Top 10 Stars On the Rise
NBA Star Carmelo Anthony and new Victoria's Secret angel make the list.
June 4, 2011 — -- Three months ago, Carmelo Anthony was traded from the Denver Nuggets to the New York Knicks. Though his new team was swept by the Boston Celtics in the first round of the NBA playoffs, Anthony is already earning dividends from his move to the Big Apple: a new three-year, $65 million contract, a VH1 reality series, an endorsement deal with Boost Mobile--and there's likely more on the way. "He has the potential to double his endorsement income in the short term," says Marc Ganis, president of Chicago-based consultancy SportsCorp. "He'll substantially increase what he made in Denver. If he ever brings the Knicks a championship, his numbers will go very high."
In Pictures: 10 Stars We're Watching
Anthony is one of the stars who narrowly missed ranking on our Celeb 100 list, and one of 10 whose profile--and earnings potential--is very much on the rise. These up-and-comers are all fairly well-known, but their incomes haven't quite caught up to their fame, at least not yet. Hailing from a range of industries and backgrounds, they're the stars we think have the best chances of joining next year's list.
The only other athlete on our list of 10 is tennis player Caroline Wozniacki. Though the photogenic Dane has yet to win a Grand Slam, companies are flocking to sign her to deals: She counts Adidas, Yonex, Sony and Turkish Airlines among her sponsors. That first Grand Slam might be coming soon, as many of the top stars in women's tennis have been slowed by injuries while others have retired. At 20, Wozniacki is the youngest person ranked in the game's top 10.
Another rising star: Ryan Murphy, creator of cult hits Popular and Nip/Tuck. Murphy has hit the mainstream with Glee, the kind of network sensation that comes along once a decade. Not only does the show get stellar ratings, but it has spawned more Top 100 hits than the Beatles. Murphy gets a piece of everything to do with the show, from downloads to touring to merchandise. He's also a successful film director: His 2010 adaptation of Eat, Pray, Love earned $205 million.
The rest of our list includes up-and-comers from all corners of the entertainment industry. There's television host Stephen Colbert, who stands to gain from an upcoming contract negotiation; model Candice Swanepoel, a 22-year-old who has caught the industry's eyes as one of Victoria's Secret's newest Angels; and hip-hop artist Drake, an advertiser's favorite who's already landed deals with Sprite and Kodak. Navigating the ever-changing terrain of the entertainment world is no easy task, especially for newcomers.
Lyor Cohen, vice chairman of Warner Music Group, has seen plenty of stars rise and fall over his decades in the music business. His advice: Enjoy the journey. "Don't miss a moment; take full advantage of your success to help people and be a rounder individual, focus on being as creative as possible," he says. "Don't believe you own hype. Breathe and smile. And enjoy the come-up--it's the most enjoyable time."
In Pictures: 10 Stars We're Watching
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