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Home · Entrepreneurship

14 Stars Who Have Successful Side Hustles

Side hustles aren't just for us! These celebrities successfully used their fame to gain more wealth and build an empire.

By Crystal Tate · April 1, 2016October 27, 2020
01
Dwyane Wade

NBA player Dwayne Wade’s new venture is taking him from the basketball court to the vineyard. He recently partnered with wine connoisseur Jayson Pahlmeyer to start his own wine label, Wade Cellars.

02
Rihanna

Rihanna has had various business ventures throughout her career, but her latest one is a beauty and styling agency named Fr8me. The agency will help artists land commercials, editorial shoots, and more. She also recently released a collection with Puma, and serves as the brand’s creative director.

03
Cynthia Bailey

Real Housewives of Atlanta reality star Cynthia Bailey first branched out into business with a modeling agency, and most recently, she launched her own eyewear line.

04
50 Cent

50 Cent has always had an entrepreneurial spirit. The rapper-turned-TV producer is behind the highly successful Starz show, “Power,” and he is now developing a new comedy show for Fox titled My Friend 50. He also has an endorsement deal with Effen Vodka.

05
Solange

Solange wants to be known for being more than a singer and Beyonce’s younger sister. She spins records as a DJ and she previously had a shoe collaboration with Puma.

06
Idris Elba

Idris Elba’s talents don’t stop at acting. The British actor is also a popular DJ in London.

07
Porsha Williams

Porsha Williams may be famous for being a cast member of The Real Housewives of Atlanta, but she also has a hair extensions collection with Go Naked and recently launched Naked Lingerie, a lingerie line.

08
Erykah Badu

Singer Erykah Badu may be more popular for her music, but she is also a certified doula and has helped birth dozens of babies.

09
Tracee Ellis Ross

Actress Tracee Ellis Ross is fierce both on and offscreen, so we’re definitely fans of her lifestyle website, TraceeEllisRoss.com, which offers her unique perspective on style, beauty, wellness and more.

10
Aretha Franklin

Patti LaBelle won’t be the only soul singer with a food line in supermarkets. Aretha Franklin recently announced that she’s creating a line of comfort foods, including gumbo and chili.

Noam Galai/WireImage
11
Kelly Rowland

Kelly Rowland may be looking for the next girl group in the new BET show, “Chasing Destiny,” but she’s also working on a new makeup line for women of color.

Ben Gabbe/Getty Images
12
Rick Ross

Rapper Rick Ross decided to invest in the restaurant industry after trying some tasty wings. He owns various Wingstop locations from Miami to most recently Harlem and Newman, GA.

Prince Williams/FilmMagic
13
Dr. Dre

Although Beats by Dre was initially a side business, Dr. Dre will likely go down as one of the most successful businessmen ever. The rap mogul sold his headphones line he created with Jimmy Iovine to Apple in 2014 for $3 billion.

Isaac Brekken/Getty Images for Beats by Dre
14
Wendy Williams

Wendy Williams is cashing checks from more than her daytime talk show. She also has a fashion collection with HSN and her own wig line.

Tim Boyles/Getty Images for HSN

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