Jay Chou is 2009 top-earner with S$27 million in earnings

The ranking for 2009's top 10 highest-earning artistes is finally out. This list, compiled based on each artistes' commercial viability, is put together with the help of representatives from various recording companies. After setting a record of raking in TW$7 billion last year, Taiwanese multi-hyphenate performer Jay Chou retains his top spot despite his slightly-dipped earnings of TW$5.5 billion (S$27 million) this year.

Right behind him are Taiwanese singer-songwriter, Lo Ta-yo, Chang Chen-yue, Jonathan Lee, and Zhou Hua Jian. They each earned S$23 million from their 58 sets of concert performances.

The second runner-up position belongs to Taiwanese girl group, S.H.E. Apart from filming 20 different commercials, the girls also released a self-penned book this year and raked in a total of S$18 million.

Taiwanese pop princess Jolin Tsai came in close behind the trio with a total earning of S$16 million. Apart from 24 corporate performances, and 11 commercial ads, the 29-year-old artiste went on a three-month long break in September after promoting her latest music album and has a slew of commercial offers waiting for her when she resumes work in January 2010.

Jolin's good friend, Show Luo, is next with his S$11 million earnings this year. Taiwanese rock band is ranked at sixth placing with their combined takings of S$10.3 million followed by Angela Chang at S$10 million, Wang Lee Hom at S$9.82 million, Zhang Hui Mei (A Mei) at S$7.44 million, and Fahrenheit at S$7.1 million.