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Jam Hsiao continues to overtake Jay Chou as the highest-paid Taiwanese singer

Jam Hsiao (left) continues to overtake Jay Chou as the highest-paid Taiwanese singer. (Photo: Instagram/jam_hsiao0330, Instagram/jaychou)
Jam Hsiao (left) continues to overtake Jay Chou as the highest-paid Taiwanese singer. (Photo: Instagram/jam_hsiao0330, Instagram/jaychou)

Jam Hsiao is still the highest-paid Taiwanese singer this year with an annual earning of NT$480 million (about S$23.6 million), according to a report by Apple Daily. Jay Chou comes in second with NT$460 million (about S$22.6 million).

1. Jam Hsiao — S$23.6 million

Recently, Hsiao has shifted his focus from the Taiwanese market to the Chinese market. His activities are mostly based in Mainland China now. In this year alone, he has held 25 performances that earned him NT$90 million. His rising popularity in China also gave rise to his nine endorsements, which brought in NT$120 million. Hsiao has even attended 17 reality shows, such as Keep Running and The Hero. Be it as a regular or a special guest, he earned NT$270 million from those appearances.

2. Jay Chou — S$22.6 million

In comparison though, Chou seems to have achieved his second place — just NT$20 million (about S$982,000) less than Hsiao — a lot easier. Even without holding any concert due to the pandemic, 11 endorsements are enough to keep his pockets full. Although Chou (NT$520 million) lost to Hsiao (NT$600 million) last year as well, if he manages to release his highly anticipated new album, which he has been teasing since 2017, the results may turn out quite differently next year.

3. Wang Leehom — S$10.3 million

Coming in third place again is Wang Leehom, who recently confirmed his divorce from wife of eight years. The American-born singer’s activities are also based mainly in China now. This year, he earned a total of NT$210 million (about S$10.3 million) from four endorsements, four reality shows, three movie theme songs. If we include the NT$200 million he made from his online singing classes (not counted as his showbiz income), he would have entered the NT$400 million annual income range as the other two.

4. Ella Chen — S$4.9 million

Taiwanese girl group S.H.E’s Ella Chen is the highest-earning female Taiwanese singer this year, replacing her BFF Hebe Tien, who ranked fourth last year. In order to spend time with her four-year-old son, her activities are mostly based in Taiwan now. After getting married and giving birth, she has been endorsing a greater range of products, including kitchen utensils and sanitary pads. With 10 endorsements and a couple of performances, her 2021 earnings are estimated to have reached NT$100 million (about S$4.9 million).

5. Jolin Tsai — S$4.4 million

Ranking fifth again is Jolin Tsai, who dropped out of the NT$100 million earning range for the first time in 13 years. Her NT$152 million last year is reduced to — albeit still a tidy sum — NT$90.25 million (about S$4.4 million) this year, as she hasn’t been able to hold more concerts around the world. The Mandopop queen’s 2021 earnings come from seven endorsements (NT$70 million ) and five concerts (NT$20.25 million).