Lights, Camera, Bankruptcy: Celebrities Who Should’ve Stuck to Showbiz Instead of Business!

By Krystal Brown

When the glittering world of Hollywood collided with the enticing realm of business, the result was far from glamorous as some celebrities embarked on comedic misadventures that left them bankrupt and us in fits of laughter.

Natalie Portman: Vegan Footwear Line

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In 2008, actress Natalie Portman launched a vegan footwear line called the Natalie Portman Collection. The line was met with positive reviews, but it was eventually discontinued after just a year.

Flava Flav: Flav’s Fried Chicken

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Blake Lively: Preserve

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In 2015, actress Blake Lively launched an online lifestyle magazine called Preserve. The magazine was supposed to be a source of inspiration for women, but it was met with mixed reviews and was eventually shut down after just two years.

Naomi Campbell, Elle Macpherson, and Claudia Schiffer: Fashion Cafe

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In 1995, three of the world’s most famous supermodels opened a chain of restaurants called Fashion Cafe. The restaurants were supposed to be a high-end dining experience with a celebrity twist, but they quickly went out of business.

Jay-Z: J Hotels

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In 2005, rapper Jay-Z announced plans to open a chain of luxury hotels called J Hotels. However, the project never came to fruition and the company was eventually dissolved.

Oprah Winfrey: Oxygen Media

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In 2000, talk show host Oprah Winfrey launched a cable television network called Oxygen Media. The network was supposed to be a destination for women, but it was met with poor ratings and was eventually sold to NBCUniversal in 2011.

Demi Lovato: Safehouse Records

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In 2017, singer Demi Lovato launched a record label called Safehouse Records. The label was supposed to be a platform for new artists, but it has only released a handful of albums and has not been a commercial success.

Kanye West: Yeezy Apparel

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In 2015, rapper Kanye West launched a clothing line called Yeezy Apparel. The line was met with positive reviews and has been a commercial success, but it has also been criticized for its high prices and its use of sweatshop labor.

Michael Jordan: 23XI Racing

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In 2020, basketball legend Michael Jordan launched a NASCAR team called 23XI Racing. The team was supposed to be a success, but it has struggled to win races and has been criticized for its lack of diversity.

Britney Spears: Curious Fragrance

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In 2004, celebrated singer Britney Spears made her entry into the fragrance market with the launch of Curious, a fragrance that achieved significant commercial success. However, it received criticism for its relatively high price.

 

Justin Bieber: Drew House

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In 2020, singer Justin Bieber launched a clothing line called Drew House. The line has been a commercial success, but it has also been criticized for its unoriginal designs and its high prices.

Nick Lachey: Newlyweds Wine

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In 2007, singer Nick Lachey launched a wine called Newlyweds Wine. The wine was met with mixed reviews and was eventually discontinued in 2010.

Jessica Simpson: Dessert Beauty

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In 2004, actress and singer Jessica Simpson launched a line of edible cosmetics called Dessert Beauty. The line was met with mixed reviews and was eventually discontinued after just a few years.

Nick Carter: Nick Carter Fragrance

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In 2002, Backstreet Boys member Nick Carter launched a fragrance called Nick Carter. The fragrance was a commercial success, but it was also criticized for its unoriginality and its high price tag.

The Kardashians: MasterCard

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The Kardashian Kard, a prepaid MasterCard, faced failure due to excessive fees. The partnership was terminated within a month, resulting in a loss of $40-60 million.

Kim Basinger

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The actress invested $20 million in Baselton, Georgia in 1989, with the intention of transforming it into a tourist destination similar to the Sundance Film Festival. However, she struggled to execute her plans and eventually sold the property for just $1 million after five years. This financial setback also led to her declaring bankruptcy.

Ashton Kutcher: Katalyst Films

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In 2001, actor Ashton Kutcher launched a production company called Katalyst Films. The company was supposed to produce films and television shows, but it only produced a handful of projects before it was shut down in 2007.

Kendra Wilkinson: Kendra On Top Wine

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Reality TV star Kendra Wilkinson made her foray into the wine industry in 2013 by introducing her own wine brand, Kendra On Top Wine. However, the wine received a mixed response from consumers and critics alike, leading to its discontinuation in 2015.

Ciara: Ciara’s Crème Body Wash

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In 2014, acclaimed singer Ciara ventured into the personal care industry by launching her own body wash line named Ciara’s Crème Body Wash. However, the product received a varied reception with both positive and negative reviews, leading to its discontinuation in 2016.

Paris Hilton: Heiress Perfume

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Socialite Paris Hilton made a notable entry into the fragrance industry back in 2005 with the launch of her fragrance named Heiress. While the scent achieved significant commercial success, it also faced criticism for being unoriginal in its composition and carrying a hefty price tag.

Kevin Jonas: Jonas Brothers Winery

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In 2013, Jonas Brothers member Kevin Jonas launched a winery called Jonas Brothers Winery. The winery was met with mixed reviews and was eventually sold in 2019.

Eva Longoria: Eva Longoria Signature Scent

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In 2006, actress Eva Longoria entered the fragrance market with the release of her signature scent, aptly named Eva Longoria Signature Scent. However, the fragrance received a diverse range of reviews, resulting in a mixed reception from consumers and critics. Eventually, in 2010, the fragrance was discontinued.

Jennifer Lopez: Restaurants and Fashion

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Jennifer Lopez faced discontinuation of two of her collections: JLo, a junior miss casual collection launched in 2001 and closed in 2007, and JustSweet, a replacement for JLo, which also closed in 2009. In addition, her high-end women’s collection, Sweetface, ceased production during the same year. Similarly, her Latin restaurant, Madres, opened in 2002 but closed in Pasadena, California due to negative reviews and high costs.

Lost Faith

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Celebrities Abandoning Their Roots for New Religions

Reel Remorse

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Actors Who Regretted Saying ‘No’ to Career-Defining Roles

Heartbreak and Loss

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Celebrities Who Faced the Tragic Loss of Their Children

From Stardom to Starflops

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Hilariously Catastrophic Movies That Obliterated Actors’ Careers

Boomerisms That Will Fade Away

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HILARIOUS Phrases on Their Extinction List