Pirouetting effortlessly from film star to mogul, Gwyneth Paltrow has provided the business blueprint for celebrities who don't want to rely on the notoriously fickle world of Hollywood to maintain their careers.
The actress launched her Goop lifestyle brand back in 2008, with the company growing from a newsletter to a business that encompasses e-commerce, podcasts and a "wellness summit".
And she's not the only one expanding outside the big screen.
Covering a wide range of subjects, from politics and community activism to beauty, wellness and veganism, these stars are making moves outside the movies, too.
Here are five celebrities who've launched their own websites in recent years.
Kate Bosworth, www.kind-est.com
"Welcome to the place where it's cool to be kind," declares the introduction page of Kate Bosworth's new lifestyle website. Using kindness and substance as her business building blocks, the Straw Dogs actress, 37, came up with the idea after her grandmother died, and she wanted a space to share her thoughts and ideas.
"It's a handmade destination; every word is written by me," the actress told InStyle of her passion project. "I'm up late every night obsessing over the design of an article. No matter how serious or light the subject matter is, there's a story behind every post."
Divided into four sections – beauty, cooking, inspire and shop – find everything on the website from skincare tips and what to do with leftover food, to inspirational stories and tinted lip balms to buy.
Chris Evans, www.astartingpoint.com
He's long shared his political affiliations on social media, and The Avengers star has spun his passion for politics into a "video-based civic engagement platform … with the goal of creating a more informed electorate".
Alongside his partners, Mark Kassen and Joe Kiani, the site was created by Evans to engage people in political discourse on a range of matters, such as the Affordable Care Act, Electoral Interference and housing.
"I was pretty vocal, even when I was doing the (Marvel) stuff. I wasn't shy about it," he told USA Today. "I've never really pitted my professional life against what I felt passionate about if I think it's worth speaking (about). If I think there's something I can do to help, or shine a light on an issue that deserves attention, I'll do it."
Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, www.roseinc.com
The English model and actress's site is dedicated to all things beauty, featuring hair, make-up and skin tutorials, interviews and profiles. There's also a shop where you can buy make-up from her own brand, as well as brands she likes.
"When it comes to thinking about who we profile and what we cover on Rose Inc, I feel like it's really important that we talk to influencers and industry professionals that really have something to say beyond their make-up routine and beauty routine," Huntington-Whiteley, 33, told Grazia UK. "I think it's important to have a message.
“I also really want to peel back the layers and look at beauty in a deeper way. What does it mean to people holistically? I think it goes without saying that we have a diverse mix of people and experts contributing as well.”
Zooey Deschanel, www.hellogiggles.com
Hello Giggles was started by the New Girl actress and her friends, producer Sophia Rivka Rossi and writer Molly McAleer. Billed as a "positive community for women", sections include beauty, fashion, lifestyle, love and entertainment, and all information is presented with a positive spin.
"I've always been of the thinking that if I like something, whether it's a song or a script or a feature for the site, chances are someone else will like it too," the star, 40, told Forbes.
Netting a cool $30 million after selling the site to Time Inc, Deschanel said she hoped the move would “inspire and support even more young women with a safe and positive media platform".
Alicia Silverstone, www.thekindlife.com
Having been a vegan for many years, Clueless actress Silverstone parlayed her passion first into a book, The Kind Diet, and then her website. Focusing on food, beauty, travel and environmental issues, veganism and sustainability is at the heart of every interview, review and feature.
“This website is a fantastic resource for those who want to delve deeper into the world of healthy, green, eco-friendly living,” says the actress, 44. “The Kind Life is a hub to get valuable information and find resources to help make every aspect of your life as kind as possible.”
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Read more:
From Bella to Ramy: 11 Muslim US celebrities who have opened up about their faith
Chris Evans says new TV show 'Defending Jacob' is really all about guilt
How female entrepreneurs can deal with 'mansplaining' investors
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Desert Warrior
Starring: Anthony Mackie, Aiysha Hart, Ben Kingsley
Director: Rupert Wyatt
Rating: 3/5
Who was Alfred Nobel?
The Nobel Prize was created by wealthy Swedish chemist and entrepreneur Alfred Nobel.
- In his will he dictated that the bulk of his estate should be used to fund "prizes to those who, during the preceding year, have conferred the greatest benefit to humankind".
- Nobel is best known as the inventor of dynamite, but also wrote poetry and drama and could speak Russian, French, English and German by the age of 17. The five original prize categories reflect the interests closest to his heart.
- Nobel died in 1896 but it took until 1901, following a legal battle over his will, before the first prizes were awarded.
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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Electric scooters: some rules to remember
- Riders must be 14-years-old or over
- Wear a protective helmet
- Park the electric scooter in designated parking lots (if any)
- Do not leave electric scooter in locations that obstruct traffic or pedestrians
- Solo riders only, no passengers allowed
- Do not drive outside designated lanes
BEACH SOCCER WORLD CUP
Group A
Paraguay
Japan
Switzerland
USA
Group B
Uruguay
Mexico
Italy
Tahiti
Group C
Belarus
UAE
Senegal
Russia
Group D
Brazil
Oman
Portugal
Nigeria
How much do leading UAE’s UK curriculum schools charge for Year 6?
- Nord Anglia International School (Dubai) – Dh85,032
- Kings School Al Barsha (Dubai) – Dh71,905
- Brighton College Abu Dhabi - Dh68,560
- Jumeirah English Speaking School (Dubai) – Dh59,728
- Gems Wellington International School – Dubai Branch – Dh58,488
- The British School Al Khubairat (Abu Dhabi) - Dh54,170
- Dubai English Speaking School – Dh51,269
*Annual tuition fees covering the 2024/2025 academic year
The specs
Price, base / as tested Dh12 million
Engine 8.0-litre quad-turbo, W16
Gearbox seven-speed dual clutch auto
Power 1479 @ 6,700rpm
Torque 1600Nm @ 2,000rpm 0-100kph: 2.6 seconds 0-200kph: 6.1 seconds
Top speed 420 kph (governed)
Fuel economy, combined 35.2L / 100km (est)
Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026
1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years
If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.
2. E-invoicing in the UAE
Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption.
3. More tax audits
Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks.
4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime
Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.
5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit
There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.
6. Further transfer pricing enforcement
Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes.
7. Limited time periods for audits
Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion.
8. Pillar 2 implementation
Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.
9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services
Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations.
10. Substance and CbC reporting focus
Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity.
Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer
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THE BIO: Martin Van Almsick
Hometown: Cologne, Germany
Family: Wife Hanan Ahmed and their three children, Marrah (23), Tibijan (19), Amon (13)
Favourite dessert: Umm Ali with dark camel milk chocolate flakes
Favourite hobby: Football
Breakfast routine: a tall glass of camel milk
Infiniti QX80 specs
Engine: twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6
Power: 450hp
Torque: 700Nm
Price: From Dh450,000, Autograph model from Dh510,000
Available: Now
Zakat definitions
Zakat: an Arabic word meaning ‘to cleanse’ or ‘purification’.
Nisab: the minimum amount that a Muslim must have before being obliged to pay zakat. Traditionally, the nisab threshold was 87.48 grams of gold, or 612.36 grams of silver. The monetary value of the nisab therefore varies by current prices and currencies.
Zakat Al Mal: the ‘cleansing’ of wealth, as one of the five pillars of Islam; a spiritual duty for all Muslims meeting the ‘nisab’ wealth criteria in a lunar year, to pay 2.5 per cent of their wealth in alms to the deserving and needy.
Zakat Al Fitr: a donation to charity given during Ramadan, before Eid Al Fitr, in the form of food. Every adult Muslim who possesses food in excess of the needs of themselves and their family must pay two qadahs (an old measure just over 2 kilograms) of flour, wheat, barley or rice from each person in a household, as a minimum.
German intelligence warnings
- 2002: "Hezbollah supporters feared becoming a target of security services because of the effects of [9/11] ... discussions on Hezbollah policy moved from mosques into smaller circles in private homes." Supporters in Germany: 800
- 2013: "Financial and logistical support from Germany for Hezbollah in Lebanon supports the armed struggle against Israel ... Hezbollah supporters in Germany hold back from actions that would gain publicity." Supporters in Germany: 950
- 2023: "It must be reckoned with that Hezbollah will continue to plan terrorist actions outside the Middle East against Israel or Israeli interests." Supporters in Germany: 1,250
Source: Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution
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Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
ATP WORLD No 1
2004 Roger Federer
2005 Roger Federer
2006 Roger Federer
2007 Roger Federer
2008 Rafael Nadal
2009 Roger Federer
2010 Rafael Nadal
2011 Novak Djokovic
2012 Novak Djokovic
2013 Rafael Nadal
2014 Novak Djokovic
2015 Novak Djokovic
2016 Andy Murray
2017 Rafael Nadal
2018 Novak Djokovic
2019 Rafael Nadal
