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With $52 million in earnings over the last 12 months and a huge amount of fame, Jennifer Lopez is No. 1 on Forbes’ Celebrity 100 list for the first time.

A few years ago it looked like Lopez was done, too. Her albums failed to find the broad audience she once enjoyed, and several of her movies were flops.

Then in 2010 the singer landed a judge’s chair on American Idol. The job gave her a platform to promote her music and turn her image around. She did.

She also split with husband, Marc Anthony, a move that, while said, gave J. Lo even more media attention and subsequent big-money endorsement deals.

Ben Affleck, Jennifer Lopez in 2021
(Getty Images)

With contracts for L’Oreal and Gillette, a line of clothing at Kohl’s, a fragrance, and a whopping $20 million Idol salary, she’s got it made here in 2012.

Her 6.6 million followers on Twitter and 12 million fans on Facebook are a testament to her social popularity, as well, cementing her #1 Forbes ranking.

Lopez unseats Lady Gaga, who topped the list last year.

The pop star slides to fifth place this year with $52 million in earnings, down from $90 million last year (the Gaga didn’t tour much in the last 12 months).

In second place is Oprah Winfrey, whom Gaga unseated for No. 1 last year. Winfrey had a rough 12 months, too. Oprah’s down years are #2 overall.

Ranking third on our list is Justin Bieber, with $55 million in the past year thanks to touring and record sales. Rihanna came in at #4 in the rankings.

[Photo: WENN.com]