Celebrities normally get their money from touring, movie releases, and sponsorship deals, but it’s not enough for some stars, who seek other sources of income.
These are the odd and amazing things you’d never expect the affluent and famous to undertake, from beekeepers to car wash proprietors and doulas.
Love Island star Alex George is said to earn £5,000 per day from his side hustle as a property investor, owning rental houses on the Pembrokeshire coast in West Wales when he isn’t saving lives in hospitals.
For a star who rose to popularity as a Love Island hottie, it’s a modest profession.
He’s not alone; many other celebrities have unusual investing firms and other hands-on occupations that will make you look at them differently…
Jason Derulo – car wash owner
After investing in a car wash business, the man who sings his own name definitely has a good head on his shoulders.
Jason Derulo is the proud co-owner of Rocket Car Wash, a monthly membership service that provides limitless washes.
‘I took a chance on it because its membership model reminded me of what Netflix and Uber did,’ Jason, 33, told the BBC in June 2023.
‘Usually I’d describe myself as an entertainer, but I feel like that has changed. I don’t think I could only say entertainer anymore. It’s business nowadays.’
The singer quipped that it’s his least’sexy’ investment, but he did remark it’s worth $2 billion (£1.52 billion), so he’s laughing all the way to the bank.
JLS’s JB Gill – farmer
When you’re a member of one of the UK’s top boy bands, giving up the glitz and glam for life on the farm may seem like an odd option.
JB Gill opted to become a farmer shortly after JLS split in 2013, and it rapidly proved to be a beneficial career shift.
He confessed in 2016 that he made £26,000 selling turkeys to gamblers throughout the Christmas season. He confessed to the Mirror that he sold over 200 turkeys throughout December for between £70 and £130 each.
And farmer JB, 36, is still enjoying life on the greener side.
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Erykah Badu – a doula
Erykah Badu, the neo-soul star, is hard at work helping moms bring their infants into the world when she isn’t crooning on stage.
Yes, Erykah Badu, 52, is a genuine midwife who announced in 2019 that she has previously delivered 40 babies.
A doula is there at the birth to guide and support the woman during her labour.
Teyana Taylor hired Erykah to deliver her second daughter in 2020, and Summer Walker used Erkyah’s doula skills when she brought twins earlier in 2023.
Congrats to Summer Walker on her set of twins and Erykah Badu as her doula ❤️ pic.twitter.com/h5oV5IhPfy
— Blanco Tarantino TV, LLC (@BlancoTarantino) December 31, 2022
Blur’s Alex James – cheese maker
Alex James, 54, is most known for his work as Blur’s bassist, but he also has another corny career on the side.
No, the dude literally sells cheese.
The singer found a new home in the Cotswolds for his cheese-farming company in the early 2000s, and it’s been doing strong ever since.
In reality, in July 2023, it was announced that Alex’s cheese will be marketed solely in Morrisons.
Sharing his pride about the partnership, the singer said in a statement at the time: ‘Blue Monday is a world-beating British cheese, made with love by the wonderful team at Shepherds Purse.
‘It pairs brilliantly with sparkling wine, beer or cider. Smush it on a Frazzle for the ultimate canapé. It goes well with pears, beetroot, cobnuts and even honey and is perfect for sweet dreams at bedtime.’
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Willie Nelson – biofuel manufacturer
Willie Nelson is well-known for more than just his music and marijuana use.
The 90-year-old American artist owned a biofuel firm to assist reduce the United States’ dependency on foreign fuel sources.
‘There is no reason to go about launching conflicts for oil. We have it in our house. ‘We have the required stuff, and the farmers can cultivate it,’ he explained.
He had two facilities in Texas and Oregon, as well as a service station on the Hawaiian island of Maui, where he lived.
No one could predict what his pride and delight was called: BioWillie.
Frankie Muniz – professional racecar driver
Millennials may remember him best from Malcolm in the Middle, but Frankie Muniz is now appealing to a whole new audience.
The 37-year-old actor is now a professional racer who races in the ARCA Series, one of NASCAR’s lowest tiers.
Growing up in Charlotte, North Carolina, Frankie was always captivated with racing and attended the Daytona 500.
In 2006, he competed in 14 races in the Formula BMW USA series before moving up to the Champ Car Atlantic Series the following year. He raced until 2009, when a mishap left him with injuries that forced him to retire.
He made a return in 2021, though, and is still racing today.
Flea – beekeeper
Given his stage moniker, Flea, it’s hardly surprise that the Red Hot Chilli Peppers frontman enjoys the insect world.
In 2015, the 60-year-old artist disclosed that he had three beehives at home, each with over 60,000 bees, and kept followers updated on his hives via social media.
Flea is an outspoken environmentalist who became interested in beekeeping after learning about colony collapse disorder, which occurs when the majority of worker bees in a honey bee colony disappear, leaving behind a queen, plenty of food, and a few nurse bees to care for the remaining immature bees.