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Alongside their main jobs of singing, acting or appearing on reality TV, many celebrities are also banking thousands appearing in adverts.
And some are pickier than others it would appear as many have chosen to star in some questionable promotions to bolster their careers and bank accounts.
From JLS’ brand deal with Durex and Paris Hilton’s Lidl advert to Cheryl and Ashley Cole’s iconic National Lottery promo – a fair few have raised eyebrows over the years.
So here MailOnline takes a look at the most weird and wonderful celebrity collaborations of all time:
JLS – Durex
In 2010 boy band JLS launched a new condom range with Durex – raising eyebrows among their fans.
Aston Merrygold, Marvin Humes, Oritsé Williams and JB Gill posed for photographs as they released the range, called Just Love Safe, which they hoped would encourage people to have safe sex.
And not only did the four different packs of extra safe condoms feature each band member’s individual colour, they also were branded with the boys’ faces.
Marvin, who is now married to The Saturdays star Rochelle Humes, added: ‘We came up with the idea of Just Love Safe as we wanted to send a clear message out to fans that are over 16 and sexually active – and that is to always use a condom during sex.’
But the boys realised that launching such a range might lead to some unwelcome attention from over-eager female fans.
In 2010 boy band JLS launched a new condom range with Durex – raising eyebrows among their fans
Aston Merrygold, Marvin Humes, Oritsé Williams and JB Gill posed for photographs as they released the range, called Just Love Safe
Marvin laughed: ‘We used to get underwear thrown at us on stage, now we expect flying condom boxes! But it’s important to put your love in a glove.’
Speaking earlier that year, Aston first set the ball rolling for the condom range, explaining: ‘It’s all about staying safe. We all think so.
‘My mum sends me down a stash of condoms and I dish them out to the lads so none of us have to worry. I’d really be up for doing some kind of campaign about safe sex.’
The boys, who shot to fame appearing on The X Factor in 2008, also encouraged the show’s judges Simon Cowell and Cheryl Cole to get involved in their safe sex campaign at the time.
JB said: ‘We absolutely encourage anybody that wants to help promote this message, so if Cheryl wants to come along and help promote this message… Or Simon. The more the merrier!
‘Mr Simon Cowell, we’re here promoting safe sex, just love safe, join forces with us… give us a call today!’
Simon Blake, director of sexual health charity Brook, said at the time: ‘It is brilliant that JLS, role models for millions of young men and women, have teamed up with condom giant Durex to promote responsible and safe attitudes to sexual health.
And not only did the four different packs of extra safe condoms feature each band member’s individual colour, they also were branded with the boys’ faces
‘Young people tell us time and time again that pop stars influence them.’
Martyn Ward, managing director of Durex in the UK, added: ‘We applaud JLS for taking the responsible step of setting up a charity which will benefit good causes in the UK.
‘It is very responsible of JLS to put their name to a range of condoms – and we were delighted that they partnered with Durex to do so.’
The JLS condom range was sold to over-16’s only in chemists and grocery stores across the UK.
Paris Hilton – Lidl
Back in 2016 Paris Hilton’s fans were left in shock to find out she was collaborating with budget supermarket Lidl.
The socialite, 44, brought out a beauty line with the company, announcing the news on Twitter with a slick promo video.
The range included pink hairdryers, straighteners, curlers and brushes and followed a similar collection by pop star Britney Spears in 2013.
Back in 2016 Paris Hilton’s fans were left in shock to find out she was collaborating with budget supermarket Lidl
The socialite, 44, brought out a beauty line with the company, announcing the news on Twitter with a slick promo video
The range included pink hairdryers, straighteners, curlers and brushes and followed a similar collection by pop star Britney Spears in 2013
‘OMG, I thought this was a joke? Lol,’ said one fan on Twitter as they reacted to the news.
Another penned: ‘it’s so real and i’m about to buy it all.’
Much of Hilton’s wealth comes from numerous endorsements, as well as her retail business, which includes numerous product lines and stores, and has generated sales of over US$4 billion.
Her regular fees for both DJing and personal appearances in parties and events have been reported to be between US$250,000 and US$1 million.
Lady Gaga – Oreos
Over the years, Oreo has put out dozens of flavors, from pistachio to cinnamon bun to fruit punch — and in 2020 they released a Lady Gaga variety.
Of course, the Oreos aren’t actually Lady Gaga-flavored, but rather Gaga-themed, with pink-colored Golden Oreo cookies and a green-colored cream in the middle.
In addition to bright, colorful packaging to do the Born This Way singer proud, the cookies were also embossed with three designs inspired by Gaga’s album, Chromatica.
‘This collab is inspired by the world of Chromatica, where kindness rules all things,’ the star in a media statement at the time.
‘I love these pink cookies with green creme, and hope they brighten your day as much as they do mine!’
Over the years, Oreo has put out dozens of flavors, from pistachio to cinnamon bun to fruit punch — and in 2020 they released a Lady Gaga variety
Of course, the Oreos aren’t Lady Gaga-flavored, but rather Gaga-themed, with pink-colored Golden Oreo cookies and a green-colored cream in the middle (Gaga pictured this month)
To celebrate the announcement, Lady Gaga took to Twitter today to share a video of herself showing off the cookies in bed
Images of the cookies showed hot pink packaging with LADY GAGA written in silver across the front.
The cookie designs featured the Chromatica logo, a heart, and an image of Gaga herself in sky-high heels and an elaborate costume.
To celebrate the announcement, Lady Gaga took to Twitter and Instagram to share a video of herself showing off the cookies in bed.
Fans freaked out about the release, with designer Nicola Formichetti, DJ Samantha Ronson, and YouTuber Tyler Oakley commenting on her post.
‘OMG! So need this!’ wrote one fan.
‘So excited for you!!! AND US!!!’ wrote another.
Kim Kardashian – Charmin
In 2010 Kim raised eyebrows when she showed up in New York’s Times Square to cut the ribbon on a new toilet facility.
At the very beginning of her fame it appeared she would accept any job in order for more publicity.
While it may not have been her most glamorous endorsement, she was still dressed to impress in a form-fitting grey tweed dress and black high heels.
In 2010 Kim raised eyebrows when she showed up in New York’s Times Square to cut the ribbon on a new toilet facility
At the very beginning of her fame it appeared she would accept any job in order for more publicity
While it may not have been her most glamorous endorsement, she was still dressed to impress in a form-fitting grey tweed dress and black high heels
It was the fifth year toilet paper brand Charmin opened a special services to serve the extra Christmas shoppers in the city
It was the fifth year toilet paper brand Charmin opened a special services to serve the extra Christmas shoppers in the city.
The then 30-year-old also posed happily between two fluffy mascots before pretending to open the do
or to the bathroom with a giant plastic key.
Kim has gone on to have stratospheric success with various businesses including her shapewear brand Skims.
She also still appears on her rebranded Disney reality show The Kardashians with all her sisters.
Cheryl and Ashley Cole – The National Lottery
Ashley Cole and his then wife Cheryl Cole starred in an advert for the National Lottery draw back in 2006.
Cheryl wore an iconic white ruffled dress as she posed next to matching Ashley in front of a Bentley.
They held hands as Cheryl posed with her fingers crossed for the ad.
Years later in 2013 a top Premier League footballer reportedly scooped more than £125,000 on the Lottery – but wanted to keep it a secret.
Ashley Cole and his then wife Cheryl Cole starred in an advert for the draw back in 2006
Cheryl wore an iconic white ruffled dress as she posed next to matching Ashley in front of a Bentley. They held hands as Cheryl posed with her fingers crossed for the ad
The player, who was said to be a household name who played for a top club at the time, won the six figure sum before Christmas according to Goal.com.
It was no doubt a drop in the ocean compared to his top flight salary.
The footballer guaranteed his anonymity thanks to a non-publicity clause offered to all winners by the National Lottery.
Ten people each won £125,942 in the December 22 draw.
A National Lottery spokesman said at the time that it would be unable to provide any details for the winner.
He said: ‘Unless a winner chooses to take publicity then no details are released.
‘We are therefore unable to confirm or deny any winner rumours.’
David Beckham – Fish fingers
In 2008 David Beckham was busy promoting a new healthy food range – including fish fingers.
Clutching a plate full of fish fingers, the LA Galaxy player waxed lyrical about the importance of healthy eating as he launched the GO3 range at Wembley.
The sports ace was joined by 250 children, who had been let out of school for a few hours, for the high-profile launch at the north west London stadium.
Beckham lent his face and signature to the brand, which was made by Findus – who had a partnership deal with the English FA – and also included pasta, wraps and omelettes.
He said at the time: ‘As a Dad I know how hard it is to get kids to eat the right things.
‘I also know as a footballer, how important it is to eat the right things to perform well, so I think the GO3 range is a great way to help families take some small steps to be fit and healthy at affordable prices.’
In 2008 David Beckham was busy promoting a new healthy food range – including fish fingers
Clutching a plate full of fish fingers, the LA Galaxy player waxed lyrical about the importance of healthy eating as he launched the GO3 range at Wembley
The Kardashians – Dorothy Perkins
In 2012 the Kardashian sisters joined forces with UK high street staple Dorothy Perkins, just in time for the Christmas party season.
The sisters injected their style in to over 100 pieces for the store including sequined clutch bags, blinging tops and – of course – killer party dresses.
Commenting on the partnership, a spokesman for Dorothy Perkins said: ‘This was an opportunity we couldn’t miss.
In 2012 the Kardashian sisters joined forces with UK high street staple Dorothy Perkins, just in time for the Christmas party season
‘This was an opportunity we couldn’t miss. Knowing how popular they are and the huge interest they attract, it enables our customer to buy in to their lifestyle and emulate their look at a great price.’
The sisters owned their own Dash clothing stores back in America at the time which featured on their reality show Keeping Up With The Kardashians.
Britney Spears – Suki Candy
In 1999 pop sensation Britney Spears starred in a Japanese commercial for sweet brand Suki Candy.
It was the same year after her popular hit Baby One More Time had been released and there was a huge amount of media attention on her.
Many brands were wanting to work with her as she became the biggest pop star on the planet.
Popular with youngsters and teenagers, UHA Mikakuto cast Britney as the face of their new gummy candy.
In the ad, Britney and her team travel on a CGI private jet, dashing between arena concerts and brand jobs.
Her Japanese one-liner vaguely translates to: ‘konjak gummies make my stomach better’.
In 1999 pop sensation Britney Spears starred in a Japanese commercial for sweet brand Suki Candy
It was the same year after her popular hit Baby One More Time had been released and there was a huge amount of media attention on her
Julia Roberts – Lavazza
In 2010 Julia was cast as Venus in an Italian commercial for Lavazza coffee.
In it, a cup of Lavazza makes her smile so that a painter can finish his painting of her.
She appeared in the campaign the 45-second advertisement for the hefty fee of £1.14 million.
The actress appeared in the heavenly advertisement, screened over the Christmas period in Italy, as Botticelli’s Venus in a setting in the clouds.
In 2010 Julia was cast as Venus in an Italian commercial for Lavazza coffee
In it, a cup of Lavazza makes her smile so that a painter can finish his painting of her
The scene opens with the painter at his wits end as his difficult muse refuses to smile for him as he attempts to create his masterpiece, Spring Allegory.
The ad also features two famous Italian entertainers, Paolo Bonolis and Luca Laurenti who offer the star some of Lavazza’s A Modo Mio coffee.
After sipping the coffee, Julia breaks into her trademark toothy grin as the men rejoice around her and Botticelli excitedly gets to work to capture her smile.
The brief advertisement ends with Roberts winking at the camera.
Kim Cattrall – Nintendo
In 2012 Sex and the City icon Kim, 68, went viral for appearing in an ad for Nintendo
She put on a cheeky display in the ad in which she professed her love for the game
In 2012 Sex and the City icon Kim, 68, went viral for appearing in an ad for Nintendo.
She put on a cheeky display in the ad in which she professed her love for the game.
She quipped in the video: ‘There are many men in my life, but for a few minutes, or a few hours, I’ll always find time for Mario.’
Kim is best known for playing the part of Samantha in the hit show and films which also stars Sarah Jessica Parker, Kristin Davis and Cynthia Nixon.
Madonna – Takara
In May 1995, Alek Keshishian filmed Madonna in a Japanese television commercial for Takara, a shochu or Japanese sake manufacturer.
Wearing geisha shoes, Madonna enters the lair of the golden dragon to the sound of music she wrote and recorded especially for the ad.
Approaching the beast, Madge draws her sword and cuts away a magical golden orb from it’s mouth, which then transforms into a glass of Jun Legend sake on ice.
‘I’m pure. Jun Legend,’ Madonna says, turning to the camera.
In May 1995, Alek Keshishian filmed Madonna in a Japanese television commercial for Takara, a shochu or Japanese sake manufacturer
Wearing geisha shoes, Madonna enters the lair of the golden dragon to the sound of music she wrote and recorded especially for the ad
Approaching the beast, Madge draws her sword and cuts away a magical golden orb from it’s mouth, which then transforms into a glass of Jun Legend sake on ice
The sake, called Jun Legend, was made by blending two types of alcohol distilled from barley and corn and aging them in charred oak barrels for one to five years.
Takara’s claim at the time was that the sake tasted similar to whiskey.
Madonna wrote and sang the commercial’s song, which featured the lyrics: ‘How can I be pure, when all the strength I have is breaking me?
‘How can I be sure, where is this road I’ve chosen taking me? I’m pure. Jun Legend.’
