According to Forbes women who work in prime time television have huge earning potential. Although actresses like Katherine Heigl are extremely popular it is a sister who tops the magazine’s list. Who you might ask? None other than the brains behind America’s Next Top Model, Tyra Banks.

I may have issues from time to time with her shameless self-promotion but there is no denying that this woman is incredibly smart when it comes to managing her career. She wields power behind the camera (on her daytime talk show, ANTM as well as the forthcoming reality show Stylista) and is willing to take a chance on other lucrative projects like Clique, the direct to DVD series aimed at teen girls. She also works hard and her efforts have a big financial payoff. Banks is projected to earn $23 million. 

It was surprising that a model turned mogul who makes a good portion of her dough from reality tv would top a prime time list. But the days of the Friends cast pulling down a cool million for each episode are long gone. The next spot on the list goes to another model turned mogul, Heidi Klum of Project Runway fame who will make $14 million. Then comes Heigl, most of the cast of Desperate Housewives and a host of other folks. But then I found the only other sister to make the list. Vanessa Williams, who looks like she is having the time of her life playing Wilhelmina Slater on Ugly Betty is expected to earn $4.5 million. But look for this former Miss America to parlay her role into a Pro-Activ pitch woman into much more. She has inked a deal to create a line of her own in a deal worth $20 million. 

We already know that movie roles are few but far between for black women. (Or they are the same role over and over…hello Gabrielle Union). Anyway, if some of these talented sisters could get more steady work on the small screen they too would have the chance to grab the spotlight, make moves behind the scenes and ink deals of their own.