The glamour of celebrity endorsements often tempts consumers into making purchases. Many stars have lent their names to products, sometimes yielding lucrative results, such as George Foreman’s grill endorsements that brought in more than his boxing earnings. However, not every celebrity venture has been a success. Today, we delve into five celebrity brands that prove not all that glitters, even if endorsed by stars, are gold.
Jessica Simpson’s Edible Beauty Line
Known for her billion-dollar fashion empire, Simpson ventured into the beauty sphere with her ‘Dessert’ line. These products were not only beauty-focused but also edible, boasting items like body frosting, sugar shimmer, and whipped body cream.
While the idea of edible cosmetics may intrigue some, the line didn’t resonate well with its audience. It was discontinued after a period, and questions arose on the practicality of such a concept. After all, would the average consumer desire a body mist that left them smelling like a frosted cake?
Shaquille O’Neal’s Offbeat Gaming Debut: Shaq-Fu
In 1994, basketball legend Shaquille O’Neal took an unconventional endorsement route by promoting a martial arts video game for Sega Genesis and Super Nintendo titled ‘Shaq-Fu.‘ Despite its unique concept, the game garnered mixed to negative reviews. Most found the idea of casting a basketball player as a martial arts protagonist odd. While a sequel, ‘Shaq-Fu: A Legend Reborn,‘ was announced in 2014 and eventually released in 2018, it originated from a crowdfunding campaign rather than mainstream demand.
Keeping Up with the Card-ashians: The Kardashian Kard
The Kardashians introduced a debit card named the Kardashian Kard, in collaboration with the Fresno-based Revenue Resource Group LLC. Shortly after its launch, it became apparent that the card had ‘predatory’ fees. With charges close to $100 annually just for ownership, not to mention the additional transaction fees, consumers quickly turned away. The Kardashians withdrew their endorsement within a month, leading to legal tussles as the card company sought $75 million in damages.
The Tan That Divided Critics: Lindsay Lohan’s Sevin Nyne
In 2009, Lohan launched the Sevin Nyne self-tanner. This spray-on tan product became a significant part of her beauty routine for several years. Although the product still finds buyers, it hasn’t escaped criticism. Fashion critics pointed out that the tanner made Lohan appear much older, raising questions about its overall effect on users. It’s worth noting, however, that among Lohan’s ventures, this self-tanner stands out as one of her more successful projects.
When Labels Lie: The Raccoon Dog Fur Controversy
Diddy, Jay-Z, and Marc Jacobs faced controversy when clothing items from their brands were found to contain real raccoon dog fur, contrary to the faux fur labels. Ethical concerns came to the forefront, leading to these fur-detailed clothes being pulled from shelves. Mislabeling and the use of real fur caused trust issues among consumers who prioritize ethical fashion.