Entries from May 2020 ↓

Often when people think about being famous, the first thing that comes to mind is lavish homes, fast vehicles, invitations to the best parties, and beautiful clothing. Yes, it’s true that being famous comes with all sorts of perks and a considerable amount of money. However, what a lot of people don’t realize is that fame also comes with its challenges.

Many celebrities will admit that they miss their lives before the fame. Here are some of the ways that fame isn’t always so great.

Constantly Being Photographed

Imagine stepping outside of your house the same way that you did this morning to take out the trash. Your hair was thrown up in a knot, you were wearing your finest pajama pants with holes in awkward places, and you probably looked super grumpy.

Now imagine that there is a group of 17 paparazzi waiting outside of your door who take a photo of you in this condition. Next thing you know you see yourself on the worst dressed list in the back of a magazine.

Celebrities are constantly under the pressure of having to run from the paparazzi who are determined to get a photograph. In some cases, the paparazzi can be so aggressive that it can even be fatal. Most notably the famous death of Princess Diana who was fleeing from photographers when she got into a car accident which resulted in tragedy. Unfortunately, these photographers are so desperate to get that million dollar shot, that they don’t consider it could lead to someone getting hurt.

Scrutiny on Your Appearance

It’s difficult enough to have to listen to the voice inside of your own head which is constantly criticising and judging your appearance. However, celebrities are judged by the entire world from bloggers to news shows.

The slightest change in their hair or body shape can lead to a series of magazine covers and terribly cruel commentary.

Lack of Normalcy

Even though it may seem fun to imagine walking down the street and everyone recognizing you, it can start to feel stressful after a while. Once upon a time, these people could go the store for a pack of gum as if it were no big deal, however, after the fame the smallest trip outside the door is a full-fledged spectacle.

Financial Pressures

Although receiving big paychecks is hardly something which many famous people complain about, it can be a lot of pressure.

With a lot of money comes great responsibility and pressure. Between negotiating contracts, finding the best way to invest their funds, and having to worry about whether people are using them or not. Money isn’t always the end of our worries but can sometimes add to them.

Strained Relationships

It can be challenging for famous people to maintain relationships. Since there is so much pressure from the media and their schedules are often quite full, love can be a challenge for stars and starlets.

Smoking cigars can be relaxing, celebratory, or a social occasion for people of all backgrounds. In fact, there are more than 17.4 million people who smoke cigars regularly, and stores like Thompson Cigar are thriving as they distribute top-quality cigars throughout the country (and beyond).

But what you may not know is how many famous people enjoy (or have historically enjoyed) the taste and occasion of smoking cigars.

Cigar-Loving Celebrities

These actors, politicians, and other celebrities love a good cigar:

1. Winston Churchill. Winston Churchill was known for his indulgences, in addition to his wartime bravery and political cunning. He enjoyed some of the best food and drink he could get his hands on, and of course, made the investment in cigars. It’s said that he smoked between 8 and 10 cigars a day, and once convinced the King of Saudi Arabia to waive his prohibition of smoking in his vicinity.
2. John F. Kennedy. Another politician, JFK procured 1,000 Petit Upmanns in 1962 before signing an embargo on all Cuban products (which of course, included world-famous Cuban cigars). It’s somewhat ironic that a man who loved cigars so much would prohibit their import in the United States for decades to come.
3. Michael Jordan. It’s hard to imagine a professional athlete smoking cigars, with the potential threat to their lungs, but Michael Jordan enjoyed a good cigar even at the height of his athleticism. Even while smoking in the vicinity of his nonsmoking teammates, no one dared call him on the habit.
4. Jack Nicholson. Jack Nicholson has smoked cigarettes for years as a way to calm his nerves, but eventually found cigars to be more relaxing. He was introduced to cigars in 1973, on the set of The Last Detail, and has been fond of them ever since. A few decades and 3 Academy Awards later, Nicholson still finds time to light up a good cigar.
5. Babe Ruth. It’s hard to picture the legendary baseball player Babe Ruth without a cigar sticking out of his mouth. Also known for his indulgences, when he was off the field, Babe Ruth frequently ate good food, drank good booze, and smoked the best cigars he could find. His habit never interfered with his ability to smash home runs.
6. Francis Ford Coppola. Famed director Francis Ford Coppola has enjoyed cigars for many years, but the root of his habit dates back to an introduction from Jack Warner, the former head of Warner Bros. studios. Warner taught Coppola the basics of choosing a good cigar, and how to light them properly. He even left behind a gold-and-silver cigar cutter, which Coppola inherited.
7. Sigmund Freud. Sigmund Freud was an especially heavy smoker throughout his lifetime, enjoying nearly 20 cigars a day. Eventually, his habit caught up to him when he developed oral cancer, undergoing 34 surgical procedures before his death. Due to his association with overanalyzing phallic objects, Freud also coined the phrase, “sometimes a cigar is just a cigar.”
8. Harrison Ford. Han Solo and Indiana Jones are just two of the notoriously cool characters Harrison Ford has played on screen. Harrison Ford is seen chomping on cigars in many of his pictures, but also enjoys them offscreen.

Enjoying the Habit

Smoking regularly may be harmful for your health, but almost any habit, when employed in excess, can be bad for you. These celebrities make it a point to enjoy individual moments, and celebrate special occasions with top-quality cigars. And for them, the enjoyment of the habit is worth it.

You’ve likely noticed some celebrities appearing as spokespeople for various services—for example, William Shatner may be as well-known for his appearances in Priceline commercials almost as much as for his role in Star Trek: The Original Series. You may also have noticed your favorite athlete using one or two different brands of clothing or gear—for example, Tiger Woods has had a long and productive relationship with Nike.

But have you ever wondered about how much influence these attempts at “celebrity branding” truly have over your impressions and buying decisions? The impact here goes deeper than you might think.

Celebrity Branding in a Nutshell

Celebrity branding and endorsements can take many forms, but the end goal is always the same: use the recognizability and visibility of a known celebrity to make your product more visible or be seen in a more favorable light.

To do this, some companies request their celebrities use a product on a regular basis, such as using a specific brand of sports apparel. Others ask celebrities to appear in commercials and other ads. Still others pay celebrities to mention their brand in a social media message.

Effectiveness

There are a few different ways to gauge the true effectiveness—and impact—of celebrity branding. For starters, we can look at the prices paid out to celebrities for their endorsements. In some cases, celebrities can make millions to tens of millions of dollars for associating themselves with a line of products. And according to Marketwatch, the announcement of a major celebrity endorsement is capable of influencing a rise in stock prices, and increase sales by an average of 4 percent. Clearly, there’s something to this practice, or companies wouldn’t be willing to shell out that much money.

We can also look at objective scientific research. One Taiwanese study found that consumers have greater recall of products when they’re associated with a celebrity, regardless of whether they were fans of that celebrity or not. Apparently, all it takes is the recognition factor; if we recognize a face, regardless of whether we like the person behind it, we can’t help but have some kind of connection to it. From there, the product they’re endorsing becomes more memorable, and that lasting memory can influence our purchasing decisions.

According to one study from the University of Arkansas, consumers between the ages of 18 and 24 often model their appearance and identity based on celebrities, whether they mean to or not. This age group is far more susceptible to celebrity branding efforts than other age groups, since even a subtle endorsement of a product or service can persuade someone to purchase it.

Guarding Yourself Against Manipulation

Even if you’re aware of this celebrity endorsement effect, you may still be vulnerable to it. All it takes is one sports match or TV commercial with a celebrity at the forefront to shift your perspective and attention. So what actionable steps can you take to limit your susceptibility?

•         Comparison shop. When you’re about to buy something, don’t go with the brand that first pops into your mind. Instead, take the time to comparison shop. Sites like In My Area, Consumer Reports, and Pricewatch are especially good at this; a few minutes of research should let you know whether the brand or product you’re considering is truly worth the money, and whether there’s a less visible competitor that can offer you a better deal.

•         Ask yourself “why?” At various points in your buying decision process, ask yourself “why?” Why would this celebrity endorse this product? The answer is, they’re probably receiving monetary compensation. When you think of one specific brand when you need to buy a new product, ask yourself why you thought of that brand. Is it because the last time you saw it was in a commercial with a celebrity?

•         Check your information diet. Finally, take the time to modify your information diet. Make sure you’re getting news and information from multiple different sources, and try not to get caught in a loop of seeing the same ads over and over.

Celebrity branding is likely to continue as a major marketing and advertising strategy, thanks to how effective it truly is. And while it’s perfectly acceptable to use these instances as opportunities to learn more about products and services you might purchase anyway, you should also be aware of the psychological effects of celebrity branding—and learn to fight back against them.

We’ve all heard of George and Amal’s, Kim and Kanye’s, and Justin and Jessica’s weddings in Italy, and Tom and Katie’s, et al, in France. These European places are popular choices of stars for their destination weddings. Other than venues, what gets the most attention is the bride’s wedding dress. But not all celebrity destination weddings are held in ultra-luxurious hotels or medieval castles. And recent Hollywood brides are opting to be married in gowns that are not created by iconic designers.

Here are famous couples who picked locations that aren’t on the wedding venue radar of celebrities, and brides-to-be who said their “I do’s” in dresses that didn’t cost millions but were just as gorgeous and romantic.

1. Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds

The Green Lantern co-stars were wed in September 2012 and chose Boone Hall Plantation in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina. It is also the film setting for the movie The Notebook, aside from being a former slave plantation. The Gossip Girl star wore a wedding gown by Marchesa and had Martha Stewart’s team overseeing the preparations. Six years after walking down the aisle, Hollywood’s sweetest pair has two daughters.

2. Brody Jenner and Kaitlynn Carter

Brody Jenner, The Hills actor who is the older brother of Kendall and Kylie Jenner, married his fiancée of five years, lifestyle blogger Kaitlynn Carter at the Nihi Sumba Resort on the island of Sumba, off the Indonesian coast, in June 2018. His famous sisters and father did not attend, but that didn’t stop the couple from having a fun and romantic event. The bride, wearing a dreamy white silk gown with a beaded veil, was photographed being carried in Brody’s arms for the wedding pic.

3. Katy Perry and Russell Brand

Pop singer Katy Perry and British comedian Russell Brand chose exotic Rajasthan, India for their October 2010 wedding, complete with elephants and horses. On the fringes of the five-star and exclusive Aman-i-Khas resort is a national park with a tiger sanctuary. The couple spent for their guests to fly in and treated them to a week’s adventure including a jungle safari. While the groom donned the traditional Indian attire, the singer-bride was in an Elle Saab gown. Fourteen months later, they divorced.

4. Felicity Jones and Charles Guard

The Oscar nominee and Rogue One actress married her director boyfriend in an elegant and private ceremony at the historical fifteenth century Sudeley Castle in Gloucestershire, England. It was a small wedding with A-list actors Tom Hanks and Eddie Redmayne in attendance. Jones kept everything low-key, from her “budget” wedding dress to doing her own make-up, and keeping everything hush-hush.

5. Alicia Vikander and Michael Fassbender

Swedish actress and Tomb Raider star Alicia Vikander and Irish actor Michael Fassbender tied the knot in October 2017 sans publicity in La Granja, a farm turned resort in Ibiza, Spain. With only a few family members and close friends in attendance, the media didn’t have a clue on the activities and the wedding ceremony itself. There is no picture of Alicia in her wedding gown, but the guess is, it’s white.

Young A-listers are bucking the trend of sinking tens of thousands of dollars in a gown they will only wear once, and are being practical in their choices. And with shops like JJ’s House offering affordable and glamorous dresses, their fans can feel as beautiful as their idols on their wedding day.

6. Barron Hilton and Tessa von Walderdorff

Barron Hilton, the low-key younger brother of Paris and Nicky, married Tessa, descended from German royalty, in June 2018. It was held at the plush Villa La Plage, in St. Bart, a Caribbean island vacation spot for the rich and famous. The Hilton family were all in attendance, with Paris serving as the DJ. For a wedding that combined royalty and old money, the bride wore a gown bought from a US retailer.

Celebrities are just like you and me. They need places to live, they buy houses, and…that’s pretty much where the similarities end.

When it comes to celebrities and real estate, they approach the home buying process differently than just about anyone else. From budgets and tastes to how they purchase properties, the process is far different than what most people go through.

4 Unique Insights Into How Celebrities Buy Real Estate

From actors and athletes to musicians and well-known entrepreneurs, the celebrities that we see on our TV screens have to find a way to spend the money they rake in. For many, expensive real estate and nice homes are where they start. And for some information on exactly how this process unfolds, we’ve gathered some insights that you may be interested in learning more about.

1.     Transactions are Confidential

Real estate transactions are considered public records. Anyone can run a search for someone’s name or a specific address and find out information related to property taxes, mortgages, and titles. As a celebrity looking to keep their information away from prying eyes, this isn’t exactly welcome news. So in order to circumvent this, they’ll generally establish a Limited Liability Company (LLC) or trust to purchase the house.

“They [celebrities] find someone to be a trustee, a lawyer or a business manager, and set up a trust called a blind trust,” says attorney Hugh Robertson. “The trust would be the owner of the property and the trustee would be someone that wouldn’t be easily connected to an individual.”

Jennifer Aniston, for example, purchased a penthouse in New York City in 2011 under the “Norman’s Nest Trust,” which was named after her believed terrier-corgi mix.

2.     Privacy is a Huge Concern

In addition to financial confidentiality, celebrities are also concerned about privacy and security on their properties. This is why they often choose communities that are gated.

“In order to get past it, you must possess some sort of access code,” explains Green Residential, a Houston-based property management company. “This keeps out unwanted visitors and intruders and gives homeowners inside the luxury of being able to relax at home without having to deal with lots of riffraff or nosy intruders.”

3.     Celebs Buy From Celebs

One of the more interesting phenomena in the high-end real estate market is how frequently celebrities buy from other celebrities. In fact, it’s not uncommon for one house to transfer to two or three different celebs within a decade. And it’s not because they’re in some super secret society where they’re obsessed with each other. In most cases, it comes down to the unique amenities that are found on these properties.

“Stars and other high-net-worth people have special real estate needs regular people don’t, needs probably already addressed in a home owned by a celebrity: high walls to act as looky-loo buffers, remote-control access and badass alarm systems are inviolable requirements,” one celebrity real estate blogger writes. “They need Kardashian-sized closets for all their swag and a home office to house their squadron of personal assistants.”

It’s also far less likely that a fellow celebrity will talk after a transaction is complete. A ‘regular’ seller, on the other hand, might be quick to spill the beans to friends (even if the transaction is completed as part of an LLC or trust).

4.     They’re Rarely Emotionally Attached

Celebrities have emotions like the rest of us, but they rarely get attached to their homes. While there are exceptions – Warren Buffet has famously lived in the same house in Omaha, Nebraska that he bought in 1958 for $ 31,000 – it’s not the norm.

Whereas the typical American lives in the same house for 13 years, celebrities like Jordan Spieth, Taylor Swift, and Kim Kardashian-West are just a few of the names who have all bought and sold homes within the same year.

Buying Like the Rich and Famous

It’s not just celebrities that use LLC’s, off-market listings, and other tricks to purchase real estate. Many wealthy citizens who aren’t even in the spotlight will also rely on these techniques. And if you end up striking it rich, maybe you will as well.