Celebrities seem to really love to start alcohol-related ventures, Ryan Reynolds and his Aviation Gin, Kendall Jenner’s tequila and many, many others. But we’ve selected a handful of unexpected celebrity side hustles, things you wouldn’t expect your favorite star to invest money in.
Rebel Wilson’s Fluid App
“It’s not just a dating app, it’s a kind of movement,” said Wilson about her app. Her goal with Fluid is to create a space where people are encouraged to embrace their true selves, all while in the search for their soulmate. So, if you want to find “love without labels,” go and install the Fluid app.
Cameron Diaz’s “Avaline” Wine
Founded by Cameron Diax and Katherine Power, Avaline sells “clean” wine, meaning wine that’s all-natural, vegan and organic. Diaz decided to break into the wine industry, but with a twist – it’s wine with a wellness vibe.
Venus Williams’s VStarr Interior Design Company
You think of many things when you think of tennis but home decor is somewhat not on the bingo card. V Starr is Venus Williams’ interior design firm, founded in 2002, with a strong focus on creating stylish, functional spaces that blend modern design with comfort. And in March 2024 she jumped on the AI bandwagon and launched an AI design platform, Palazzo.
Shaquille O’Neal’s Big Chicken Restaurant Chain
Shaq, always larger than life, opened a fast-food chain called Big Chicken, where he serves up everything from Louisiana-style fried chicken sandwiches to cookies as big as basketballs, because why the hell not. The great parfait about it? You could open your very own franchise if you feel like a fast food business is something you want to do.
Samuel’s Sweet Shop Owned By Two Celebrity Couples
Jeffrey Dean Morgan along with wife Hilarie Burton and another Holywood powercouple, Paul & Julie Rudd decided to make their passion for a sweet tooth come to life by saving this cute candy store. After its original owner Ira Gutner’s sudden death in 2014, our four good guys (and gals) decided to come together and buy the store. It’s been the sweetest ride ever since.
Snoop Dogg’s Snoop Doggie Doggs
The OG dog launched his own dog product line, including everything from stylish dog apparel to accessories like dog bowls and leashes, all having that from the hood vibe.
Scarlett Johansson’s Yummy Pop
Scarlet opened a gourmet popcorn shop in France when she was married to Romain Dauriac, a venture that is now closed for two reasons. One, she divorced Dauriac so this would have been an awkward reunion. And two, apparently French people are not that wild for popcorn, gourmet or not.
Seth Rogen’s Houseplant
Seth Rogen’s Houseplant is a cannabis brand he co-founded in 2020 that focuses on high-quality marijuana products and related accessories. Houseplant combines Rogen’s love for cannabis with his new found love for pottery, making for some very cool, sleek, design-forward approach items.
Jaden Smith’s Just Water
Jaden Smith is all about the environment, and his eco-friendly water company offers a sustainable alternative to plastic bottles. In this case, plant-based packaging is what sets these water bottles apart. It’s a great cause with a solid celebrity endorsement.
Matthew McConaughey’s Just Keep Livin Brand
The man loves his catchphrases, and McConaughey turned his “Just Keep Livin’” mantra into a clothing line. It’s all about positive vibes… and a whole lot of tie-dye. And it’s not all about JKL, you can also get hoodies or tshirts with his famous “Alright alright alright” catchphrase.
Cher’s Cherlato
In July 2023 Cher announced she’ll try her luck in the gelato business and fans didn’t disappoint. Their reactions were wild, from “Churn back time” to “ The Scoop Scoop Song.” Keeping fingers crossed this business stays afloat, the ice cream/gelato industry is insane in LA.
Steve Carell’s Marshfield Hills General Store in Marshfield Hills, Massachusetts
Carell was in cahoots with his sister-in-law, Tish Vivado, buying the store back in 2009 because he wanted to preserve a piece of American history. They bought it, restored the place and currently sells things that target a more modern audience.
Lin-Manuel Miranda’s Drama Book Shop
Four men with ties to “Hamilton,” the musical, own the place. We have Lin-Manuel Mirand as the musical’s creator, Thomas Kail as the director, Jeffrey Seller the lead producer and James L. Nederlander, the theater owner. Drama Book Shop is an independent bookstore in New York City and apparently more than just a book shop, at least for Kail who was friends with the former owners and formed a small theater company in its basement.
And that’s a wrap from us! We hope you’ve enjoyed our unexpected celebrity side hustles list and maybe you’ve even found one or two ideas for a business of your own ;)? Anyway, hit us up in the comments with other interesting and quirky side hustles from celebrities you know about. Have a cool one! If you’d like more celebs then maybe check out our list of 15 Celebrity Death Hoaxes or these 30 Celebrities Who Went To Prison or these 22 Weird Celebrity Endorsements.
