LONDON, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 16: Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart at the UK premiere of The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part 1 at Westfield Stratford City on November 16, 2011 in London, England.
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.
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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.
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