20 FEMALE CELEBRITIES FLEX THEIR BRAND SAVVY

THESE ENTREPRENEURS ARE THRIVING BEYOND HOLLYWOOD WITH LUCRATIVE EMPIRES

AS T R I P L E T H R E A T S and multihyphenates remain as synonymous with Hollywood as the Oscars, high-profile stars continue to look to business opportunities to stay a cut above. ¶ A-listers now have production companies of their own. Some thrive on brand partnerships, endorsement deals, hosting podcasts, narrating audiobooks and more. Now, celebrities increasingly are starting their own businesses outside Hollywood. Think beauty, home, food, spirits and clothing — no industry is out of bounds. ¶ Among the most lucrative celebrity brands in recent years are those created by women, including Rihanna, Reese Witherspoon, Kim Kardashian and Selena Gomez. From underwear empires to blossoming beauty brands, here are 20 female celebrities who have launched thriving multimillion- and multibillion-dollar businesses.

JESSICA ALBA The Honest Co.

Jessica Alba’s Honest Co. — on shelves at Target, Walmart, Whole Foods and CVS — is honestly hard to miss.

The “Honey” star co-founded the consumer goods company in 2011, drawing from her experience as a first-time mom. The company made its name by selling nontoxic diapers, and eventually branched out to household cleaning supplies, beauty products, vitamins and nursery furniture. By 2015, Forbes reported that Honest was worth $1 billion.

Along the way, Honest faced legal woes, with customers alleging some of the products contained synthetic ingredients — despite the brand’s organic image. The company denied the allegations and settled two class-action lawsuits tied to the false advertising claims in 2017.

More than a decade since its establishment, Honest has grown to include makeup and skincare products. In August, Honest announced it earned $85 million in revenue, up 8% from the second quarter of 2022.

DREW BARRYMORE Flower, Beautiful

Actor and daytime TV host Drew Barrymore has been in the business of celebrity brands for decades.

The “Never Been Kissed” and “50 First Dates” actor established her empire in 1995, co-founding production company Flower Films with business partner Nancy Juvonen at the age of 19. Then Flower branched out into other industries.

Nearly 30 years later, Barrymore has expanded her brand to makeup, hair tools, eyewear and home decor — and it’s paid off. In 2018, the “Drew Barrymore Show” host — who served as co-creative director for CoverGirl for seven years — reportedly made $50 million in annual retail sales with her Flower Beauty, a cosmetics line available at CVS and Ulta.

The Emmy-nominated talk show host, who was recently in the hot seat over her decision, later rescinded, to go back into production amid the since-settled writers’ strike, also cooked up a kitchenware line of her own. In 2021, Barrymore launched Beautiful in partnership with Made by Gather founder and Chief Executive Shae Hong.

BEYONCÉ Ivy Park

If anyone knows what it’s like to be “a female version of a hustla,” it’s pop diva and Ivy Park co-founder Beyoncé.

The “Run the World” singer’s clothing line is coming back for more. Shortly after the sold-out Renaissance world tour concluded, Ivy Park released its latest collaboration with Adidas.

Ivy Park was created in 2016 with a focus on activewear via a 50-50 venture with Topshop.

Two years later, the most awarded artist in Grammys history became the full owner of the brand, then brought her business to Adidas. This 2019 partnership resulted in bolder designs and millions in sales. In 2021, Ivy Park reportedly earned $93 million in revenue.

However, news broke in March that the singer and Adidas would part ways after revenue fell more than 50% in 2022, according to the Wall Street Journal. The latest drop may be Beyoncé’s Adidas swan song, but on Oct. 25, she unveiled a perfume, Cé Noir, which retails for $160.

BETHENNY FRANKEL Skinnygirl, BStrong, Forever Young

Bethenny Frankel didn’t need to win NBC’s “The Apprentice: Martha Stewart” in 2005 to become a successful businesswoman.

An original “Real Housewives of New York City” cast member, Frankel built a multimillion-dollar empire of her own beginning with her Skinnygirl Cocktails in 2009. Skinnygirl, as the name suggests, offers low-calorie products ranging from its signature premixed margarita to salad dressings.

In 2011, Skinnygirl Cocktails was acquired by Jim Beam whiskey giant Beam Inc. for an estimated $100 million. Beam leveled up the brand, adding wine and vodka to its lineup; Frankel maintained control over the Skinnygirl name.

By 2019, Frankel juggled Skinnygirl, “RHONY” and her BStrong disaster relief organization. In an episode of “RHONY,” Frankel said she was looking to lighten her load, including selling a part of Skinnygirl. Four years after the episode aired, it’s unclear whether Frankel