Lady Gaga beats Oprah to become world’s most powerful celebrity
Lady Gaga has knocked Oprah Winfrey off the top spot on Forbes’ annual list of the 100 most powerful celebrities.
The singer and gay rights campaigner won the top spot for her social media power.
Forbes editor Dorothy Pomerantz told Reuters: “She can use Twitter and Facebook to work the ‘little monsters’ into a frenzy that leads to record sales and media attention.
“She’s the best example of how celebrities will need to manage their careers in the coming years.”
Gaga has 32 million Facebook fans and was the first celebrity to reach ten million followers on Twitter.
The star frequently uses social networking to spread awareness of gay rights, such as her support for ending the US military ban on openly gay solders.
Winfrey, whose show is to end soon after 25 years, came in at number two on the list. Justin Bieber is at three and is also the youngest person on the list. U2 are in fourth position and Sir Elton John was ranked fifth.
