You may be familiar with the annual Forbes Rich List, a ranking of the richest people in the world, but now the business publication has announced its newest round-up.
Introducing, the first-ever Forbes Top Creators List for 2022.
The list spotlights the highest-earning, most influential social media content creators for the year.
After evaluating each creator across three categories – earnings, clout, and entrepreneurship – the publication has named 49 famous faces (and one dog) who made the cut.
The 50 creators have amassed a combined 1.9 billion followers across Instagram, TikTok and YouTube. They also made a total of US$570 million in 2021, with the average age being 31.
So, did your fave follow make the cut? Below are the creators who claimed the top five spots, followed by some honourable mentions.
Forbes Top Creator #1
Jimmy Donaldson – @mrbeast
Image credit: @mrbeast
Jimmy Donaldson, AKA Mr Beast, has earned the top spot on this list, making more money than any other creator – we're talking US$54 million a year. With a total social media following of 162 million, the predictably high viewership of his antics explains why Jimmy has made most of his money from ads on his YouTube videos.
Forbes Top Creator #2
Charli D'Amelio – @charlidamelio
Image credit: @charlidamelio
In 2021, 18-year-old Charli D'Amelio was the highest earning TikToker, and up until June of this year, was the most followed TikToker in the world (Khaby Lame now has that title). Charli made US$17.5 million from her casual clothing brand, Social Tourist, Hulu show, the D’Amelio Show, and deals with brands like Invisalign, Morphe and Dunkin'.
Forbes Top Creator #3
Alexandra Cooper – @alexandracooper
Image credit: @alexandracooper
Talking about sex – her own, as well as that of friends and celebrities – has made former college soccer player, Alexandra Cooper into a multimillionaire. Alexandra started her fornication-focused podcast, “Call Her Daddy,” which has turned raunch to riches, and is currently the number one female-focused podcast on Spotify, globally.
Forbes Top Creator #4
Elliot Tebele – @fuckjerry
Image credit: @jewhead
Original mass-market meme maker, Elliot Tebele has managed to diversify into games, tequila and television. The company’s card game, What Do You Meme, has become somewhat of a family recreation staple, and is currently Amazon’s 17th most popular board game.
Forbes Top Creator #5
Emma Chamberlain – @emmachamberlain
Image credit: @emmachamberlain
An early adopter of YouTube vlogging, we’ve practically watched Emma Chamberlain grow up. Known for documenting her caffeinated experiments, travel vlogs, and vintage clothing hauls, the 21-year-old has amassed a dedicated following of over 27 million since starting her YouTube channel back in 2016.
But we couldn't wrap it up without mentioning some of our other favourite beauty and style creators who made the top 50...
Forbes Top Creator #6
Huda Kattan – @huda
Image credit: @huda
Huda Beauty may have started with just false lashes, but the brand has now expanded across all beauty categories and has a global stockist deal with Sephora. The brand has helped Huda reach a net worth of US$400 million, making her one of the richest self-made women in the world.
Forbes Top Creator #9
Addison Rae – @addisonraee
Image credit: @addisonraee
Growing up in a trailer in Louisiana, Addison Rae never expected to obtain 88 million TikTok followers and make over US$27 million, which she has now achieved, putting her ninth on the list. She has partnerships with Pandora, Vital Proteins, American Eagle and a multi-million-dollar Netflix deal. She’s also the founder of cosmetics line, Item Beauty, which retails direct-to-consumer and via Sephora.
Forbes Top Creator #14
Patrick Starrr – @patrickstarrr
Image credit: @patrickstarrr
Patrick Starrr started uploading YouTube makeup tutorials in 2013, and his platform took off. Now, the beauty guru has garnered 372 million views and has been featured in L’Oréal and M.A.C. campaigns. Plus, Patrick's own makeup brand, ONE/SIZE, has gained 235,000 Instagram followers of its own.
Forbes Top Creator #21
Dixie D'Amelio – @dixiedamelio
Image credit: @dixiedamelio
Her younger sister may have nabbed second spot on the list, but Dixie D'Amelio has amassed 57 million followers of her own, earning US$10 million in 2021. She’s leveraged her TikTok fame to launch a pop music career, reality show on Hulu, and now, along with her famous family, is switching from influencer to owner – their D’Amelio Brands will create footwear and beauty lines to sell to their combined 200 million TikTok fans.
Forbes Top Creator #25
Aimee Song – @aimeesong
Image credit: @aimeesong
Aimee Song is one of the true OGs, proving that blogging could be a full-time job. She has now partnered with companies such as Valentino, Prada, Amazon Fashion and clean beauty brand, Biossance, which registered more than seven-figures in sales when it launched, according to a rep.
Forbes Top Creator #26
Desi Perkins – @desiperkins
Image credit: @desiperkins
From vlogging in the early days of YouTube to developing two namesake brands, beauty influencer, Desi Perkins shares everything from pregnancy and home decor to fashion and makeup with her audiences of 4.4 million Instagram followers and 3.2 million YouTube subscribers. Desi has also founded eyewear compan, Dezi and skin care brand, Dezi Skin, which launched in April 2021.
Main image credit: Forbes
