Gen Z's Favorite Celeb Entrepreneurs Killing the Game

From Red Carpets to Boardrooms: Celebs Who Crushed the Entrepreneur Game

There’s something kinda iconic about watching your favorite celeb not just drop a hit album or star in a blockbuster but also launch a brand that actually slaps. Gen Z isn’t just about hype. We crave authenticity, hustle, and innovation. And some of these celebs? They’ve built empires that are more than just a side hustle. They’re changing the game.

We're talking beauty brands, fashion lines, tequila empires, mental health platforms, and tech startups. Yeah, they’ve got the fame, but they’ve also got the vision. So here’s a deep dive into celebrities who didn’t stop at stardom. They flipped the script and became legit moguls.

Rihanna: Bad Gal Billionaire

Okay, let’s start with the queen herself, Rihanna. She didn’t just make music. She made moves.

When she launched Fenty Beauty in 2017, she didn’t just enter the beauty space. She revolutionized it. A 40-shade foundation range? That was practically unheard of in mainstream beauty at the time. Suddenly, brands were scrambling to catch up.

Rihanna also co-founded Savage X Fenty, giving us size-inclusive lingerie that actually makes you feel sexy no matter your body type. Her shows? A whole experience. Diverse models, fire choreography, and no boring runway nonsense.

Personal take: I remember watching the first Savage X Fenty show and legit tearing up. It was one of the first times I saw real bodies on stage looking stunning AF.

Now, she’s a billionaire. And she did it mostly without dropping a new album in YEARS. That’s power.

Selena Gomez: From Disney Darling to Mental Health CEO

Selena Gomez has always felt like one of us. Real, vulnerable, and not afraid to speak her truth. So when she launched Rare Beauty, it hit differently.

It wasn’t just about blush and highlighter (though, yes, the blush is that good). The brand’s entire mission is about breaking down beauty standards and supporting mental health. Through the Rare Impact Fund, Selena’s company has committed to raising $100 million for mental health services. Like, that’s beyond brand-building. That’s world-changing.

Oh, and she also co-founded Wondermind, a mental fitness platform dedicated to emotional well-being. If that’s not the most Gen Z energy ever, I don’t know what is.

Kim Kardashian: Reality TV Royalty Turned Business Boss

Love her or hate her, Kim Kardashian is that businesswoman. She turned a reality show gig into a literal empire, and no one can deny the glow-up.

Her shapewear line, SKIMS, is valued at over $4 billion. It’s praised for being size-inclusive, minimal, and actually comfortable. Even folks who don’t vibe with the Kardashian aesthetic admit the product works.

Then she launched SKKN by Kim, diving into skincare and bringing high-end packaging and ingredients. Plus, she passed the "baby bar" and is working toward becoming a lawyer.

Gen Z's verdict? Say what you want, but she’s got that CEO mindset on lock.

Ashton Kutcher: The Tech Investor We Didn't See Coming

Yup. Kelso from That ’70s Show is low-key one of the most successful tech investors in Hollywood.

Ashton co-founded A-Grade Investments, which backed companies like Airbnb, Uber, Spotify, and Warby Parker. That’s a portfolio any Silicon Valley bro would drool over. He’s also super passionate about impact, co-founding Thorn, a tech nonprofit fighting child exploitation online.

I mean… who would’ve thought the goofy guy from Dude, Where’s My Car? would be giving TED Talks and investing in billion-dollar startups?

Jessica Alba: From Action Hero to Honest Empire

Jessica Alba went from slaying roles in Fantastic Four to founding The Honest Company, which sells eco-friendly baby products, beauty items, and household goods. It was born out of her frustration as a mom struggling to find safe products for her kids.

In 2021, The Honest Company went public and was valued at nearly $2 billion. It was a total “mom boss” move, and honestly, so inspiring for anyone who wants to build something meaningful from a personal mission.

Hailey Bieber: The Skin Queen Behind Rhode

Say what you want about the nepo baby debate, but Hailey Bieber did the thing with Rhode.

The skincare brand launched in 2022 and immediately broke the internet. Products sold out within hours. She kept it clean, minimal, and effective. Even skincare junkies who usually side-eye celeb brands gave it a thumbs-up.

Rhode also tapped into that Gen Z aesthetic perfectly. Muted tones, glossy everything, and a heavy TikTok presence. Hailey turned her it-girl status into a brand that feels current, not cash-grabby.

Jay-Z: Rapper to Roc Nation Mogul

Jay-Z is the blueprint for turning art into assets. His ventures include:

• Roc Nation: A full-service entertainment company representing artists like Rihanna and J. Cole
• Armand de Brignac (Ace of Spades): His luxe champagne brand
• TIDAL: A music streaming platform focused on artist ownership and high-fidelity sound

Jay’s not just in it for the bag. He’s about ownership. And that’s what Gen Z is all about too. Creative control, equity, and building something bigger than a brand.

Gwyneth Paltrow: The Goop Queen

Okay, yes. Goop is… a lot. But you have to respect Gwyneth Paltrow’s entrepreneurial grind.

She started Goop as a newsletter and turned it into a multi-million-dollar wellness company. There’s skincare, supplements, weird candles (you know the one), and even a Netflix show.

It’s niche, sometimes ridiculous, but it’s also undeniably successful.

My hot take? Goop feels like a cult, but the marketing is genius.

Stay inspired by the hustle behind the glam with more celeb and entrepreneur stories at Woke Waves Magazine.

#RihannaFenty #SelenaGomezRareBeauty #KimKardashianSKIMS #CelebrityEntrepreneurs #GenZBusinessIcons

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