Image of Taylor Swift holding a microphone against a purple backdrop

Bob Levey/TAS23/Getty Images for TAS Rights Management (Taylor Swift); Debate photos courtesy of families

Do Celebrities Make Too Much?

August 28, 2023

Being a pop star really pays off! Taylor Swift is one of the highest-paid entertainers in the world. Last year, she made about $92 million through album sales and fans streaming her music online. And she’s getting richer every day. Thanks to her current Eras tour, Swift is expected to be a billionaire by the end of 2023.

Many people say that stars like Swift make too much money. They argue that people with more important jobs, like nurses or teachers, are paid far less. Even the president of the United States earns a lower salary than many celebrities. He makes $400,000 each year.

But others think stars earn their paychecks. They have tough work schedules. Some artists go on tour for months at a time, leaving behind their family and friends. And actors are sometimes on set for more than 15 hours a day.

Here’s what two of our readers think.

While actors and musicians bring fans joy, they’re overpaid compared with most people. Stars like Taylor Swift can bring in millions of dollars with just one show. Teachers rarely earn that much money in their entire careers! And they educate and inspire countless students every day.

Performing takes talent. But there’s too big a difference between the amount of money made by stars and the paychecks of people who save lives or lead communities. It doesn’t make sense.

YouTube stars, musicians, and movie stars entertain us, which helps us relax and have fun. Mr. Beast is my favorite YouTuber. Many of his challenges help people in need. Celebrities like him deserve to earn a lot of money.

The people who have enough talent and skill to become famous deserve their wealth. Plus, movie studios, record companies, and theaters make billions of dollars off celebrities’ work. The stars deserve their fair share.