Five Top-Earning Tween Idols
Following in the footsteps of Michael Jackson, who was THE ultimate tween idol, are a whole new modern set of young of stars. Some of them aren’t even old enough to drive a car. But when it comes to banking millions, these tween idols are old pros. Together, Hollywood's 5 top-earning tween idols – whose main fans range from 8 to 14 years old – made $107 million last year.
#1: Miley Cyrus
At just 15 years old, Miley Cyrus is the face of a billion-dollar brand. Her TV series has some of the Disney Channel’s highest ratings and you can find her face on everything from lunch boxes to backpacks. Miley’s sold-out Best of Both Worlds concert tour raked in $54 million (the 3-D concert movie brought in nearly $70 million more) and in its first week, her solo debut album Breakout sold 371,000 copies, making Miley the youngest star ever to have three No. 1 albums in a two-year span.
#2: Daniel Radcliffe
The Harry Potter star signed a contract worth an estimated $50 million to continue his leading role in the last two "Potter" installations. The final story, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, was split into two movies, which could mean even more cash for the 19-year-old star. When he isn't mixing potions, Daniel’s doing his best to broaden his range of roles. He played the main role in My Boy Jack, a made-for-TV movie and made his Broadway debut in a play called Equus.
#3: Olsen Twins
Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen take third place on the list, banking an estimated $15 million over the course of one year. Although at 22 they’re no longer tweens themselves, their tween-focused retail empire, Dualstar (which they assumed control of when they turned 18), is a total hit with their fans. Now the fashion-forward twins, still best known for their shared role as Michelle Tanner on Full House, are trying to attract an older audience with two adult-focused fashion lines, the Row and Elizabeth & James.
#4: Jonas Brothers
The Jonas Brothers of New Jersey have raked in more than $50 million from touring, album sales and merchandise. In 2008 the brothers signed a multimillion-dollar, 140-show contract with concert promoter Live Nation, put out a new CD called A Little Bit Longer, got their own Disney Channel series: J.O.N.A.S. (for Junior Operatives Networking as Spies) in the works and made a 3-D concert film.
#5: Zack Efron
High School Musical star Zac Efron raked in $5.8 million in 2008; the 20-year-old heartthrob went on to score parts in a few feature flicks including Seventeen Again, Me and Orson Welles and, of course, High School Musical 3.
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