Celebrity flops

From Madonna to Burt Reynolds: 10 celebrity rebrands that tanked

Image: Bruno Guerrero

Reinvention is part of survival in Hollywood, but not every career makeover works. From actors trying to become rock stars to musicians chasing movie stardom, the industry is filled with cautionary tales of failed transformations. These 10 celebrities tried to break out of their established images, but the public—and sometimes critics—weren’t buying it.

Image: De'Andre Bush

Intended rebrand: Actress

Despite occasional praise (Desperately Seeking Susan, Evita), her performances in films like Body of Evidence and Swept Away earned her little more than Razzie Awards and negative reviews.

Her attempts to pivot into film never reached the same acclaim as her music, leaving her firmly on her pop-icon throne—not that there’s anything wrong with that when you’re Madonna.

Image: Gordon Cowie

Intended rebrand: Rapper

NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal released several rap albums in the ’90s. His debut, Shaq Diesel, went platinum, but subsequent releases, like Shaq Fu: Da Return, fell flat.

Critics panned his lyrics and delivery, despite numerous star collaborations, and Shaq’s rap career soon became more of a novelty act than a serious artistic pivot, ultimately overshadowed by his basketball achievements.

Image: Matthias Wagner

Intended rebrand: Singer

In 2006, Hilton released her debut pop album, Paris. While the lead single "Stars Are Blind" gained some popularity, the overall album received lukewarm reviews, and sales didn’t last.

Attempts to relaunch her music career later failed, leaving her better remembered for reality TV and celebrity branding.

Image: Brands&People

Intended rebrand: Actress

At the height of her fame, Mariah Carey starred in the 2001 film Glitter. However, the movie bombed both critically and commercially, dealing a major blow to Carey’s acting ambitions.

Although she later earned some praise for Precious (2009), her attempt to rebrand as a movie star remained overshadowed by Glitter’s failure.

Image: Senad Palic

Intended rebrand: Wrestler

Rodman, already infamous in the NBA for his wild antics, joined WCW in the late 1990s. While he wrestled alongside Hulk Hogan in big matches, critics and wrestling fans mocked his lack of training and commitment.

The stunt drew headlines but didn’t translate into a lasting wrestling career, and Rodman returned to his basketball-focused career instead.

Image: Sam McGhee

Intended rebrand: TV Host

After the 2008 election, Palin signed on for Sarah Palin’s Alaska on TLC.

The show revolved around outdoor adventures in the northernmost state. While initial ratings were strong, they quickly dropped off, and the show was eventually canceled after one season.

Image: aiden marples

Intended rebrand: Rapper

In the early 2000s, Mike Tyson announced plans for a rap career. Tracks like "I Am Who I Am" circulated but were widely mocked for their poor quality and delivery.

Despite his larger-than-life persona, Tyson’s attempt to rebrand as a musician collapsed almost before it began.

Image: Tim Gouw

Intended rebrand: Baseball player

In 1994, Jordan left the NBA to play minor-league baseball with the Chicago White Sox. Though he showed flashes of talent, he batted just .202 with the Birmingham Barons.

The baseball pivot became one of sports’ most famous failed rebrands, though Jordan later returned to his basketball career.

Image: Leo Talabardon

Intended rebrand: Navy SEAL

One of the most eccentric rebrands on this list, at the height of his golf career, Tiger Woods reportedly trained with Navy SEALs in hopes of pursuing a military path.

He did this as an attempted homage to his father, a Green Beret who served during the Vietnam War. However, a series of injuries, along with his ongoing golf commitments, prevented the idea from materializing.

Image: Priscilla Du Preez

Intended rebrand: Country singer

Hollywood star Burt Reynolds released a country album in 1973, Ask Me What I Am. Despite his fame, the album was poorly received and sold very few copies.

As a result, Reynolds quickly abandoned his country music ambitions and refocused on his thriving film career.

Deep roots

11 everyday words with indigenous roots

English is a very welcoming language in the sense that it incorporates terms from many other languages from all over the world. And, as it couldn’t be otherwise, Native American languages have lent many of their words and terms to English speakers. Some traveled through Spanish or French before settling into English, and others arrived directly through early contact and trade, helping shape the way we speak today. Did you know about these 11 terms?

The word "canoe" comes from the Taino term canoa, which was first used by Caribbean islanders long before Europeans arrived. Early explorers adopted it to describe the slim, sturdy boats they saw.

Over time, "canoe" became the standard English word for a small paddled craft. Today it still carries that sense of simplicity and closeness to nature.

The word "barbecue" comes from barbacoa, another Taino term for a wooden frame used for cooking meat over fire. Europeans adopted it and applied it to both the method and the gathering itself.

Today, "barbecue" means everything from a backyard cookout to a regional cooking style. Its origins highlight the deep culinary influence of Native Americans in the nation's current culture.

"Skunk" comes from the Algonquian word squnk, which means "urinating fox" (quite a fitting term, indeed). This was an obvious reference to the animal’s strong defensive spray. Early settlers adopted the term directly.

Since English had no better name for the creature, the Native word stuck. Today, the word skunks is also used as playful slang.

The word "moose" originates from Eastern Abenaki, a part of the Algonquian family, where it meant "he strips off bark." Yes, it described the animal’s habit of tearing bark from trees.

The name entered English quickly because settlers relied on Native knowledge of local fauna. The word remains unchanged because of its accuracy and usefulness.

"Raccoon" comes from the Powhatan word arakun, meaning "he scratches with his hands." It described the animal’s clever, humanlike front paws.

Settlers adopted the term because it captured the creature’s behavior beautifully. Today, the raccoon is used as a household symbol of curiosity, not unlike the animal itself.

The term "chipmunk" most probably comes from the Ojibwe word ajidamoo, which means "one who descends trees headfirst." Early English settlers adapted the sound into today’s form.

Though the spelling changed over time, the lively image of a chipmunk racing down a tree face-first stayed.

The word "caribou" comes from the Mi’kmaq term qalipu, which means "snow shoveler," referring to the animal’s habit of digging through snow for food.

French settlers brought the word into English, keeping its descriptive nature. The name still connects the modern animal to the winter landscapes it belongs to.

"Totem" comes from the Ojibwe word ototeman, which means "kinship group." It described symbols representing clans and shared roots.

English adopted it to describe carved poles and symbolic elements. Though broader in modern usage, it still hints at the original sense of community, identity, and heritage.

"Coyote" comes from the Nahuatl word coyōtl, which was used by Indigenous tribes of central Mexico. Spanish speakers adopted it, and English borrowed later.

The word kept its meaning, and it remains one of the most direct links between the English language and Nahuatl.

The tasty avocado’s name traces to the Nahuatl word ahacatl, which refers to the fruit and to a body part as well. Spanish speakers transformed it into aguacate.

Later on, English speakers adapted it to avocado. While the name sounds contemporary and culinary, it has ancient Native roots.

The last Nahuatl word and also the last word on the list comes from the term xocolātl, which describes a bitter cacao drink that was consumed long before Europeans arrived in America. The name traveled from Spanish to English.

Though the product changed dramatically, the word survived. Today, chocolate is a universal symbol of sweetness, with rich and deeply indigenous roots.