green Hornet earned her an estimated $34 million. Adding to Stewart’s pile, and allowing her to edge out Diaz, was her star turn in this summer’s fantasy-action film Snow White and the Huntsman, which assured her place as the richest of them all in Hollywood. At least until next year.

via TIME, Forbes