Top 10 Highest Earning Reality TV Stars of 2010

Top 10 Highest Earning Reality TV Stars of 2010

Reality TV star, designer, model, producer and socialite Kim Kardashian has topped the list of highest earning reality stars 2010

 And the highest-paid reality star of 2010 is... Kim Kardashian!

1, Kim Kardashian

Estimated 2010 earnings: $6 million

It's hard to avoid a Kim Kardashian sighting, and that's great for her. She pulled in an estimated $6 million this year for shilling everything from cupcake mix to Skechers Shape-ups to Kotex. But much of the Kardashian commerce is a family business; with her sisters she co-owns a line of retail stores, a skincare line, and the K Dash for QVC line, as well as promotions for Quick Trim weight-loss supplements and her licensed line of Beach Bunny Swimwear. She can earn as much as $75,000 in appearance fees and has also snagged a few hundred thousand pretty pennies for her and her sisters' recently released book Kardashian Konfidential, which sold 13,000 copies during its first week on sale, according to Nielsen BookScan. The show that launched half a dozen careers, Keeping Up With the Kardashians, finished its fifth season this year.

2, Lauren Conrad

 Estimated 2010 earnings: $5 million

"LC" first engrossed a legion of teenagers in 2004 as one of the high-school crew cast in Laguna Beach. She left the beach for L.A. and the cameras followed. Though The Hills capped its last season without her, a show devoted solely to her and her fashion career pursuits is in the works. Her trilogy of young adult books, the most recent of which, Sugar and Spice, was released in October, have sold more than 1 million copies in hardback alone, according to Nielsen BookScan, and her style guide Lauren Conrad Style has sold more than 40,000 copies since its October release. But her biggest business coup is her line for Kohl's, which sold faster than the retailer expected, prompting the national chain to rush the line into all stores a season before planned.

3, Bethenny Frankel

 Estimated 2010 earnings: $4 million

Frankel parlayed her heated tenure as a New York City "Real Housewife" into her own reality show Bethenny Getting Married, which drew more than twice the viewers of Housewives and will morph into Bethenny Ever After next year. Her top money-making pursuit is selling skinny, though. Her first book, Naturally Thin, sold 180,000 copies in 2009 and the proceeding recipe book The SkinnyGirl Dish sold more than 50,000 copies. Up next? A Place of Yes, an advice book due out next March. Her company's Skinnygirl margarita mix is expanding into a lemonade-iced tea bottled concoction. But she doesn't just tout healthy (she endorses Pepperidge Farm, as well), she has made it part of her on-screen act as a contestant on Skating With the Stars, which premiered in November.

4, Audrina Patridge

 Estimated 2010 earnings: $3.5 million

The 25-year-old got her big break by playing the brunette sidekick to Lauren Conrad and Heidi Montag on MTV's The Hills in 2006. While LC left and Montag morphed into a Barbie doppelganger, Patridge built her own following. She inked a deal with reality-television super-producer Mark Burnett that will air next year on VH1 and is the host of the Internet network Yobi.tv. Her face has endorsed Carl's Jr., an honor she shares with Kim Kardashian and Paris Hilton, and is shilling for Bongo jeans.

5, Kate Gosselin

 Estimated 2010 earnings: $3.5 million

The well-coiffed matriarch has rebounded just fine from her split with lecherous husband Jon Gosselin. Now, the TLC reality show formerly known as Jon & Kate Plus 8 is just Kate Plus 8, and chronicles the mom, Kate, as she raises her clan of eight small children. In addition to her reported $250,000 per episode fee from her own reality show, Gosselin also appeared on ABC's Dancing With the Stars. In addition to her television fees and the occasional speaking engagement, Gosselin also rakes in a hefty sum from her book deals. So far, she's penned four books, including Multiple Blessings, which sold 523,000 copies in 2009, Eight Little Faces, and her latest, I Just Want You to Know: Letters to My Kids on Love, Faith, and Family, which sold just over 10,000 copies in its first two weeks of release back in April. Her upcoming tome, Love Is in the Mix, will hit shelves January 2011

6, Mike "The Situation" Sorrentino

 Estimated 2010 earnings: $3 million

Mike "The Situation" Sorrentino's financial situation is quite the situation. The de facto head of household in the MTV reality show phenomenon Jersey Shore is not only the show's highest paid star, but also the most active entrepreneur away from the cameras. He charges exorbitant appearance fees rumored to be between $15,000-$50,000, released a book on Nov. 2 titled, Here's the Situation: A Guide to Creeping on Chicks, Avoiding Grenades, and Getting in Your GTL on the Jersey Shore, and was given a rumored six-figure advance for his autobiography. In addition, the abtastic star is working on a cologne, has released fitness DVDs, endorses nutritional supplements, and is a part-owner in a protein-infused vodka brand called Devotion. He's also appeared in ads for Vitamin Water and Reebok, released an embarrassing rap song, and his GTL iPhone app was a bestseller. While rumors of a $5 million annual payday were reported earlier this year, most of his earnings will actually accrue in the coming years as royalties from his licensed and ownership shares kick in.

7, Khloe Kardashian

 Estimated 2010 earnings: $2.5 million

The youngest member of the Kardashian clan, who married Los Angeles Lakers basketball star Lamar Odom last year, still manages to rake it in. Not only does Khloé costar in the E! reality series smash Keeping Up With the Kardashians, but she also shares top billing with big sister Kourtney in the E! spinoff, Khloé and Kourtney Take Miami. Outside of television, little sis co-owns—along with her older sisters—the popular high-end clothing boutique Dash, which has stores in Miami, California, and recently, New York, Kardashian Khaos in Vegas, and PerfectSkin, a skincare company. She also has several endorsement deals, including the Kardashians for Bebe clothing line, Quick Trim diet products, and Beach Bunny Swimwear. And last but not least, aside from her appearance fees, radio talk show, magazine exclusives, and hefty book advance for Kardashian Konfidential, Khloé also rakes in several thousand dollars per sponsored tweet.

8, Kourtney Kardashian

 Estimated 2010 earnings: $2.5 million

The eldest member of the Kardashian triumvirate is best known for her relationship with perennial brat boy Scott Disick. Along with little sister Khloe, she made a star turn this summer with Khloé and Kourtney Take Miami, a move she'll repeat in another corner of the country next year with Kourtney and Kim Take New York. Of course, she shares a long list of endorsements with her sisters, but thanks to her new baby boy Mason, who turns 1 this month, baby clothes and parenting endorsements can't be too far behind. She already has a head start: She operated Smooch, a baby boutique, for six years before closing it last year.

9, DJ Pauly D

 Estimated 2010 earnings: $2 million

The other Jersey Shore stars might get paid to party in their time off, but Pauly D has been getting paid to spin parties since before the show. Now that his name is recognized from the fist-pumping clubs of Jersey to L.A., he commands a higher price, charging as much as $40,000 per gig. In his words, he "was DJing 6 nights a week before the show and I'm DJing 6 nights a week after the show. It's awesome." Of course, his bottom line was also bolstered by Baskin Robbins, whose Facebook ad featured Pauly D asking fans to make a "hot mix.

10, Kendra Wilkinson

Estimated 2010 earnings: $2 million

Kendra managed to do the unthinkable: transition from Middle America dental assistant to Playboy mansion girl next door to wholesome-ish wife (to NFL star Hank Baskett) and mother with her own reality series in less than two years. The debut Kendra episode attracted 2.6 million viewers, the highest debut on EI since The Anna Nicole Show eight years ago. Her autobiography Sliding Into Home has sold 79,000 copies since it was released in July. Of course, not all of her releases this year are as family friendly. Her sex tape (from before she was famous) was marketed for consumers and she was reportedly paid $680,000 and a cut of the profits. Kendra Exposed is in line to be one of the top-selling adult DVDs of the year. Her picture (albeit an old one) also graces the cover of this month's Playboy.

1. Kim Kardashian:                            $6 million

2. Lauren Conrad:                              $5 million
3. Bethenny Frankel:                          $4 million
4. Audrina Patridge:                           $3.5 million
5. Kate Gosselin:                               $3.5 million
6. Mike "The Situation" Sorrentino:    $3 million
7. Khloe Kardashian:                        $2.5 million
8. Kourtney Kardashian:                   $2.5 million
9. DJ Pauly D:                                  $2 million
10. Kendra Wilkinson:                      $2 million

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What Your Favorite Christmas Special Says About You

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Not unlike the alignment of the stars on the day you were born and where you went to kindergarten, your favorite Christmas cartoon special can say a lot about you. Santa or Grinch, Cindy Lou Who or Lucy--who you like defines your personality in some ways. Forget about Carl Jung and his personality test. What you'll learn from us is far more valuable. Happy holidays!

How the Grinch Stole Christmas (1966)

Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer (1964)

Frosty the Snowman (1969)

Santa Claus Is Coming to Town (1970)

The Year Without a Santa Claus (1974)

A Charlie Brown Christmas (1965)

The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)

Shrek the Halls (2007)

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Mysterious Celebrity Deaths

We're fascinated by the lives of celebrities, but when they pass on tragically, we can also be drawn to the way they died. In some cases, stars can become even more famous than ever for the mysterious circumstances under which they died. As a hat tip to this week's

premiere of the new History Channel series "Decoded," which has investigators looking into the untold histories of institutions such as the White House, the Statue of Liberty and more, we thought we'd take a look at stars whose untimely ends fascinate mystery buffs and conspiracy nuts alike.

Princess Diana

Princess Diana died tragically in a car accident with friend, multimillionaire Dodi Fayed, and a bodyguard on Aug, 31, 1997. While it is officially believed that aggressive paparazzi and an intoxicated driver were to blame for the fatal accident, multiple conspiracy theories began to pop up. The most widely disseminated theory is that the British Secret Service, the MI6, orchestrated the accident as a cover-up to the assassination of Diana.

Kurt Cobain

For any '90s child, Kurt Cobain's 1994 suicide was a defining moment, but for the conspiracy-minded, it was an all-around suspicious event. Some Nirvana fans claim that Cobain was in fact murdered, and they point to evidence such as the fact that Cobain had too much

heroin in his system to manipulate the shotgun that killed him and an alleged lack of gunpowder on his hands.

Marilyn Monroe

Officially, the cause of Monroe's 1962 death was ruled to be suicide by an overdose of pills. However, her alleged entanglements with John Kennedy prompted her fans to suspect that poor Norma Jean had been murdered. Regardless, Monroe is probably more famous today than

she was while she was alive.

Elvis Presley

Though only the nuttiest of conspiracy buffs claim that Elvis was bumped off, plenty of die-hard fans still believe that Presley didn't die at all. According to them, Presley longed to escape the spotlight and did just that, using his considerable means to fake his death and live out his

life privately -- just him, his records and a stack of peanut butter-and-banana sandwiches.

Natalie Wood

One of the strangest Hollywood deaths was that of Natalie Wood, who died at 43 years old on November 29, 1981. Along with her husband, Robert Wagner, and his costar, Christopher Walken, Wood sailed from Los Angeles to Catalina Island. Upon docking, however,

Wood fell out of the boat and drowned. It's not clear why Wood wasn't pulled back aboard or whether the cries for help heard by a witness actually came from Wood.

Bruce and Brandon Lee

After achieving fame in the U.S. on the original "Green Hornet" series, Bruce Lee seemed ready to become as big of a star worldwide as he had been in his native Hong Kong. However, in 1973 the seemingly invincible fighter lost consciousness after taking a painkiller and never

woke up -- his end being ascribed to "death by misadventure." Twenty years later, son Brandon Lee was poised to fulfill the family destiny of stardom when a prop malfunction caused him to be fatally shot on the set of "The Crow." Rumors of a curse on the Lee family have persisted ever since.

John Belushi

Founding "Saturday Night Live" cast member John Belushi was found dead in Bungalow No. 3 of the Chateau Marmont in Hollywood on March 5, 1982. Though the official cause of death was discovered to be a lethal combination of cocaine and heroin, the bizarre

incidents of the night begged the question of who was to blame. Both Robert DeNiro and Robin Williams had visited Belushi that night, as had groupie Cathy Smith. Smith later admitted to giving Belushi the fatal speedball shot and spent 15 months in prison on manslaughter charges.

Anna Nicole Smith

Less than a year after Smith's son Daniel died of a lethal combination of medications in his system, Smith died from what investigators determined to be the same cause. A lengthy investigation followed (both into Smith's death and the paternity of her baby daughter,

Dannielynn), and ultimately her lawyer and domestic partner, Howard K. Stern, was convicted of conspiracy -- allegedly enabling Smith's drug dependency as a means of controlling her fortune -- but no one has ever been charged with causing her death.

 

Jayne Mansfield

No one disputes that the voluptuous movie star was killed by a 1967 car accident, along with her boyfriend, Sam Brody (pictured). But a rather gory urban legend has persisted about her death: that she was decapitated. She wasn't, according to the police report, though a

well-circulated photo of the accident scene seemed to indicate otherwise. (A wig depicted near the car apparently misled some viewers.) Even more weirdly, a separate urban legend claims that the accident happened as a result of a curse placed on her by the Church of Satan.

Incidentally, Mansfield's children -- including a young Mariska Hargitay -- were in the back seat at the time at the time of the accident. The children were not seriously harmed

Phil Hartman

The manner of how the "SNL" star died is fairly cut-and-dry: He was fatally shot by his wife, Brynn. What lingers about the tragedy are the accusations of blame. In 1999, Brynn Hartman's brother filed suit against the makers of Zoloft and the doctor who gave Brynn samples

of the drug, on grounds that it helped bring about the murder-suicide. And actor Jon Lovitz has accused Hartman's "NewsRadio" costar Andy Dick of being responsible for having reintroduced Brynn to cocaine. Lovitz and Dick have feuded ever since.

Sid Vicious and Nancy Spungen

When Spungen, girlfriend of Sex Pistols bassist Sid Vicious, was found stabbed to death in October 1978, Vicious confessed to killing her even though he had no memory of the night. Some claimed that Spungen could have been murdered by a third party as a result of a drug

deal gone bad while Vicious was unconscious. The rocker was arrested but was released on bail. In February 1979, before a trial could determine who killed Spungen, Vicious fatally overdosed, preserving the mystery forever

Jon-Erik Hexum

The hunky '80s star and boyfriend of singer E.G. Daily seemed poise to make a major breakthrough with the NBC series "Cover Up," but accidentally took his own life on set. During a lull in filming, Hexum allegedly began playing with a prop gun that had been loaded with

blanks. He jokingly put the barrel to his head and then fired. Hexum apparently didn't realize that prop bullets package gun powder in hard substances, and the injuries he sustained from the blanks ultimately left him brain-dead. CBS kept the show on the air for the remainder of the season.

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Top 10 Ranked Beautiful Women in the World (2010-2011)

Here are the Top Ten Hottest Women in the World for the Year.

1. MONICA BELLUCI

2. AISHWARYA RAI

3. KIM KARDASHIAN

4. NATALIE PORTMAN

5. CATHERINE ZETA-JONES

6. KEELEY HAZELL

7. ANGELINA JOLIE

8. MEGAN FOX

9. KATRINA KAIF

10. KATE WINSLET

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What Celebrities Says in November

This prolific entertainer is on a lot of people's minds these days, but not just for his holiday cheer or his critically acclaimed new album. Find out about his never-ending beefs with a politician and a pop star, and learn what other water-cooler topics had the rest of our tastemakers' tongues wagging this month.

Madonna

Madonna took time out from her latest business ventures teen fashion and fitness to appear on "The Ellen DeGeneres Show.
She spoke out against a recent rash of anti-gay bullying.
"The concept that we are torturing teenagers because they're gay … It's unfathomable. It's like lynching black people or, you know, Hitler exterminating Jews. … Sorry if I sound like I'm going on a rampage right now, but this is America. The land of the free and the home of the brave ..."

Bill Clinton

Former President Clinton has been getting an earful from his daughter, Chelsea, who's trying to broaden his musical horizons.
"You know, my daughter introduced me to rap and hip-hop music after I said some things she thought were not very smart. She said, 'Dad, you need to listen, all these people are smart.'"

Kanye West

Apparently, the rapper-producer still has a lot to say about his widely publicized awards show run-in with pop star Taylor Swift.
"Taylor never came to my defense at any interview … And (she) rode the waves and rode it and rode it."

Barbara Bush

The former first lady has never seemed very outspoken. If anything, she might be pegged as bookish. But in an interview with Larry King, she shared her rather blunt thoughts on Sarah Palin.
"I sat next to her once. I thought she was beautiful. And she's very happy in Alaska. I hope she'll stay there."

Eva Longoria Parker

The petite prime-time actress announced that she and her NBA player husband are going their separate ways.
"It is with great sadness that after seven years together, Tony and I have decided to divorce. We love each other deeply and pray for each other's happiness."

Janet Jackson

When interviewed for a newsstand staple, the pop icon revisited haunting memories from her early TV acting career.
Reportedly, her maturing wasn't in the script.
"It immediately makes you think, 'The way I am isn't good enough.' That's the message that it sent to me: 'The way you look now isn't right ...' It would make me sad. It wouldn't make me mad. It would hurt."

George W. Bush

Rapper Kanye West lobbed a remark at former President Bush in 2005 that reportedly still sticks him.
"I faced a lot of criticism as president … But the suggestion that I was racist because of the response to Katrina represented an all-time low."

Anne Hathaway

In an interview about her latest film, Hathaway turned diva-esque in an attempt to help her co-star, who was facing tricky questions about his possible new romance.
"I've been Jake's onscreen love interest for years ... You keep the conversation to me and only me, otherwise I'm going to get nasty!"

Warren Buffett

Billionaire CEO Buffett announced to the news media that he isn't afraid to dig deeper into his own coffers at tax time and thinks others who are wealthy should do the same.
"The rich are always going to say that, you know, just give us more money and we'll go out and spend more and then it will all trickle down to the rest of you. But that has not worked the last 10 years, and I hope the American public is catching on."

Willow Smith

Riding the wave of her hit single, this daughter of a box office titan and a stylish star seems to be enjoying her new status. Though she's got a recording contract at the ripe old age of 10, she does have boundaries, she told this magazine.
"I can't do whatever I want … Mommy has to say it's OK."

George Clooney

When another actor was given the title of People's "Sexiest Man Alive," the magazine turned to one of the two-time title-holders for his reaction. He was a good sport.
"I'm very happy for him," he said. "I'm also happy that it's not Brad."

Hillary Clinton

Travelers across the country have been up in arms about new TSA protocols. The secretary of state admitted she would avoid them if she could, but she tried to remain diplomatic when discussing them on-air.
"Striking the right balance is what this is about. And I am absolutely confident that our security experts are gonna keep trying to get it better and less intrusive and more precise."

Sylvester Stallone

Apparently back in fighting form after an accident sustained while shooting his latest film, the tough guy actor tweeted some jabs at President Barack Obama on Election Day.
"I voted did you? Gotta get the Manchurian Candidate out of the drivers seat before were ALL soaring off a cliff into Oblivion ... Be smart."

Will Ferrell

For the second year in a row, funnyman Ferrell has topped this magazine's list of the Most Overpaid. His response to the news?
"Isn't that the whole point? Aren't we all striving to be overpaid?"
His place on the list was surely secured by his hit animated release and clearly not hampered by this setback.

Tim Lincecum

"A lot of orange and black … And hopefully, a lot of alcohol."
That was how the San Francisco Giants pitcher predicted fans would celebrate his team's big achievement, a historic one at that. But their reaction ended up being quite a bit different than he expected.

Courtney Love

It would seem the former rock frontwoman is seeking addiction advice from elsewhere in the rock world.
"I am the smoker and the curser, but I am trying to learn about taking care of myself … I have friends that are growing old and freaking out and I am, like, getting hotter."
Now, perhaps she'll seek legal and parenting advice, as well.

Nancy Pelosi

In an interview, the outgoing speaker of the House had some comments about her successor, particularly about his sensitive side.
"You know what? He is known to cry. He cries sometimes when we're having a debate on bills. If I cry, it's about the personal loss of a friend or something like that."

Cher

The veteran entertainer offered some words of wisdom to Christina Aguilera, her co-star in a recently released movie.
"You know, honey, husbands come and go, but I am still Cher at the end of the day."
The advice comes amid talk about Aguilera's marital woes and alleged dalliances.

Conan O'Brien

The lanky late-night comedian indicated that he hasn't quite buried the hatchet when he spoke to this magazine about one day having his frenemy as a guest.
"He can come as the musical guest, because that I want to see; no one knows he has an operatic range … No, there are certain things I will not do, regardless of the price."
Though O'Brien has settled into a new talk show home, he seems to still harbor feelings about a switcheroo at his old network.

The Situation

The attention-seeking reality TV star has more on his mind than his abdominals, according to a recent interview.
"Obviously it's a blessing -- the women and the money and the fame, but at the same time it's -- it's actually very lonely."

Roberto Baggio

When he accepted this esteemed award, the retired Italian soccer great addressed the Nobel Prize laureates gathered in Japan:
"I have lost three World Cups, all on penalties ... If you'll allow me this, it really gets on my nerves."
"Il Divin Codino" was honored for, among other efforts, his altruistic work in Haiti.

Lori Berenson

After spending years in a prison in Peru, the convicted U.S. activist ended her sentence this month, to the dismay of many in that country.
"I totally understand that people feel a strong rejection to someone who represents terrorism. The problem is, I may not be the person they paint me to be, and they'll never know that."

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