+the news
Carrie Underwood continues reign as highest-earning American Idol star
Written by . Published: January 09 2015
Pregnant Carrie Underwood has retained her title as American Idol's top-earning star for the second consecutive year.
The Before He Cheats hitmaker topped the Forbes magazine poll in 2013 with $31 million in earnings, and she has repeated the feat again for 2014, although her takings have dropped to $10 million .
She beats new mom Kelly Clarkson, who places second with $8 million
, despite spending much of 2014 away from the spotlight.
Idol's 2011 champion Phillip Phillips, who raked in $5 million last
year (14), is third, while country singer Scotty McCreery and
Taylor Hicks tie at number four on the annual earnings
countdown.