The life of an A-list celebrity is, we imagine, an incredibly busy one. Merely staying relevant requires constant production of music, TV, film, and all kinds of other content.

Staying in the spotlight means making yourself constantly available for every high-profile social event, as well as accepting offers to appear on talk shows, reality TV episodes, and in newspaper columns.

However, despite the hectic life of the modern celebrity, a surprising number of them have found the time to squeeze in a side hustle to engage their passions and make a little extra cash on the side. Without further ado, here are seven surprising celebrity side hustles that you didn't know about. 

1. Ryan Reynolds: Aviation Gin

Hollywood legend and Deadpool star Ryan Reynolds might be at the height of his career right now, but that hasn't stopped him from pursuing his lifelong passion for gin. Aviation Gin is a premium gin founded in Portland, Oregon in 2006, and is famous for its seven ingredients; juniper, lavender, orange peel, cardamom, coriander, sarsaparilla, and anise seed. Reynolds discovered the drink a few years back and loved it so much that he purchased a majority stake in the company back in 2016. Today, he regularly shoots and stars in his own commercials for Aviation Gin. 

2. Reese Witherspoon: Hello Sunshine

Award-winning actress and former it-girl Reese Witherspoon has always been a committed driver of female empowerment causes. It was this passion that motivated her to launch Hello Sunshine in 2016, a female-staffed and led media company that focuses on empowerment, education, and shining a spotlight on women's issues that are often ignored in the mainstream media. With Witherspoon serving as CEO and Creative Director, Hello Sunshine has gone on to produce and distribute a number of hit films and novels, including Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine and the upcoming Legally Blonde 3.

3. Wiz Khalifa: Khalifa Kush

Multi-Grammy-nominated rapper Wiz Khalifa has never been shy about his love of marijuana, professing his dream of launching his own strain of the plant almost a decade ago. In 2018, that dream came true, thanks to the launch of his own home-grown weed strain 'Khalifa Kush'. If you're looking to buy some of your own, be aware, as it is only available for sale in California, Nevada, and Arizona, where the sale of marijuana is legal. While there is still a strong black market in the US of people selling weed, Khalifa Kush is only available in a select few states at registered dispensaries.

4. Arnie Hammer: BIRD Bakery

The star of Call Me By Your Name and countless indie flicks Arnie Hammer has always been known for his sensitive side. That's why it might be a total surprise that he has run a bakery that he owns with his wife in San Antonio for years now. BIRD Bakery is a cosy, light-filled establishment that serves up classical cafe fare such as soup of the day and blueberry pie, with very little inside to indicate that one of Hollywood's hottest actors is the owner and part-time manager. 

5. Alex James: Cheese Hub

The former Blur bassist Alex James stepped out of the spotlight a long time ago and has since settled into a much more relaxing way of life. James runs Cheese Hub, a fromagerie in Oxfordshire located in his sprawling country farm and estate. Taking his love of dairy one step further, James even runs an annual food and rock music festival in the county called The Big Feastival, which serves up artisanal bites and sets from big-name acts such as Rag N Bone Man and Zara Larsson. While this year's Feastival has been cancelled, James has promised that next year's will be bigger than ever.

6. Drew Barrymore: Flower Beauty

America's former sweetheart Drew Barrymore has been a passionate supporter of animal welfare issues since the earliest days of her career. This is part of the reason why she launched Flower Beauty in 2013; a cruelty-free, sustainable makeup line with affordability at its heart. In the words of Drew Barrymore herself, "I'm making crush-worthy cosmetics without compromise, at a price that you'll love". You can't really argue with that. 

7. Venus Williams: V Starr

Venus Williams may be best known for her phenomenal career on the tennis court, but that's not the only thing she has proven herself incredibly talented at. For many years now, Venus has been the CEO of V Starr, an award-winning interior design agency based in Los Angeles. V Starr has designed the interiors of luxury hotels, stadiums, condominiums, and public buildings across the US, often with Venus herself being in charge of the creative process. 

These celebrity side hustles show that A-listers truly never sleep. The commitment to the hustle is truly impressive. 

 

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