Gisele Bündchen Is World's Highest Paid Model, $25M Annually (Catwalk Video)

Gisele Is Again World's Highest Paid Model


Despite its reputation for pushing boundaries, the fashion world is playing it safe lately — at least when it comes to its models.

Blame the recession and media-advertising slump. After a punishing year of penny-pinching consumers and struggling stores, fashion houses and retailers have been loathe to risk spending big bucks hiring untested beauties to showcase their clothes.

Even Victoria's Secret, which built its brand by introducing the world to an endless string of gorgeous women in its catalogs and runway shows, has not contracted a new "Angel" to join its lineup in two years. The last model to join its curvy ranks: Holland’s Doutzen Kroes.

"Companies want to know that if they're putting money behind a talent that she is recession-proof," says Ivan Bart, senior vice president and managing director of ING Models, which represents model superstars such as Gisele Bündchen and Heidi Klum.

"We find that the experienced models continue to earn well."

A slump in magazine advertising has cut the opportunities for models looking to break into the A-list, too. According to the Magazine Publishers of America, magazine ad pages for apparel and accessories plunged nearly 12 percent between April 2009 and 2010 — after falling more than 20 percent over the same time a year earlier.

When companies do buy ads, they reserve the space for their proven talent. "With the exception of the top 20 girls, there’s less work and less money," says Edward Razek, chief marketing officer for Limited Brands — Victoria's Secret's parent company.

Despite the tough times, the world’s top models still raked in some serious cash during the last year. Both Gisele Bündchen and Heidi Klum retained their top spots in our annual list of the World's Top Earning Models. The models on our list were ranked according to estimated earnings from June 2009 to June 2010.

No. 1 on our list yet again is Bündchen, the 29-year-old Brazilian beauty married to NFL quarterback Tom Brady. She gave birth to the couple's first child in December, lost the baby weight seemingly that very instant and went back to work.

Hard to blame her. As the world’s most sought-out face and body, Bündchen made an estimated $25 million in the past year. Aside from starring in campaigns for True Religion jeans, Dolce & Gabbana, Bündchen has her own skin care line and her own lucrative sandals brand — Ipanema by Gisele.

German sensation Heidi Klum is second with $16 million. She parlayed her modeling career into a star slot on the lucrative television series Project Runway, now in its seventh season. Runway has even inspired a videogame (on Nintendo's Wii) featuring Klum’s voice. But modeling remains Klum's bread and butter. She continues to grace Victoria's Secret runways and starred in campaigns ranging from McDonald's in Germany to Volkswagen.

Kate Moss ranks third, with $9 million. Despite her well-publicized personal and professional ups and downs, Moss, 36, kept busy in the last 12 months. Aside from designing a fashion line for the British retailer Topshop, Moss released a new perfume, announced she's designing handbags for Longchamp and made headlines — starting a trend — by dying her hair with gray streaks.

Moss remains the face of Versace, Longchamp and David Yurman, among others. In November she got flack from eating disorder support groups for telling Women's Wear Daily, "Nothing tastes as good as skinny feels."

Also on the list:

Kroes, Brazilian beauty (and new mom) Adriana Lima, rags to riches Russian model Natalia Vodianova, as well as Alessandra Ambrosio, Daria Werbowy and Miranda Kerr. The only American on the list? Carolyn Murphy, 36. Work with Estée Lauder, Roberto Cavalli and Anne Klein helped her earn $3.5 million, landing her in the 10th slot.

When the economy recovers, the fashion industry will have a fresh supply of new talent waiting for career-changing contracts, including Coco Rocha, Julia Stegner and Constance Jablonski.

Former Calvin Klein Jeans model Lara Stone will likely vault onto our list of top earners in the next year. Whispers among fashion insiders suggest the Dutch beauty has landed seven-figure contracts with some of the industry's most prestigious brands.

Still, it’s unlikely that fashion’s next "It Girl" will ever earn as much as Bündchen did during the frothy days of 2008. Says Razek: "Things might snap back, but there’s definitely been some elastic taken out of the rubber band."


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Sources: Forbes.com, MSNBC, Victoria Secret, Youtube, Google Maps

Charlotte's Crime Gets Worse, Voters Are Angry & Scared (Survey)

Charlotte's Crime Problem Not Improving, Citizens Are Scared


Respondents to a survey organized by a Charlotte community organization disagree with Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police statistics showing a dropping crime rate in the city.

About 80 percent of the approximately 500 people who participated in the survey said the crime problem in Charlotte is either unchanged or has gotten worse over the past two years.

The study was conducted in recent weeks by Neighbors For A Safer Charlotte, a grassroots organization founded in April 2008.

Their study results contrast with a steady stream of monthly crime statistics from Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police, showing -- for the most part -- that the crime rate has been dropping over the past 12 to 18 months.

Earlier this week, CMPD statistics through March showed the overall crime rate is down 15 percent since the same time a year ago.

The survey results show that if CMPD statistics are correct, the perception among residents is that crime remains a big problem.

Respondents did not fall into the "lock-them-up-and-throw-away-the-key" category, as most of them said they support more mental health and substance abuse programs -- and said they believe only violent offenders should be put in jail.




Here are results from some of the organization's questions:

How much of a problem do you feel crime is in the Charlotte area?

75% rated it "serious" or "very serious"



In the past two years, has crime in Charlotte increased, stayed the same, or decreased?

42% said it is worse. Another 38% said it has remained the same.

Do you own a gun for protection?

31% said they owned a gun. Another 18 percent said they are considering buying one.

Which factors tend to increase the crime problem locally?



91% said gang and drug activity.

83% said the absence of a responsible parent or role model tends to increase crime activity among juveniles.

75% said lenient sentencing equals more crime.

50% said racial tensions were not likely to contribute to crime.

Not rated as significant factors were unemployment and poverty, and the lack of a police presence.

When asked has the City of Charlotte and Mecklenburg County done enough to deal with the crime problem?

79% of Respondents said more needs to be done.




Are the courts too lenient or too tough?

78% said they are too lenient.

Do you plan to vote in the District Attorney race in November?

91% said they plan to vote in that contest.

What would help solve the crime problem?



96% said tougher sentencing.

88% said more programs for juveniles outside regular school hours.

85% said more mental health and substance abuse programs.

70% said only violent offenders should be incarcerated.




Forbes List Charlotte, NC As America's 14th Most Dangerous City

(Charlotte-Gastonia-Concord, N.C.-S.C. metropolitan statistical area)

Population: 1,635,133

Violent Crimes per 100,000: 721


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Sources: WCNC, McClatchy Newspapers, Forbes.com, NSC, Google Maps

Forbes Ranks Charlotte 14th Most Dangerous U.S. City!....Charlotte's Black Community Needs To Do Better!

Just in from Forbes.com, Charlotte, NC ("Queen City of the Carolinas") has been ranked one of the most dangerous cities in the United States. Number 14Th to be exact!

For anyone who dares to doubt this information, Forbes gathered the data for their reporting from the FBI (Federal Bureau of Investigations). The FBI provided Forbes with national crime statistics from the year 2008.

The metropolitan cities considered for this story all scored BIG on Crime in these four categories:

1) Murder/ Non-Negligent Manslaughter

2) Forcible Rape

3) Robbery

4) Aggravated Assault

Charlotte is listed as one of our nation's most dangerous cities?? OMG! How can this be?

Wait a minute!

Doesn't Charlotte have a New, Big City Police Chief now (former DC resident Chief Rodney Monroe)?

In fact wasn't he hired just last year?

So....what's the problem?

I don't wish to point fingers but....

Could it be that Charlotte's "chickens have come home to roost" as it relates to Gang Activity and Illegal Immigration?

Could it also be that since Charlotte's Black Community has failed to show proper guidance to their Youth, especially the Low-Income Youth now they are out of control?

(Didn't Mayor Pat McCrory (R) warn everyone this was going to happen?)

Instead of Charlotte's Black Community running to the Media with rumors of Mayor McCrory being a "Closet Racist", perhaps they should have been listening to him and coming up with a plan to help the Black & Hispanic Youth. (Denial is not a river in Egypt.)

Moving forward, what about the Charlotte City Council and Charlotte-Mecklenburg County Commissioners both controlled by the North Carolina's Corrupt Democratic Party?

Is it possible some of that corruption somehow trickled its way down to Queen Charlotte's resident namesake?

Oh well no use crying over spilled milk.

Here are a few suggestions regarding cleaning up this mess. Please take heed so that going forward no publication or website will have to ever publish such negative news about Charlotte, NC again.

A) Stop all the division and lay aside all egos! Both the Republicans and Democrats need to begin working together. This includes accepting each party's differences for the common good of the Charlotte community.

In order to get Charlotte off of the "FBI's Most Dangerous Cities list", its going to take a Bi-Partisan effort.


B) Create Jobs and offer more Job Training. Real JOBS! NOT just jobs paying $8.00 or $9.00 an hour. Who can make it in Charlotte on those wages?

Governor Bev Perdue's $2 Million dollar investment to Charlotte for Job Training, is a good start but there is NO way $2 Million dollars will be able to meet all the needs of city with a population of more than 1 Million citizens, hit so hard by the failing Banking Industry.

She is going to have to come up with more than $2 Million dollars to help put Charlotteans back to work.


C) The Black community's "Leaders" need to stop Bickering and Fighting over titles and positions.

Sidebar: While we're on the subject, why is it that before every major political election the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Black Political Caucus members tend to behave like immature children?

For all of their Academic and Professional Achievements, why can't the Caucus members demonstrate examples of Dignity, Poise, Respect, Leadership and Wisdom for Charlotte's Minority Youth?

I don't understand why you all just can't get along? What's up with all the "isms" and "schisms"? Your Well-Educated, Gainfully Employed, Semi-Wealthy, Residing in Nice Homes, etc., so what's the problem?

Why can't you all learn to respect one another's differences?

Can the newly appointed President of the organization Gloria Rembert, explain why the Black Political Caucus hasn't been more effective in helping to foster Equality, Fairness, Unity, Cultural Understanding, Positive Racial Relations, etc., between Charlotte's Black community and the rest of Charlotte's population? Inquiring local minds would like to know.

To the Caucus Leaders here's an idea to help resolve the situation, with only 150 Black Political Caucus members in a city with more than 1 million citizens perhaps the organization should just disband.

Charlotte doesn't have an NAACP Chapter anymore, so why do we still need a Black Political Caucus?

Especially when the Caucus members aren't doing anything but bickering, arguing over money, causing division and electing new "Leaders" every year anyway.

I mean come on, the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Black Political Caucus doesn't even have a website. Your not even on Twitter for Heavens Sake. How embarrassing!

Yes I'm a proud registered Democrat but let's be honest shall we?

Neither the Republican Party or the G.O.P. is destroying Charlotte's Black Community. Charlotte's Black Leaders are!

Our Minority Children and Youth deserve better. Much better.


D) Both the City and County needs to partner with the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Public School District. In addition assist the district with helping Parents, especially the Low-Income parents to become more involved in their child(ren)'s Education.

Several years ago while employed at one of Charlotte's Elementary schools as an Instructional Teacher Assistant, I recall Mayor Pat McCrory taking time from his busy schedule to come and read to a group of third grade students on Volunteer Day. That's an example of someone who cares.

I also recall Charlotte City Councilman John Lassiter working tirelessly on the CMS School board for 11 years, to ensure that Charlotte's Public School students both Black and White, would receive an Equal Education.

Since his departure along with former Chairman Aurthur Griffin, Charlotte's Public Schools have become Re-Segregated and are going downhill.

Why don't we as a community raise the Educational bar for Charlotte's students by geting rid of and Closing ALL the Failing Public and Charter Schools where 95 to 100% of the student population are Poor, Minority students?

Then work together on a New, Strategic Educational plan to Re-Integrate Charlotte's Public Schools?

This focus should be implemented immediately even it means electing a whole New School Board and hiring a New Superintendent.

Throwing kids in jail with Adults is NOT going to solve the problem or reduce crime.

We as a community MUST begin investing in the lives of our Children and Youth, regardless what side of the tracks they hail from. (Hint, Hint to the Charlotte Black Community)


E) To help reduce Recidivism or Repeat Offenders, instead of trying to create "Trumped Up Charges" against them or use Entrapment to send them off to Prison for life, why not partner with Charlotte Churches and Cities like D.C. with effective Ex-Offender programs, to get these folk job training, G.E.D.s, housing, medical care, HIV/ AIDS testing & treatment, Substance abuse treatment, Mental Health treatment, Birth Control/ Family Planning, enrolled in President Obama's Americorps Volunteer programs, etc.,

Wouldn't that be a lot less expensive then spending hundreds of millions of Taxpayer dollars to house them in Prison cells for say 20 to 50 years?? After all they are still Human Beings. Aren't they?


F) City and County officials need to ensure that ALL of Charlotte's neighborhoods are being treated equally. This includes Sidewalks, Public Safety, Cleanliness, Affordable Housing but NO large concentrations of Public Housing residents in one community, Good Schools, Modern Mass Public Transportation, Recreation for Children and Youth, Economic Development, etc.,

For example in my community (a Multi-Cultural, working class neighborhood), the Charlotte Police Dept. often React instead of working the residents in that region to be Proactive.

We can barely get them to come out and Patrol "certain" communities.

The only time we really see them is when they are arresting someone or handing out Traffic Tickets. This appears to be commonplace within communities where the majority of the residents are Black and Hispanic.

In comparison.....

To communities where the majority of the residents are Caucasian, Wealthy, Semi-Wealthy or all three. In those neighborhoods the Police are often Friendly and they actually patrol the premises while interacting with the residents, versus pulling out a Taser gun or handcuffs to arrest a citizen.

I don't personally know Chief Rodney Monroe, thus it would be unfair to imply his department is behaving this way with his permission.

However since he is the Chief, he will bear the blame for the conduct of his Officers, both positive and negative.


G) As the city continues to grow offer more Uptown activities and allow the Businesses Uptown to remain open longer. At least until 5:00 am in the morning.

Tourists don't want to spend money or remain in a dead city.

I believe its called Urban Planning & Development.


H) Assign at least two Police Officers on the Lynx Light Rail daily and at least one Officer on Mass Transit buses (CATS) that service communities with a lot of Crime. Once again this should be done daily.

If Chief Monroe needs more Officers, than perhaps he should seek funding from President Obama's COPS program.


I) Continue to control the Illegal Immigration problem but do so without practicing Racial Profiling.

Reduce Gang Activity by deporting Illegal Gang members and reach out to Charlotte's Black and Hispanic Youth. Help get these kids into Colleges or Trade Schools instead of just wanting to throw them in jail.

In addition (as I mentioned above) help get them enrolled in President Obama's National Service program. Expand the Big Brothers and Big Sisters programs. Allow Zoning for more After School and Summer Camp programs.

To the Charlotte-Mecklenburg DSS officials STOP allowing and encouraging Charlotte's Teenage girls to have baby after baby, etc.,

And.....make those Deadbeat dads pay Child Support!


J) Develop a Charlotte Teen Entrepreneurial program. I'm serious!

You can't expect these kids to change without someone helping to give them a Hope and a Future. Something better than what they see daily in their regular environments.


K) Last but not least, create more Affordable Housing and do something (MORE) about helping get Charlotte's Homeless citizens off the streets.

This does NOT mean locking these people up or placing them in Mental Health Institutions unless they have committed a Real crime or are actually in need of Mental Health treatment. Just like Ex-Offenders, Homeless people are still Human Beings made in God's image.

Now let's get moving and create the CHANGE we wish to see!



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Sources: Forbes, Charlotte Observer, Newsobserver, Washington Post, Wikipedia, Acorreia.net, Charmeck.org, North Carolina Dept of Health and Human Services, Big Brothers and Sisters, votelassiter.com, WCNC, CMS