Now Casting: Big-Named Baristas
Each week, Hollywood Hustlers looks at a hot career pursuit that’s drawing everyone from their respective corners of Tinseltown to vie for the role. Got an idea for an upcoming “Now Casting” feature? Email tips to cashleelee@gmail.com.
Bob Romanos, veteran actor of Fast Times at Ridgemont High, may have opened a new espresso bar in Los Angeles’s NoHo Arts District, but he’s not the first Hollywood star to break into the barista scene. Back in January, Grey’s Anatomy actor Patrick Dempsey purchased Tully’s Coffee, outbidding Starbucks with a $9.15 million offer for the entire chain (Dempsey is a member of the investment group Global Baristas).
Here in New York City, Les Miserables star Hugh Jackman champions Laughing Man Coffee & Tea, a charitable coffee chain with three locations throughout lower Manhattan. After visiting Ethiopia as a World Vision ambassador and planting coffee trees with a Kochere regional farmer named Dukale, Jackman opened the shops to benefit entrepreneurial endeavors in poverty-stricken countries — and these Fair Trade and organic drinks both do good and taste good.
I recently interviewed Laughing Man’s CEO and founder David Steingard to find out more about Jackman’s company, which was a natural business endeavor for the actor.
“He is a partner and an operator — he weighs in on the big decisions, and when he’s in town, he comes by,” said Steingard, who explained that Jackman majored in journalism and has always been well-read in economics, since his father was an accountant. “Meeting Dukali was the culmination of all of that coming together. He’s engaged and cares a lot about these issues, as he was before Laughing Man. It’s a very important part of his life, and I think that’s what it so genuine and legitimate.”
So why is the coffee chain called Laughing Man? “Think of the moment when you’re laughing with your best friend: how all barriers go away, all differences and worries go away, only for a moment,” he explained. “Laughter is the expression of freedom — that freedom to laugh, wherever you are, is a sign that we can be free: that could be virtual freedom, economic freedom, whatever. It’s the idea that laughter generates that. It’s a reminder.”
Jackman’s contributions also stretch into Laughing Man’s menu, since the Flat White on the menu comes from Down Under. “Australians have a particularly good coffee culture, so he would definitely describe himself as a coffee snob!” Steingard said of Jackman’s palate. Amidst its Home Blend 184 (named after the first Laughing Man location) and Dukale’s Dream espresso, the actor has made fellow Aussies like Russell Crowe welcome with the signature drink.
Laughing Man Coffee & Tea has two locations in TriBeCa (184 Duane Steet and 54 Reade Street) and is also inside the Mercantile Exchange in Battery Park, at 1 North End Avenue. Check out the company’s website for a sweet selection of sips and gifts as well!
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Now Casting: Mysterious Musicians
Each week, Hollywood Hustlers looks at a hot career pursuit that’s drawing everyone from their respective corners of Tinseltown to vie for the role. Got an idea for an upcoming “Now Casting” feature? Email tips to cashleelee@gmail.com.
Sure, Hollywood Hustlers know how to make money from their many hobbies, but we at HH gotta hand it to those who don’t exploit their celebrity platform to simply catapult their new project to the top. Instead, they stay grounded, pushing aside their famed persona to enjoy being part of the group — or rather, the band.
Plenty of established actors are (relatively) quietly messing around in musicianship: Kevin Bacon is one half of The Bacon Brothers, who has sold six albums; Jada Pinkett-Smith is the lead singer/screamer of heavy metal band Wicked Wisdom. Dennis Quaid, Kevin Costner, Bruce Willis and Jared Leto have all taken to the microphone during rehearsals, while the elusive Keanu Reeves was bassist for his band Dogstar for ten years (the band was originally called Small Fecal Matter, for some reason).
But the pastime isn’t something an actor must graduate to after an established career in film and television. Plenty of young Hollywood has gracefully taken to the stage as well: Glee actor Cory Montieth is the drummer for Bonnie Dune, Shane West started out as the singer and guitarist for Jonny Was, and Frankie Muniz is the dummer for You Hang Up. Robert Pattinson actually sings the blues, including a few tracks on Twilight soundtracks. As for indie duos, adorable Arrested Development breakout Michael Cera is one half of The Long Goodbye, the beautiful Scarlett Johansson pairs her name and voice with Pete Yorn, and blue-eyed New Girl comedienne Zooey Deschanel is the female component of She & Him.
Some actor have achieved some authentic success while on the stage. Billy Bob Thorton has released a few solo albums, Steve Martin & the Steep Canyon Rangers has collected Grammy awards for banjo and bluegrass (plus the hilarious and inevitable one-liners between songs from Martin). One reason Russell Crowe was cast for the film adaptation of Les Miserables was because of his performances with his rock band, 30 Off Foot of Grunts. And of course, Johnny Depp, the man with the Midas touch, is part of the supergroup P, which also boasts members from the Red Hot Chili Peppers and the Sex Pistols. Most recently, Rita Wilson has indulged in an evolving career in country music.
But not everyone enters the music industry to open arms: Eddie Murphy, Jennifer Love Hewitt and Tyra Banks have each tried to crossover, only to be turned back by fans and curious music lovers alike. Maybe people figured they were just trying to capitalize on their average musical talents — as Disney Channel stars like Selena Gomez and Hilary Duff have done — or maybe it can be blamed on bad songwriting, management or production. Next time, try the not-so-marketed route — it’s not topping the Billboard charts, but at least the others in the post are genuinely welcomed at smaller stages.
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Now Casting: Avocado Aficionados
Each week, Hollywood Hustlers looks at a hot career pursuit that’s drawing everyone from their respective corners of Tinseltown to vie for the role. Got an idea for an upcoming “Now Casting” feature? Email tips to cashleelee@gmail.com.
As the winter melts away into spring (finally, for us NYC-based hustlers), people are packing away their peacoats and rainboots and dusting off their sundresses and sandals. For those starting to stock up on those summertime food favorites, feel free to order your avocados from your favorite celebrity farmer!
Yes, the rough-skinned, creamy green fruit, grown year-round in California, has attracted a faction of Hollywood to establish — and often retreat into — their own private avocado farms. Acoustic singer Jason Mraz happily harvests from San Diego, and though he does routinely sell his crop at local markets, he’s more proud of his guacamole and “chocomole,” a chocolate mousse made from avocados.
Venture north to Ventura County to find actor Tom Selleck, who proudly oversees a 20-acre avocado farm (which is part of a 65-acre ranch, complete with a horse corral) to relax from filming episodes of CBS’ Blue Bloods in New York City every other week. Selleck started out with over two thousand avocado trees — he lost about 600 to a harsh cold front in 2007 — and remains the largest seller of avocados to the state of California.
Who is Selleck’s neighbor? None other than Django Unchained star Jamie Foxx, who has 800 trees of his own on a ranch that’s separated from Selleck’s by a common fence. Additionally, the late Dallas actor Larry Hagman also indulged in avocado farming, as he had 200 trees alongside a helipad and a 43-foot lap pool.
Enjoy your Hass avocados this season, hustlers. You never which celebrity’s California ranch they’re coming from!
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Now Casting: Maternity Moguls
Each week, Hollywood Hustlers looks at a hot career pursuit that’s drawing everyone from their respective corners of Tinseltown to vie for the role. Got an idea for an upcoming “Now Casting” feature? Email tips to cashleelee@gmail.com.
Reality star Kim Kardashian is an empire of her own, well known for turning a life event into a profitable venture. Now that she’s expecting a baby with beau Kanye West, media commenters are speculating that she’s possibly gaining so much weight because she’s eyeing a deal to partner with a weight loss campaign after giving birth. Oh, New York Post, that’s just crazy. Kim’s just pregnant. Leave her alone.
However, we at HH have already outlined how inspiring — and lucrative — a newborn baby can be for a Hollywood hustler. So why would stars wait until the baby’s born? The entire process of pregnancy and birth has actually proven to be yet another promising business opportunity. As the baby bumps get bigger, so do their wallets!
Most famously to have championed this maternity mogul avenue is Jessica Simpson. Though she entered Hollywood as a pop singer and reality television star, she has since launched a booming clothing brand and become a mentor on NBC’s Fashion Star design competition, alongside Nicole Richie and John Varvatos. So just after she gave birth to Maxwell Drew, she expanded her brand to include maternity fashions, and was reportedly eyeing a Weight Watchers deal while still pregnant to her daughter. Currently, Simpson is expecting a second child, and possibly popping out new products soon as well…
Simpson’s not alone in cashing in on the neglected demographic. Supermodel Elle Macpherson features nursing bras in her lingerie line following her frustrations to find one she liked, while fellow runway star Molly Sims launched a selection of baby products when shopping for her upcoming newborn. Tori Spelling, Bethenny Frankel, Kendra Wilkinson, Kourtney Kardashian and Snooki have all featured their pregnancies on reality shows, and practically every star entertains bids for magazine covers that highlight their expectant form. The only thing that could cost more? The first photos of the baby, of course!
Best of luck to you, Kim K. We’re wishing you a happy, healthy and profitable pregnancy.
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Now Casting: Baby Patrons
Each week, Hollywood Hustlers looks at a hot career pursuit that’s drawing everyone from their respective corners of Tinseltown to vie for the role. Got an idea for an upcoming “Now Casting” feature? Email tips to cashleelee@gmail.com.
When celebrities branch off into new ventures, they’re usually following a passion of some sort. Whether following through on a lifelong love of writing or making some money off an affinity for wine, a successful hustle usually comes from the heart.
So naturally, the stars of Hollywood have projects inspired by their newborn babies.
For example, boy band member and television host Nick Lachey just released A Father’s Lullaby, an album of sleepytime songs inspired by his toddler, Camden. The Fisher-Price production features twelve tracks, including classics like “You Are My Sunshine” and “Brahms Lullaby” as well as four originals that Lachey co-wrote.
Not so musically minded? Not a problem for Jessica Alba, who first started The Honest Company to protect her child from the harmful chemicals found in many household cleaners and liquids. Honest now boasts a wide selection of eco-friendly, allergy-free products, including diapers, shampoo, laundry detergent, surface cleaner and more. Even more so, Alba has also just released a hardcover of how-to’s for maintaining an “honest” and healthy home.
As for those who have already conquered the field of fashion, the logical next step is children’s clothing. Supermodel and Project Runway host Heidi Klum is continuously adding to her Truly Scrumptious clothing line at Babies “R” Us; No Doubt’s leading lady Gwen Stefani started her Harajuku Mini Line for Target last year. Since babies outgrow clothes so quickly, it’s quite the lucrative venture.
So now that there are so many ways to monetize parenthood in Hollywood, it looks like maternity/paternity leave is now viewed as a business opportunity. Hooray!
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Now Casting: Celebrities With Issues
Each week, Hollywood Hustlers looks at a hot career pursuit that’s drawing everyone from their respective corners of Tinseltown to vie for the role. Got an idea for an upcoming “Now Casting” feature? Email tips to cashleelee@gmail.com.
Despite rumors that the magazine industry at large is shrinking, celebrities are gladly jumping onto the sinking ship and getting involved in the issues. Most recently, actor and former California governor Arnold Schwarzenegger will soon be spotted on the mastheads of American Media Inc. (AMI) publications as its Group Executive Editor. Drawing from his extensive bodybuilding career — including winning bodybuilding’s top contest, the Mr. Olympia, seven times — Schwarzenegger will be offering both strategic and creative input, as well as contributing monthly columns to Muscle & Fitness and Flex magazines and websites.
It’s actually nothing new for Schwarzenegger: he held this position before taking office in 2003 (“I’ll be back…” he probably said), and has also appeared on more than 60 AMI covers throughout the years.
“It was in these magazines that I found the spark that inspired me to start lifting weights, and eventually move to America and realize my dreams, and I’m proud to return as Executive Editor,” said Schwarzenegger in a statement. “Bodybuilding has always been part of my life, and I know Muscle & Fitness and Flex will continue to motivate others — as it did me — to lift weights and lead a healthy lifestyle, promote the sport of bodybuilding, and, as Joe used to say in every issue, ‘exceed themselves’.”
Though Schwarzenegger is one of the few to jump from entertainment to magazines in a permanent capacity with AMI, a handful of other publications gladly invite Hollywood to try the role on for size. Vanity Fair featured director Judd Apatow as guest editor of its first-ever Comedy issue last December, following U2 frontman Bono who edited the Africa issue in July 2007, and designer Tom Ford who edited the Hollywood Portfolio in March 2006. Marie Claire rewards winners of Lifetime’s fashion reality competition Project Runway All Stars with a guest editorship of the magazine for a year, which also regularly runs a style advice column from Project Runway’s mentor Tim Gunn. Interview puts stars in the hot seat to interview other stars, while The New Yorker publishes their essays.
Yet others prefer to play a magazinist onscreen instead, either with fabulous fear like Meryl Streep in The Devil Wears Prada, with unintended romance like Richard Gere in Runaway Bride, or with familial priorities like Owen Wilson in Marley & Me. Who particularly loves the position? I say Justin Timberlake, who played an art director for GQ in Friends With Benefits and will soon star in The Last Drop as a very thirsty New York Magazine restaurant critic.
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Now Casting: Noteworthy Winemakers
Each week, Hollywood Hustlers looks at a hot career pursuit that’s drawing everyone from their respective corners of Tinseltown to vie for the role. Got an idea for an upcoming “Now Casting” feature? Email tips to cashleelee@gmail.com.
Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie aren’t the only ones entering the winemaking business. Turns out that many celebrities have been striking gold with grapes for years: Black Eyed Peas singer Fergie launched Ferguson Crest with her father late last year, band frontman Dave Matthews has three wines with Dreaming Tree, and music group Train released a petite syrah named after their Grammy-winning hit, “Drops of Jupiter.” Drew Barrymore has a citrus-infused Pinot Grigio to reflect her fresh and fun personality, Richard Gere has a vintage Tuscan red, and Kurt Russell has a chardonnay with a handful of pinot noirs. As for Antonio Banderas? The always-smooth actor partnered with Anta Bodegas last year to introduce a line of seven Spanish wines.
What is it about winemaking that has consistently transformed Hollywood wine enthusiasts into entrepreneurial vintners? For some, it’s just a matter of a simple partnership; Barrymore and Banderas leant their names to already-established vineyards. For others who want to get their feet wet in the wine, celebs like Fergie and Russell rather enjoy stepping away from the spotlight and out in to the vineyard themselves with their loved ones — Fergie first planted the vine alongside her father back in 2006, while Russell has said that he needs a great reason to get away from the grapes and grandkids. Sometimes, the actor’s name does not even appear on the bottle at all.
Pitt and Jolie will be more deeply involved in the production process of their Miraval wines. According to Bloomberg, the vintage pink rose will root from their 1,000-acre estate — Chateau Miraval in Correns, France — which they acquired in 2008, and will be the first of many organic wine offerings. In an equal partnership with celebrated European vintner Marc Perrin, the big-screen power couple have already attended blending sessions and contributed to the creation of a larger bottle shape and circular black label, which will read “Jolie-Pitt and Perrin” as winemakers.
“If you knew Brad and Angelina, you would see they are in search of perfection in everything,” Perrin told Bloomberg. “Brad and Angelina are very friendly, nice people and down to earth…They’re thinking long term.”
The first Miraval wine hits shelves on March 15. Described as featuring “wild lily aromas and brighter flavor notes of strawberry and raspberry,” I suggest pairing it with a screening of Mr. and Mrs. Smith.
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Now Casting: Authors of All Kinds
Each week, Hollywood Hustlers looks at a hot career pursuit that’s drawing everyone from their respective corners of Tinseltown to vie for the role. Got an idea for an upcoming “Now Casting” feature? Email tips to cashleelee@gmail.com.
The celebrity publishing world has always been booming, but now it’s bursting at the seams with more than just memoirs on the darkest parts of fame: last year brought cookbooks from both Eva Longoria and Olivia Newton-John, Fall Out Boy bassist Pete Wentz debuts his second novel later this month, and comediennes Amy Poehler, Lena Dunham and Judy Greer each scored big book deals for impending essay compilations of hilarity. With ghostwriters, self-publishers and very hungry editors on hand, it seems that just about everybody has a New York Times bestseller in them — or maybe two or three…
I caught up with Rev Run of Run-D.M.C. and singer/actor Tyrese Gibson, who partnered up to break down men’s biggest dating secrets for the women who are hurt by them all too often in their new self-help book Manology: Secrets of Your Man’s Mind Revealed. Check out my feature below:
These days, inquiring minds are turning to Twitter to get dating advice from Tyrese Gibson and Joseph Simmons, aka Rev Run of Run-D.M.C. It’s where the Fast & Furious 6 actor spars with the Biblical-based bathtub tweeter about how women can find lasting love, even though so many men are masters of manipulation and mind games. Even Gibson, a single father, isn’t necessarily convinced it’s even possible.
“It’s not every man; I would be wrong to generalize and say every man has these kinds of intentions,” says Gibson, who’s frank about his former dating ways. “Having a 5-year-old daughter, I’ve tapped into a certain sensitivity that I normally never paid attention to, and I hope my daughter never ran into me when I was younger.”
In the new dating book Manology: Secrets of Your Man’s Mind Revealed, the two tackle hot topics like infidelity, effective arguing and the ever-elusive question of “When is too soon to sleep with someone?” They each draw from their own relationship experiences and separate book successes: Simmons released an affirmations anthology Words of Wisdom and a parenting handbook Take Back Your Family (which he co-authored with his wife Justine) while Gibson wrote the self-help hardcover How to Get Out of Your Own Way.
“You can look at it as how to catch and keep a man: Tyrese will show you how to catch him, and my point of view will show you how to keep him,” says Simmons, a father of six children whom he first introduced on MTV’s hit reality show Run’s House.
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Hollywood Hustlers 