TAYO GESINDE in this piece, takes a look at the lifestyles of celebrities vis-a-vis other businesses they engage in to sustain their living standards.
Despite the fact that Hollywood celebrities make a lot of money from acting as well as endorsements from big corporations, the story is though not the same for some of Nollywood artistes, but things they say are not getting better. Not minding their huge successes in film making, Hollywood actors and actresses have also tried their hands on the fashion business and are raking in millions of dollars from their clothing lines.
Celebrities who are making cool cash from their clothing lines according to Forbes rating include, Nicole Richie whose House of Harlow is worth $2million, Rachel Zoe Collection is worth $20million, Justin Timberlake who co-founded William Rast with is best friend, Trace Ayala makes $50million per year. Gwen Stefani’s L.A.M.B makes $90 million per year. Victoria Beckham’s clothing line raked in $95million in sales in 2011 alone.
Others are: P. Diddy’s Clothing line Sean John rakes in $250million a year. Jay-Z Collection brings in $700million. For Jessica Simpson Collection it is $750 million in retail sales in a year while Kimora Lee Simmons’s three fashion lines, KLS, Kouture by Kimora and Fabulosity earned her $800million per year. Ashley and Mary-Kate Olsen have three successful lines, Olsenboye kid’s line, Elizabeth and James and The Row is worth $1billion. Beyonce’s House of Deron is worth $450, the Kardashian Kollection makes up to $300 in sales. Jennifer Lopez Collection known as JLO $300m, Paris Hilton Clothing Line Collection also earns the actress some extra dollars.
Taking a cue from their Western colleagues, many Nigerian celebrities are now involved in other businesses. For many of them, the reason for engaging in business is not far-fetched, it is due to the economic situation of the country, as many of them are not well paid. Also, the desire to live an ostentatious lifestyle is said to be another reason many of them now invest in fashion, hospitality, catering, event planning and so on. Many of them are now combining acting with politics. Thhis is obvious considering the number of those who signified their intention to contest in the 2015 general elections.
Top among Nigerian artistes who are today doing well as entrepreneurs include Dapo Oyebanji Popularly known as D’Banj, he’s the Chief Executive Officer of Koko Holdings. Genevieve Nnaji is the brain behind St. Genevieve clothing line. Her collection of women’s clothing is exclusively online based .
Kate Henshaw apart from being a popular actress, is an author, a model, a real estate investor and a fitness trainer. She launched a fitness DVD, Kate Fit for Life. She also tried her hands on politics but could not get her party’s ticket. Tuface Idibia is the proud owner of ‘Rumours’, a night club in the heart of Festac Town in Lagos.
Ebube Nwagbo is the CEO of Posh Hair, while Tonto Dike too has a salon in Lekki area of Lagos. The likes of Joy Egbunu and Oby Okafor are into catering business. Oby Okafor is the CEO of Coded Falour while Joy Egbunu’s own is called Jeez Cusine.
Yoruba actress, Dayo Amusa, is the proprietress of Payday Montessori Creche located in Lagos and Ibadan. She is also known to be into the fashion business. Her friend and colleague, Iyabo Ojo, is the founder of Fespris World, a beauty parlor located in Allen Avenue, Ikeja. Bukky Wright, who is also into beauty business owing Wright Spa/Beauty Salon which offers services such as facials, body bath, gele tying, waxing, massage and so on. Another actress, Susan Maxwell is the owner of Dr Susan Skin Care Clinic; she is into skin care herbal products.
Comedian Tee A has a restaurant, while Ayo Makun, popularly called AY, has a lounge, MVP located in Lekki, Lagos. Another Comedian, Seyi Law is the brain behind Xcess Lounge located in Ikorodu, Lagos.
Other artistes who are now business owners are: Chidi Mokeme, Bimbo Thomas, KCEE, and Dayo Adeneye popularly known as D1, Laide Bakare, Obesere, Ayuba, Saidi Osupa, Susan Maxwell, Halima Abubakar, Mercy Aigbe and so on.
Chidi Mokeme has a fashion label ‘GQ Wear house’ located in Ikota environs of Lekki, Lagos. IT sells every collection from around the world. He is also said to be in the business of selling sex toys. Mercy Aigbe runs Mag Divas Boutique, located in Lagos, while her colleague, Fathia Balogun, House of Faiteea, a beauty and wine shop is located in Abeokuta. Bimbo Thomas is also into fashion business, while Halima Abubakar is into farming.
Kcee is into oil and gas, while the likes of Saidi Osupa, Obesere are into property business. The duo of Dayo Adeneye and Adewale Ayuba have hotels in Lagos.
