The Most Ridiculous Celebrity Paychecks Ever

When Perry landed a judging role on the American Idol reboot in 2017, she reportedly banked a cool $25 million to appear on the singing competition show. 

"I'm really proud that, as a woman, I got paid. And you know why? I got paid like more than like pretty much any guy that's been on that show," the "Roar" singer told 103.5 KTU (via E! News). "And, by the way, I love men. So I'm a paid woman and I'm ready for a beautiful man." 

Perry said she'd been in negotiations with the show for several years, but the timing was never quite right until now. The program will return on ABC in 2018. "We hit the jackpot with Katy," said ABC Entertainment President Channing Dungey (via Entertainment Weekly). "She is a songwriter, and to have someone like her on the panel is fantastic. This is a business. We need to make sure we make the right decision so the show can be financially viable, so it will have a place on ABC for years to come."

Don't forget about Dr. Dre. The rapper and music executive Jimmy Iovine sold their headphone company Beats Electronic to Apple for a cool $3 billion in 2014, reported Forbes. The deal reportedly included $2.6 billion in cash up front and another $400 million in stock. Both Dr. Dre and Iovine assumed roles in the Apple company.

In the months and weeks that followed, Dr. Dre labeled himself "the first billionaire in hip-hop," reported the Los Angeles Times. "I've been living the American Dream for over 25 years—just being able to do what I do, be creative and make money out of it, it's incredible," he told The Guardian. Reflecting on his rags to riches biography, Dr. Dre said, "I could never have imagined where I am now."

There is no stopping this human money machine. Floyd Mayweather Jr. is a boxer best known for his ostentatious display of wealth. Mayweather walked away from his August 2017 bout against mixed martial arts fighter Conor McGregor with at least $100 million (final tallies could reach up to $200 million) reported ESPN. For his previous high-profile fight with Manny Pacquiao in 2015, Mayweather was paid a stunning $250 million.

It's no secret that Mayweather likes to flaunt his money. "Cash is king," he told Jimmy Kimmel in 2017. "I'm the human ATM." By the way, sometimes the boxer needs more cash than an ATM can handle. "When you order millions of dollars a Brinks truck comes to your home," he said, humbly, of course.

Rapper 50 Cent (real name Curtis Jackson III) is one smart businessman. In 2004 he turned his genuine love for Vitaminwater into a lucrative business deal that put him on the map. According to The Washington Post, 50 Cent was a health nut who did not drink alcohol and considered Vitaminwater a great way to hydrate after his intense workouts. With the help of his business partner, 50 Cent became the face of the product in exchange for a reputed 10 percent stake in the company. 

Fast forward to 2007: Coca-Cola purchased Vitaminwater's parent company, Glaceau, and that sale pushed 50 Cent's income to the stars. The "In Da Club" star reportedly pocketed between $60 and $100 million in the sale, which pushed his net worth toward a half billion dollars, reported The Washington Post. 

"I took quarter-water, sold it in bottles for two bucks. Coca-Cola came and bought it for billions. What the f**k?" he rapped in "I Get Money."

Unfortunately, some eight years later, 50 Cent was struggling to find two quarters to rub together. In 2015, the rapper filed for bankruptcy. According to The Guardian, he claimed to have $36 million in debt with less than $20 million in assets, but by February 2017, he'd reportedly paid off his debts (ahead of schedule) using more than $8 million of his own money and more than $13 million received from a legal malpractice suit. At the time of this writing, his net worth was a hovering around $20 million.

Seriously, what the...?

George Clooney has it all; devilishly good looks, an incredibly talented and intelligent wife, two beautiful kids, an enviable acting career...oh, and a little tequila biz on the side worth $1 billion.

According to CNN, Clooney sold his tequila brand Casamigos to Diageo for $1 billion in 2017. "If you asked us four years ago if we had a billion dollar company, I don't think we would have said yes," Clooney said. The actor and two partners launched the liquor company in 2013. "We're not going anywhere. We'll still be very much a part of Casamigos. Starting with a shot tonight. Maybe two," Clooney said after the sale. The new owners claimed Clooney will remain involved to share his "leadership and vision." 

Could he spread a lil' of that leadership and vision over here as well?