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The Lady Gaga of hip-hop, Nicki Minaj is a huge talent alternately enhanced and obscured by her own absurd artistic vision. 2011 was a huge breakout year for Minaj, who might be the best thing going in hip-hop. But the emergence of “Super Bass” and "Starships" as global pop hits increased her stock dramatically in the pop world, catapulting the wigged wonder from Lil Wayne’s weird lil protégé to one of music’s bright spots in 2012.—Jeff Royer (Photo: Isaac Brekken, Getty Images)
The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.
Who's the Fierce...In the world of pop music, there can only be one queen. It’s one thing to determine who gets to wear the crown. It’s another issue entirely trying to figure out where everyone else falls. Halfway through 2012, see which pop princess reigns supreme, who's new to the list, who slipped this year, and who needs to go back to the diva drawing board. —Jeff Royer (Photos: Getty Images)
The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.
45. Lauryn HillIt seemed like we were so close to finally getting a follow-up to Hill’s first, best and only album, 1998’s “The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill.” She was finally emerging from that interminable hiatus with a patch of tour dates and festival appearances, including major gigs at Coachella and the New Orleans JazzFest. And then, with anticipation whipped to a fever pitch … Hill announced she’d be taking more time off for the birth of her sixth child. Now the hapless star is facing three years in prison for failing to file federal income tax returns between 2005 and 2007. Sentencing is in November.—Jeff Royer (Photo: Jason Miller, Getty Images)
The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.
44. Alexis Kraus...As one half of the world's noisiest pop duo, Sleigh Bells, singer Alexis Krauss has enjoyed a breakout year in 2012. The Brooklyn band's second album, "Reign of Terror," debuted in the Top 20 and landed the band major press and high-profile gigs including a performance on "Saturday Night Live."—Jeff Royer (Photo: Charley Gallay, Getty Images)
The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.
43. Jessica Simp...This one-time pop princess has all but given up on her music career following a catastrophic attempt as a country artist and a failed holiday album. Simpson is now focusing on fashion, cosmetics, and tweeting pictures of her daughter, who was born in May.—Jeff Royer (Photo: Chris Pizzello, AP Images)
The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.
42. Willow SmithThe 11-year-old daughter of Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith struck gold with the massive party anthem “Whip My Hair.” But the pint-sized mini-diva’s second single, “21st Century Girl,” fell flat, peaking at No. 99, and her Nicki Minaj-aided follow-up “Fireball” failed to chart at all. Perhaps not coincidentally, the release of her debut album, "Knees and Elbows," has been pushed back several times. However, with mentors like Jay-Z on her side, Smith has all the wisdom (and time) in the world to grow her career.—Jeff Royer (Photo: Frederick M. Brown, Getty Images)
The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.
41. Jessie JThe British pop tart is a huge deal overseas. In America, however, she and her handlers are having a hard time making anyone care. Even a radio hit (“Price Tag”), a super-massive publicity push and a high-profile appearance on “SNL” couldn’t turn Jessie J’s debut album, “Who You Are,” into a commercial success in the U.S. Don't count her out yet, though. Jessie's stock is rapidly rising now that she's a coach on "The Voice UK." Her second album, "Heaven," is tentatively slated for an October release.—Jeff Royer (Photo: Mark Thompson, Getty Images)
The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.
40. KimbraHer cameo on Gotye's universal smash "Somebody That I Used to Know" made Kimbra somebody to know in the pop world. The precocious Kiwi is now making waves of her own, wisely using the momentum created by her Gotye collaboration to push her 2011 album "Vows."—Jeff Royer (Photo: Sandra Mu, Getty Images)
The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.
39. Hayley Willi...The flame-haired frontwoman of Paramore has already survived the fracturing of her band and a mini-scandal thanks to a leaked photo she took of her own mini-Hayleys. She took a big step into diva-dom with her guest vocals on B.o.B’s No. 2 hit “Airplanes.” Now Williams and her remaining bandmates are preparing for a major comeback with the release of their fourth album, which has been a long time coming. Hopefully enough fans are left to hear it. —Jeff Royer (Photo: Armando Franca, AP Images)
The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.
38. Ellie Gouldi...British songbird Ellie Goulding went from relative unknown to globally recognized artist overnight thanks to the support of one rather famous fan – Kate Middleton, who selected her to perform at the reception of her royal wedding to Prince William. The following week she performed as the musical guest on “Saturday Night Live,” capping what must have been one of the most nerve-wracking weeks in singer-songwriter history. She hasn’t made as big of a splash in the U.S. as, say, Adele, but her airy dance music could secure her a place in the pop pantheon. Goulding's second album is tentatively slated for an October 2012 release.—Jeff Royer (Photo: Kevin Winter, Getty Images)
The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.
37. Jill ScottPhilly soul singer Scott scored the first No. 1 album of her career in 2011, bumping both Lady Gaga and Adele from the top of the charts with “The Light of the Sun.” The album followed a four-year musical drought for Scott during which she focused on raising her 2-year-old son, fighting a wicked legal battle with her former record label and weathering a divorce. The multi-talented Scott is also a New York Times best-selling poet and acclaimed actress.—Jeff Royer (Photo: John W. Ferguson, Getty Images)
The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.
36. Miley CyrusAfter her movie "LOL" left critics with anything but a smile on their faces, Cyrus perhaps not so coincidentally dropped her existing movie projects and announced a return to music. Only time will tell if her future is as bright as that 3.5-carat diamond engagement ring that now graces her finger.—Jeff Royer (Photo: Jason Merritt, Getty Images)
The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.
35. Kelly Rowlan...Beyonce’s Destiny’s Child bandmate stepped out in 2011 with her third solo album, “Here I Am,” which debuted at No. 3, the highest charting position of her solo career. The album quickly sputtered, however, leaving the likeable Rowland stuck in the all-too-familiar purgatory of her post-Beyonce life. Things are looking up, though, as Rowland prepares to return to her R&B roots for a fourth album, due later in 2012. A two-minute preview of the album's lead single, "Ice", was posted online on June 30.—Jeff Royer (Photo: Dave J Hogan, Getty Images)
The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.
34. Lana Del ReyLana Del Rey catapulted from online sensation to music world phenomenon thanks to a pair of much-talked-about performances on "Saturday Night Live" and "American Idol." Love her or (more likely) hate her, you've got to admire her ability to make people pay attention. Lana's third full-length is due in November.—Jeff Royer (Photo: Pascal Le Segretain, Getty Images)
The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.
33. Nicole Scher...Say what you will about the artistic merit of this former Pussycat Dolls leader, Sherzinger is a beauty with the will to claw her way to the top. So far, that has meant wading her way through the jungles of reality TV, first as a contestant (and eventual champion) of “Dancing with the Stars,” then as a judge on the a capella show “The Sing-Off” and, briefly, Simon Cowell's “The X Factor,” from which she was unceremoniously cut earlier this year. Ever the fighter, Scherzinger is now prepping her second solo album and is enjoying a new gig as host of "The X Factor UK."—Jeff Royer (Photo: Timur Emek, AP Images)
The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.
32. Kylie Minogu...Minogue is a diva survivor, and only seems to get stronger as each year passes. In 2010, her album “Aphrodite” hit No. 1 in the UK exactly 22 years after her debut, “Kylie,” hit No. 1 (on the strength of that ubiquitous 1980s hit “The Loco-Motion”). The tireless Kylie seems to spend most of her time churning out new dance hits and growing her global brand. She is currently in the midst of a year-long celebration called "K25" to mark her 25 years in the music industry.—Jeff Royer (Photo: Mark Metcalfe, Getty Images)
The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.
31. RobynAfter releasing the acclaimed “Body Talk” trilogy on her own Konichiwa label, the girl Spin calls “the premier purveyor of intelligent, emotional dance-pop” captured thousands of hearts in 2011 as the opener for Katy Perry's summer tour. She also served as musical guest on “Saturday Night Live” when Perry hosted the show in early December. The Swedish chanteuse aims to build on the momentum in 2012 with a tour alongside Coldplay and a rumored new album.—Jeff Royer (Photo: Chris Pizzello, AP Images)
The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.
30. Avril Lavign...Following her divorce from husband and Sum-41 frontman Deryck Whibley, Lavigne returned in 2011 with a new album and a smarter, savvier image more befitting of her 27 years. Her detached pop anthem “What the Hell” made some waves at radio, but her album was a flop for a pop princess of her stature. Undaunted, Lavigne has already completed a fifth album to be released in 2012. Don’t count this sk8er girl out.—Jeff Royer (Photo: Charles Sykes, AP Images)
The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.
29. Kimberly Per...This budding diva had a huge breakout year in 2011 as the guitarist and voice of rising country trio The Band Perry (along with her brothers). She got in the pop culture door with her aching crossover ballad “If I Die Young,” which drove the band’s debut album to platinum status, and stamped her presence with a series of dazzling showings on award-show red carpets. The button-cute blonde and her bandmates are prepping their second full-length for release later this year.—Jeff Royer (Photo: Christopher Polk, Getty Images)
The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.
28. FergieNow that the Black Eyed Peas are on hiatus, the good-looking 25 percent of the band has some time on her hands to worry about what she wants to do. On one hand, she’s teasing plans for another solo album, which, if it does half as well as 2006’s “The Dutchess,” should send her rocketing back up the diva charts. On the other hand, she’s talking about stepping away from her career entirely to start a family with husband Josh Duhamel, which would mean she’d need to simmer on the diva charts until she’s back in action. For now, she’ll hover here in the middle.—Jeff Royer (Photo: Jason Merritt, Getty Images)
The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.
27. Janet Jackso...In 2011, Jackson embarked on one of her largest world tours yet in support of her album “Number Ones,” which, as the title suggests, contains a staggering 33 of her chart-topping hits. When not repackaging her music for mass consumption, she has been busy with projects ranging from producing a Barbie doll modeled after herself to writing a self-help book (which topped the New York Times Best Seller list) to signing a film production contract with Lionsgate.—Jeff Royer (Photo: Andreas Rentz, Getty Images)
The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.
26. Carly Rae Je...After being anointed by the Powers That Bieber as the next big (Canadian) thing, pop newcomer Jepsen scored the official hit of summer 2012 with the now-ubiquitous "Call Me Maybe." A second single (a duet with Owl City called "Good Time") was released in late June.—Jeff Royer (Photo: Stuart Wilson, Getty Images)
The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.
25. Hillary Scot...As one-third of Lady Antebellum, Scott proved her staying power in late 2011/early 2012 by notching a second hit album, "Own the Night." She married the band's drummer, Chris Tyrrell, in January of this year.—Jeff Royer (Photo: Christopher Polk, Getty Images)
The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.
24. Ke$haEvery diva takes a break from the public eye from time to time, but with Ke$ha, it’s more like when a toddler goes silent in the next room – you just know she’s up to no good. In November, producer Dr. Luke revealed exactly what kind of trouble she was brewing; namely, a “c*** rock” album of ‘70s guitar rock. Originally slated for a May 2012 release, the album has been pushed back with no new release date on the horizon.—Jeff Royer (Photo: Frazer Harrison, Getty Images)
The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.
23. Florence Wel...Best known as the singer of Florence + The Machine, Welch was immediately embraced upon the release of her 2009 breakout album “Lungs” for her unorthodox beauty and ethereal voice. She soon found herself as the odd-diva-out on the Grammy and Oscar stages alongside new contemporaries like Christina Aguilera and Jennifer Hudson. Her second album, “Ceremonials” was released to great fanfare in October.—Jeff Royer (Photo: Charles Sykes, AP Images)
The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.
22. Jennifer Lop...I say with cautious optimism that things might finally be turning around for Jennifer Lopez. First she found success with her gig as “American Idol” host, and then, despite some brutal reviews, rediscovered chart success with her Pitbull-aided “On the Floor.” She also survived a painful public divorce from Marc Anthony and seems all the stronger for it. But there are still signs that perhaps Lopez’s diva ship has sailed. Her last album “Love?” sold a dismal 183,000 copies in nine weeks and her most recent movies, “The Back-Up Plan” and "What to Expect When You're Expecting," received terrible reviews. Still, she's survived much worse.—Jeff Royer (Photo: Ethan Miller, Getty Images)
The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.
21. Selena GomezGomez is inescapable in 2012, in large part because she’s dating an inescapable boy: Justin Bieber. The 19-year-old is also starring in no less than six films this year, the next of which is the highly publicized bikini-fest "Spring Breakers." However, in light of the fact that she publicly announced she was putting her music career on hold, she drops in our Diva Power Rankings for the time being.—Jeff Royer (Photo: Jason Redmond, AP Images)
The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.
20. Demi LovatoAfter weathering a well-cataloged meltdown, a stronger, wiser Demi Lovato emerged in 2011 with a successful comeback album and a fierce new attitude. This fall, she'll take her career to the next level as a judge on "The X Factor" alongside another diva who knows a thing or two about reinvention: Britney Spears.—Jeff Royer (Photo: Paul Marotta, Getty Images)
The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.
19. Jennifer Net...The Sugarland singer has become a country fixture over the past few years with a string of hit single and No. 1 albums. She's experiencing a bit of a renaissance in 2012, both professionally (she's cultivating a much wider following as judge on the new reality singing contest "Duets") and personally (last month, she announced she was expecting her first child).—Jeff Royer (Photo: Jason Merritt, Getty Images)
The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.
18. Mary J. Blig...You know you’re a diva when VH1 has aired not one, not two, but three “Behind the Music” specials on your life. The third installment of Blige’s storied career premiered in July 2011, followed quickly by the release of her 10th album, “My Life 2: The Journey Continues (Act 1).” When not endorsing products (Blige has cross-promoted with Apple, AT&T, American Express, Reebok, Chevrolet, Pepsi, Coca-Cola and many more), Blige has been prepping the sequel to “My Life 2,” tentatively slated for release later this year.—Jeff Royer (Photo: Jordan Strauss, AP Images)
The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.
17. Alicia KeysKeys marked her first decade of diva-dom in 2011 with a 10th anniversary edition of her debut album, “Songs in A Minor.” The woman who Bono recently said possessed “lioness energy” was also immortalized with her own statue at Madame Tussauds Wax Museum of New York. When not tending to her son Egypt with producer Swizz Beats, Keys has been busy working on her next album. A new song, "New Day," debuted in late June.—Jeff Royer (Photo: Frazer Harrison, Getty Images)
The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.
16. PinkPink remains one of the pop world’s biggest mysteries. She is a devastatingly talented singer who can out-sing most of her peers, a savvy pop songwriter, a fierce and independent woman who embraces her sexuality without cheapening her image … yet for some reason she has been unable to crack the upper echelon of fame where peers like Beyonce and Britney reside. A hiatus from music to tend to her newborn baby bumped her temporarily down the diva charts, but Pink's already launching her comeback. Earlier this week she debuted a new single, "Blow Me (One Last Kiss)," the first sneak peek from her sixth studio album, slated for release in September.—Jeff Royer (Photo: Jason Merritt, Getty Images)
The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.
15. Mariah CareyAfter spending much of 2011 parading her twin babies around on Twitter, Carey announced her intention to refocus on music in the new year. Apart from a few one-off performances, however, she's got nothing to show for it yet. But it won't take much for the best-selling artist of the SoundScan era to shoot back up our rankings with her next release.—Jeff Royer (Photo: Abdeljalil Bounhar, AP Images)
The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.
14. Miranda Lamb...While her hubby Blake Shelton has been busy hamming up as a coach on "The Voice," Lambert has been solidifying her place as a country music superstar with the release of her fourth solo album, "Four the Record," and her first record with all-girl supergroup Pistol Annies, "Hell on Heels," each of which topped the country charts.—Jeff Royer (Photo: Christopher Polk, Getty Images)
The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.
13. Jennifer Hud...Jennifer Hudson is beloved as a fighter and a survivor who overcame personal tragedy to reshape herself (both literally and figuratively) as an empowered diva. She’s buddies with the President and has a resume that includes gigs at the Grammys, the Super Bowl and an endless stream of Weight Watchers commercials. She’s also got an Oscar on her mantel to mark just how far she’s come since her early dismissal from “American Idol.” Up next for the resilient Hudson: a recurring role on the NBC musical drama "Smash" and, in 2013, a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. —Jeff Royer (Photo: Stephen Lovekin, Getty Images)
The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.
12. MadonnaThe Material Girl came out swinging in 2012 with a dynamic Super Bowl halftime performance and the release of her 12th studio album, "MDNA," which debuted at No. 1, and her record-extending 38th Top 10 hit.—Jeff Royer (Photo: Stephen Lovekin, Getty Images)
The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.
11. Christina Ag...After a terrible start to 2011 that included the flubbing of the National Anthem at the Super Bowl, a tumble on the stage at the Grammys, a plagiarism lawsuit, a silver screen flop with “Burlesque” and a painful public divorce, Christina Aguilera rose from the ashes like a phoenix with a four-octave range – thanks in large part to a new gig as judge and vocal coach on hit show “The Voice." Now with two successful seasons under her belt, the reinvigorated singer is prepping for the release of her seventh studio album later this year.—Jeff Royer (Photo: Jason Merritt, Getty Images)
The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.
10. Kelly Clarks...Clarkson has been on fire since the release of her aptly named 2011 album, "Stronger." She kicked off 2012 with back-to-back performances at the Super Bowl and the Grammys, and in May debuted as a judge on the singing competition "Duets."—Jeff Royer (Photo: Michael Loccisano, Getty Images)
The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.
9. Carrie Underw...In 2011, Underwood passed Kelly Clarkson as the top earner of all time among “American Idol” alumnae, having sold more than 12 million albums and 18 million digital tracks. She inflated those numbers even further in 2012 with the release of her fifth No. 1 country album, "Blown Away," and her 11th No. 1 country song, "Good Girl." —Jeff Royer (Photo: Christopher Polk, Getty Images)
The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.
8. Nicki MinajThe Lady Gaga of hip-hop, Nicki Minaj is a huge talent alternately enhanced and obscured by her own absurd artistic vision. 2011 was a huge breakout year for Minaj, who might be the best thing going in hip-hop. But the emergence of “Super Bass” and "Starships" as global pop hits increased her stock dramatically in the pop world, catapulting the wigged wonder from Lil Wayne’s weird lil protégé to one of music’s bright spots in 2012.—Jeff Royer (Photo: Isaac Brekken, Getty Images)
The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.
7. Britney Spear...2011 was a roller-coaster year for Spears, who notched another No. 1 album (“Femme Fatale”) and single (“Hold It Against Me”) while doing nothing to combat public opinion that something disturbing lurks behind that “dead in the eyes” look. But between her engagement to boyfriend and former agent Jason Trawick and a new gig co-hosting Simon Cowell's "The X Factor," things are looking up for everyone's favorite wayward Mouseketeer.—Jeff Royer (Photo: Paul Marotta, Getty Images)
The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.
6. RihannaRihanna continues to claw her way into the record books. The 24-year-old now owns 11 No. 1 singles, making her the youngest artist in Billboard history to hit that mark. Her sixth studio album, “Talk That Talk,” hit No. 3 in November, furthering her worldwide sales bonanza. She's spent much of 2012 growing her global brand with the release of the second fragrance and her first feature film, the widely panned "Battleship."—Jeff Royer (Photo: Jonathan Short, AP Images)
The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.
5. Katy PerryPerry spent most of 2011 watching her juggernaut of an album, “Teenage Dream,” continue to smash records. It became only the second album in history to yield five No. 1 singles (joining Michael Jackson’s “Bad”) and kept Perry on the Billboard Hot 100 charts for a record-breaking 69 consecutive weeks. Her public split with hubby Russell Brand notwithstanding, Perry is enjoying a victory lap in 2012 that's included the release of her first video game, "The Sims 3: Katy Perry's Sweet Treats," and, later this week, the documentary concert film "Katy Perry: Part of Me."—Jeff Royer (Photo: John Shearer/Invision, AP Images)
The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.
4. Taylor SwiftStill coasting on the success of 2010's massive "Speak Now," Swift added a few more Grammys to her mantel in February, and followed that with her second consecutive Entertainer of the Year Award from the Academy of Country Music. She'll look to start the hysteria all over again in October with the release of her yet-untitled fourth album.—Jeff Royer (Photo: Isaac Brekken, AP Images)
The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.
3. Lady GagaAside from a recent cameo on "The Simpsons," the global brand that is Lady Gaga has been relatively quiet in the U.S. in the first half of 2012 as she brought her Born This Way Ball to little monsters in distant lands. The silence won't last long, however; in September, she'll be releasing the title of her third full-length album, which is already in the can.—Jeff Royer (Photo: Charles Krupa, AP Images)
The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.
2. AdeleThe unparalleled success of her album "21" help Adele hopscotch Lady Gaga into the No. 2 spot. Earlier this year she picked up both the Grammy and the BRIT Award for Album of the Year, and in June surpassed 22 million in sales. The cherry on top of her spectacular run: Adele announced in late June that she's pregnant with her first child.—Jeff Royer (Photo: Gareth Cattermole, Getty Images)
The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.
1. BeyonceAfter disappearing from the spotlight (albeit briefly) to give birth to the world's most famous baby, Beyonce bounced back with a fury in the first half of 2012 with a string of lauded live performances and an armful of music awards. She is currently at work on a pair of new albums and is preparing to begin work as the lead of a new animated film.—Jeff Royer (Photo: Dimitrios Kambouris, Getty Images)
The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.
