Celebrity Ventures That Flopped Spectacularly

When it comes to celebrity entrepreneurship, we often hear about the success stories of those who have built thriving business empires on the back of their fame. From Kylie Jenner’s cosmetics line to Jay-Z’s Roc Nation, there are countless examples of celebrities who have managed to make a seamless transition to the business world.

However, there are just as many examples of celebrity businesses that have flopped disastrously. Here, we will be highlighting some celebrity ventures that did not go that far. We will also be exploring the reasons for their failure. If you are an aspiring entrepreneur, you will learn valuable lessons from these cautionary tales.

BBC / There are numerous celebrity ventures that have flopped spectacularly.

Shaquille O’Neal’s Soda Shaq

In 2012, NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal announced the launch of Soda Shaq, a line of cream sodas. The venture was greeted with enthusiasm by many fans, but the sodas ultimately failed to catch on.

However, critics panned the drinks, describing them as overly sweet and lacking in carbonation. By 2014, the brand was discontinued.

Justin Bieber’s King Cali

In 2016, Justin Bieber announced the launch of King Cali, a line of marijuana products. With the legal cannabis industry booming in many parts of the world, it seemed like a surefire hit.

However, the venture never got off the ground, and Bieber’s business partner eventually sued him for more than $100 million, alleging breach of contract.

Crack / Gwyneth Paltrow’s controversial Goop Shop is one of the leading examples of flopped celebrity ventures.

Gwyneth Paltrow’s Goop Wellness Summit

First up: Gwyneth Paltrow’s lifestyle brand, Goop, is no stranger to controversy. But her wellness summit was meant to be a chance for the brand to showcase its products and philosophy to fans.

Unfortunately, things did not go as planned. Attendees complained about expensive tickets, long lines, and underwhelming content. The event was widely criticized, and Paltrow was forced to apologize.

Dan Aykroyd’s Crystal Head Vodka

Film star Dan Aykroyd is the founder of Crystal Head Vodka, a high-end brand that boasts of its unique distillation process and crystal skull-shaped bottles. While the vodka has gained a following among some spirits enthusiasts, it has struggled to gain a foothold in the crowded spirits market.

Some critics have dismissed the vodka as a gimmick, and the brand has failed to achieve mainstream success.

Times / Lindsay Lohan’s Club Lohan closed its doors six months after opening.

Lindsay Lohan’s Club Lohan

In 2016, Lindsay Lohan announced that she would be opening a nightclub in Athens, Greece. The venture was heavily publicized, with Lohan appearing in press events and social media posts to promote the club.

However, Club Lohan failed to attract a significant customer base and eventually closed its doors less than a year after opening.

Kim Kardashian’s KKW Beauty

Finally, Kim Kardashian’s cosmetics line, KKW Beauty, has been a major success. But it was preceded by a failed venture. In 2017, Kardashian announced the launch of KKW Fragrance, a line of perfumes.

While the perfumes garnered some positive reviews, the business failed to gain traction, and the brand was eventually discontinued.