RAPPER and music producer Sean “Diddy” Combs was named the world’s highest-paid entertainer Monday, ousting pop singer Taylor Swift who fell to 49th place on the Forbes annual list.

Beyonce moved into the second spot with US$105 million, courtesy of her best-selling “Lemonade” album and world tour, while British author J.K. Rowling (US$95 million) moved back into the top three thanks largely to her “Harry Potter” spinoff movie franchise “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them.”

Jachie Chan is only Chinese celebrity that made into the list. The kungfu star earned US$49 million and came in 39th.

Combs, 47, earned an estimated US$130 million in the 12 months ended June 1, 2017, Forbes said. It attributed the big payout to his Bad Boy Family Reunion Tour, earnings from his Sean John clothing line, and his partnership with Ciroc vodka.

Last year, Combs came in 22nd on the list in a year when Swift bested all-comers with US$170 million after her best-selling “1989” album and world tour.

This year, the 27-year-old country singer-turned-pop star, with no new album or tour, saw her paycheck dip to US$44 million, Forbes estimated.

Newcomers in 2017 include model Kylie Jenner, the 19-year-old half-sister of reality TV star Kim Kardashian, who earned US$41 million, and U.S. radio and television personality Steve Harvey with US$42.5 million.

Forbes compiles the list estimating pre-tax earnings, before deducting fees for managers, based on data from Nielsen, touring trade publication Pollstar, movie database IMDB.com, and interviews with industry experts and celebrities themselves.

The list can be seen on www.forbes.com/celebrities. (SD-Agencies)