When celebrities are struggling to get roles or sell albums, it’s not uncommon for them take on odd endorsement jobs. Even some of the biggest names in Hollywood or sports have lent their names to questionable brands. Here are our top eight weird celebrity endorsements:
1. The iconic rock group, KISS, known for their costumes and showmanship, found several ways to continue making money after their popularity faded. More than 30 year after the band’s prime, there is still a myriad of KISS-promoted merchandise selling at big retail stores like WalMart. For example, the band’s name can be found on “Hotter Than Hell” hot sauce as well as a variety of coffins.
2. P Diddy is one of the many celebrities to have spoken out for Proactiv Acne Solution, but it’s hard to understand why P Diddy would endorse a zit medicine. After creating a multi-million-dollar industry around Bad Boy Entertainment, with recordings by artists like The Notorious B.I.G., it’s not like the rapper is in need of the money. One would assume that P Diddy’s endorsement wouldn’t exactly boost his image or “street cred” either. Is it possible that P Diddy actually has a problem with pimples and felt it was his duty to advocate a product that truly helped?
3. Chef Rick Bayless has made a name for himself through his authentic, traditional Mexican recipes. He is the host of the critically-acclaimed PBS series “Mexico: One Plate at a Time” as well as an author of several popular Mexican cuisine cook books. In his show, Bayless consistently promoted the use of natural foods, as opposed to packaged and processed foods – which is why regular viewers and fans were quick to question his decision to advocate the Burger King brand. Bayless defended his choice by explaining that he felt the brand’s new 350-calorie chicken sandwich was a “step in the right direction” for the burger company. The chef also donated the money he earned from the commercials to Illinois family farms.
4. During the 2011 Super Bowl, Kim Kardashian endorsed Skechers Shape-Ups in a risqué ad that hinted at her previously leaked sex tape. While this was certainly a unique way to sell athletic shoes, the audience had a hard time believing Kim would ever allow herself to be caught wearing Skechers’ ugly sneakers. And unfortunately for the people who did buy into the ad, the shoes didn’t produce the results they were looking for. Skechers’ unfounded claims ended up costing the company $40 million in a settlement with U.S. regulators.
5. The Olsen twins may have looked cute in their ad for the Got Milk campaign, but shortly after it was printed, Mary-Kate was in the news for checking into a treatment program for an eating disorder.
6. Chanel has always been picky in their choices of celebrity spokeswomen. So, it was a real shocker when the brand announced Brad Pitt as Chanel No. 5’s first ever male to be featured in an advertisement. However, after all the hype and the £4million paycheck, many felt that Pitt just created “great unfulfilled expectations” with his bizarre ad.
7. Justin Timberlake recently appeared in a sexy ad for Bud Light Platinum. So, what’s the problem? Nobody would ever believe Justin Timberlake would order Bud Light while out with Jessica Biel or clubbin’. In fact, he doesn’t even drink it in the ad itself.
8. Since its debut, many have spoken out in confusion over Paramount Farms’ Pistachios’ collaboration with Snoop Dogg. Pistachios just don’t seem like the edgy type of product most rappers would get behind. However, the “not-safe-for-network-tv” ad’s overt drug references as well as the campaign’s other spokespeople (the honey badger, Snooki, and Khloe Kardashian) make it obvious that the brand is desperately trying to resonate with a younger audience.
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