It is no joke to succeed in any startup project. The work involved in it is such that it is not exactly for the faint-hearted and this is not to mention the required funding to push the project into full realization. It is a good thing that there are funding platforms now existing that could address this concern. Kickstarter is one such platform.

The platform does not only provide funding but also follow through options that will ensure better opportunities for commercial success to successfully funded and completed projects. A Kickstarter Store helps expose the final products to the public who can buy Kickstarter products of their choice. This advantage is not lost even among celebrities thus the great interest of some to participate in the crowdfunding platform to finance their own ventures.

Business-Savvy Celebrities

Whether through self-funding or external funding, there are many celebrities who have shown that they have what it takes to succeed in business as well. Star power is certainly an advantage. With the many failed celebrity-started businesses however, it is evident that it is not enough. Here are some celebrities who succeeded in their business start-up efforts:

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Venus Williams

Anyone who comes across Williams Interior Design Inc. would not have Venue Williams as the likely person behind it but she is. It would be easier to associate her with a business related to her sport or even fashionable sports wear. This just shows that there are unknown personality facets in every person which would result to decisions that are totally unexpected.

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Raquel Welch

When Raquel Welch ventured into the wig business, it just seemed natural and expected. For a woman who has capitalized on her natural beauty and hair to gain stardom, going into a business related to beauty is just but fitting.

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Paul Newman

No other celebrity has come close to establishing a food company giant like Paul Newman. Starting out with a homemade salad dressing, Newman catapulted the brand into the consumers’ consciousness. Co-founded with A.E. Hotchner, the food company and not-for-profit corporation continues to give all profits to charity even after the actor’s death.

This one proves how one simple startup idea can create vast opportunities for employment and greater things like helping other people through charity. In startup projects proposed through Kickstarter , creators are able to develop their products through financial backers. Wouldn’t it be great if some of these projects end up helping humanity as a whole? Help begets help.

Several Hollywood celebrities have been enjoying cigar-smoking for some time now when they are in their relaxation mode. While some are move visible with their cigars in public, some are not quite so. Still, almost all of them acknowledge their love for good cigar.

Arnold Schwarzenegger

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Whether it is to reprise a role in a movie or to be simply himself, Arnold Schwarzenegger has never hidden his preference for a good cigar smoke. He fits the usual image of a cigar-smoking man because of his built, his popular action movie roles, and a man who has reached a certain level of affluence. Even when he signed a law as governor that prohibits smoking in common-use areas, he purposely had a smoking tent made outside his office so he can continue chomping on his cigars with the advantage of exemption.

Jack Nicholson

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A smoker since he was a kid, Jack Nicholson tried to stop the habit when he got married in 1962. He successfully did so for about 10 years until he had to play the role of a cigar-smoking petty officer. He never stopped since he figured that the only way to stop the bad habit of cigarette smoking was to replace it with the better habit of cigar smoking. Cigar smoking is said to calm him especially when playing golf.

Sylvester Stallone

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Sylvester Stallone prefers to smoke his cigars in private thus he is rarely seen brandishing his habit in public. Having been a cigarette smoker since 12, he tried to go easy on it. A movie role that he thought would perfectly jive with cigar-smoking sort of introduced him to cigars. He quit cigarette smoking and cleared out his lungs for about three years. After which, he resumed cigar smoking “intelligently” , which is his term for connoisseur smoking.

Demi Moore

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Probably the only highly publicized pictures that can be found of Demi Moore smoking cigars are those for magazine covers or article. She however does not deny her “romance” with smaller cigars. She considers cigar smoking as a great social activity.

Jennifer Lopez

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Jennifer Lopez does not hide her smoking habit whether it is cigarettes or cigars. That is if we judge this by the number of photos available that show her smoking not because of any movie role. She has been quoted many times though to have said that she doesn’t smoke.

About the Author:

Jason Rose is a professional blogger that provides the latest news on premium tobacco products. He writes for Gotham Cigars, a leading retailer of cigars online.

It is not only ordinary mortals like us who are going gaga over our smartphones. In fact, many celebrities wouldn’t be caught without theirs.  Smartphones have become an indispensable part of daily life for many. Let us check who among the famous celebrities are practically inseparable from theirs.

Barack Obama

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The President of the United States, Barack Obama, reportedly refused to give up his Blackberry to the great dismay of his security advisers. He is said to be the first American President  to use email while serving his high profile position. It is expected though that security measures have been doubled many times over to ensure that his safety is not compromised because of his decision not to part with this smartphone.

Justin Bieber

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You have to have been hiding in a hole not to know that Justin Bieber absolutely loves his iPhone 5 by his side at every possible time. Whether it is to take some selfies or to take some shots of the event where he’s at, his smartphone looks every inch like a mainstay in his person. Add to that the constant need of young people (okay even older ones) to stay perpetually connected.

Rihanna

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Rihanna is not exactly known to be  loyal to a specific brand but she usually has a smartphone in her at any given time. Whether she gets paid to promote them or not like many other celebrities is beside the point. She certainly has a unique way of going about it. Remember her “Rihannified” One X+ which has her initial on it?

Paris Hilton

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Pictures of Paris Hilton holding a smartphone are so many, one is tempted to ask if the device is part of her usually fashionable persona. Holding the latest technological devices has now become part of fashion statements nowadays that many fans are taking their cue from celebrities. Many are considered fashion accessories if we are to consider the efforts of phone manufacturers to cater to design-conscious consumers.

Tom Cruise

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Tom Cruise will always have something to remember Katie Holmes and the iPhone by with this photo, although not necessarily in the same context. One thing is clear though, celebrities are using their smartphones to create memories like most of us do. Smartphones have certainly made themselves indispensable to many.

About the Author:

Sara Wells is a travel writer who blogs on behalf of car rental insurance brand Protectyourbubble.com

Many Hollywood celebrities are able to speak foreign languages and the public is usually not aware of this. Blame it on the fact that these celebrities are usually seen in English-language films and shows. But whether by reason of country and ancestral origin or by purposeful efforts such as learning Thai,French, or any other foreign language, it is a fact that there are many Hollywood celebrities who can carry themselves in confidence with not only one but two or more foreign languages.

Jodie Foster

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Born Alicia Christian Foster, Jodie is an American actress, film director, and producer. She went to a French-language prep school and spent a considerable amount of time in France . As a result, she became very fluent in speaking French. She can also converse in Italian and understand German and Spanish.

Natalie Portman

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Born Natalie Hershlag to a Jewish father and American mother, Natalie holds dual citizenship as an American and Israeli.  She is said to have shared her thoughts of Jerusalem as her home even while professing love for America. By default then, it is expected that she knows how to speak Hebrew which she does. In addition to that however, she can also speak French, German, Japanese, and Arabic. Such an interesting mix of foreign languages to know.

Charlize Theron

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Charlize Theron is a South African and American actress. She was born in South Africa and has a long line of ancestors who were of French, Dutch , and German origins. She is quite fluent in English but Arfikaans remains to be her original language. She is a naturalized citizen of the US although she chose to retain her South African citizenship.

Arnold Schwarzenegger

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Although Arnold’s surname is a dead giveaway of his foreign descent, the public tend to forget this because of his wide exposure in English speaking films and American politics. He was born in Austria and even served in the Austrian army to fulfill the one year service requirement. He spoke very little English when he moved to America but eventually overcame his thick Austrian accent to become one of the most popular action stars in Hollywood. He continues to speak fluent Austrian though.

Like any other regular person, Hollywood celebrities learn to speak foreign languages by virtue of their origins or education. There is no magic formula around it. If someone would like to learn Thai for example,it is either he or she will live for sometime in Thailand or study Thai in school or any other means.

Women rule the world, at least in Hollywood they do.

According to Forbes 2013 List of the Most Powerful Celebrities (released last June) and List of Top-Earning Celebs (released just a few days ago), Oprah and Madonna are biggest celebs in Hollywood right now.

Photo Credit: Spooky English Public Relations

Oprah, who’s a regular at the Forbes list both as a top-earner and her power player, has lost her place before but has now laid claim to her throne once again. Though her earnings went down drastically this year, from $165 million to $77 million, it has not affected her influence as she continues to be mentioned in the press and social media. Aside from her undiminished power and fame, Oprah’s revenue dip has not affected her purchasing power. Sure, she claims that the $38,ooo crocodile bag that sparked much controversy is too expensive for her taste, but she’s willing to spend millions on something she values – her home. In fact, she’s had home renovations done on her already super expensive house, increasing the value from $50 million to a whopping $85 million. And because of that, she now lays claim to yet another record, being the Hollywood celebrity with the priciest home.

Continue reading »

Hollywood is home to talented stars, not-so talented celebs, and scandalous ones. In a place where short marriages, drug-overdose, cat-fights, stalkers, paparazzi, and sex scandals abound, it is no wonder that the life of celebrities are just as talked about as their latest projects. And if you’re into reality and gossip shows, “just as talked about” doesn’t cut it, because it’s the personality and their scandalous acts that you are definitely more interested in.

 Celebrity Misfortune Wallpaper by Rauch Dickson

Unfortunately, behind each sensational story is a real human being with real people surrounding them. What this means is that whether the stories about them that circulate are true or not, they have an effect of these people, and worse unwitting and unwilling loved ones (e.g. their kids). It wouldn’t be too bad if people weren’t so quick to judge and weren’t too vocal about their “informed” opinions, but then again we know how the misinformed are most eager to declare their beliefs and stand firm despite lack of evidence. Despite press releases from a celebrity’s camp and even decisions handed down by the court, rumors have a way of staying alive. Worse, the nastier a rumor is, the more it persists.

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Often, we look to celebrities to set a standard for things like fashion and beauty and what the latest trends are. There’s a good chance you’ve looked to certain celebrities when deciding what shoes or clothes to buy; or maybe an actor or musician has influenced a larger purchase like a car.

We all like to think about what we would buy if we didn’t have to worry about money. Celebrities are here to show you exactly what money like theirs can buy, and they often set the bar pretty high for everyone else. Here’s a few things we can learn from celebrities and their cars. Continue reading »

The guilty pleasure of a celebrity magazine while getting a pedicure is a delicious moment in the week of many women. Photos that highlight how celebrities are just like us? Lap it up.

The opposite is also true, as the popularity of Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous proved. Thanks to astronomical paychecks, celebrities fund lifestyles that include a fabulous closet, unreal vacations, and stunning homes. Just like the average Joe, celebrities buy real estate. Unlike the average Joe, their homes’ price tags have a lot of zeroes.

Curious to know who has the swankiest abodes in the country? From coast to coast, here are ten of the most expensive celebrity homes in the country.

1. Oprah!

No surprise here! This powerhouse continues to be named one of the most powerful and influential women in the world. Giving up her daily talk show hasn’t changed that. WIth money being no hurdle, Oprah not only has a Chicago penthouse among her properties, she added a $50 million mansion to her real estate portfolio in 2001.

When it “didn’t feel like home,” renovations were done — which increased the value to $85 million. Continue reading »

Celebrities are just like everybody else. They like to get away from their day-to-day routines and take a vacation every now and then. Of course, they can afford to travel to some of the most beautiful and exotic locations in the world.

The biggest problem they typically face is deciding where to travel, not in determining whether they can afford to go there. Where do celebrities tend to travel? Here are some of their favorite destinations. Continue reading »

Many of us are familiar in how celebrities manage to escape the eagle eyes of the public and still manage to enjoy episodes or privacy in their lives. They are termed episodes because they rarely last long enough to be called a period on their life. Even if eventually found out by adoring fans and snooping reporters, they can at least claimed to have gotten away even for just a while. It is of note though that many believe that celebrities who live the Hollywood life are not entitled to privacy.

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Wearing a Disguise

Celebrities have done it all, from wearing wigs to wearing clothes the public wouldn’t expect them to wear. Some even manage to disguise themselves by actually going out in public sans makeup and all the celebrity glitz associated with them. Several have managed to become so ordinary looking that no one bothered to give them a second look. A number of celebrities who covered up their faces ended up being more noticeable.

Hiring a Double

Some celebrities have reached the extremes of their quest for privacy that they decided to hire doubles to confuse the public so they can go on their way without being disturbed. Not a few reporters and fans have been “victimized” by this style of hiding. This is probably one of the costliest privacy protection option since it would require the services of another person for a certain period of time.

Going to a Private Hideaway

Celebrities for all their worth can afford to buy or rent the most remote but magnificent places to relax in. There is determined effort to hide the location of these places since invasion of privacy will surely come. The media however has uncanny abilities to discover these secret places which is largely responsible for many embarrassing photos of celebrities.

Staying Put at Home

Many celebrities have chosen to stay put in their homes rather than brave going out in public. Reclusion has become the mark of many established stars who can afford not to work anymore and live off the great wealth they have managed to accumulate. It isn’t really so bad considering the fact that celebrities have many homes to speak of.

Minimal Interviews

Stars try to protect their privacy by granting very minimal interviews. They know that the less they reveal of themselves, the more they can protect their privacy. The wise celebrities only allow themselves to be interviewed for a specific purpose such as a soon-to-be-shown movie thus effectively limiting the topic to the movie.