13 celebrity endorsement deals that backfired
Olympian Michelle Kwan came under fire recently for endorsing Coca-Cola at the same time she is serving on President Obama’s Council on Fitness, Nutrition and Sports. (As everyone knows, childhood obesity is a major problem in America, and excessive consumption of sugary beverages is blamed as one of the culprits.) The controversy has become an issue for Kwan’s husband, Rhode Island gubernatorial candidate Clay Pell, whose campaign has been asked to address the controversy. (Myung J. Chun / Los Angeles Times)
Seriously, L’Oreal? The hair care company is accused of heavily airbrushing Diane Keaton, 68, in a commercial whose timing couldn’t be worse: It was seen by countless Golden Globe viewers moments after she accepted an honor on behalf of filmmaker Woody Allen. The result? A frenzied negative reaction on social media, and unflattering articles and side-by-side photo comparisons. (Paul Drinkwater / AP)
Grammy winner Taylor Swift has taken heat for endorsing Coca-Cola, even if it is the diet kind. (MARC TIRL / EPA)
We debated whether to include the Kardashians in this lineup. (They seem to court controversy, while we suspect that the other celebs we mention would be happy without the uproar.) Kim and a few other members of her Klan were embroiled in a lawsuit over their endorsement of QuickTrim diet pills. (Evan Agostini / Invision/ Associated Press)
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The Kardashians were sued for pulling out of an endorsement deal for a prepaid debit card that was criticized for its far-fetched fees. While it was all quite messy, the Kardashians prevailed. (Dave Kotinsky / Getty Images)
Health advocates begged Beyonce without luck to reconsider her Pepsi endorsement deal. (Dan Steinberg / Invision / Associated Press)
Former Laker Shaquille O’Neal has been called a hypocrite for introducing a new line of soft drinks when he is well aware of the problems of childhood obesity and Type 2 diabetes. (Dave Hogan / Getty Images)
Where to begin? Paula Deen was the Queen of Southern Cooking until her admitted use of the n-word caused her enviable media empire to implode. Now, she is trying to get back on track with a new privately funded endorsement deal, and has taken her case to the cover of People magazine. (Matt Sayles / Associated Press)
