Zack O'Malley Greenburg Bücher

In 2007, Ashton Kutcher realized he had been missing out on lucrative opportunities after hearing about 50 Cent's massive profit from Vitaminwater. Following the rapper's lead, Kutcher sought equity instead of cash for endorsements, leveraging his significant social media following to invest in a variety of tech startups. Over the next decade, he emerged as a leading figure among celebrity investors, joining the ranks of stars like Beyoncé, Jay-Z, Jennifer Lopez, and Alex Rodriguez. This diverse group traded their influence and connections for early access to sought-after investment opportunities, reshaping the venture capital landscape while building impressive portfolios that included companies like Airbnb, Spotify, and Uber. The intersection of Silicon Valley and Hollywood is explored in detail, revealing how these two seemingly disparate worlds became intertwined. Forbes senior editor Zack O'Malley Greenburg, who first chronicled Kutcher's journey in a 2016 cover story, now provides a captivating account of how this eclectic mix of talent managers, venture capitalists, and celebrities created a new paradigm for generational wealth. Through extensive reporting and interviews with over 100 influential figures, Greenburg highlights the remarkable transformation of fame's value.

Chronicles the rise and fall of Michael Jackson's billion-dollar business, revealing how his pioneering merchandising practices and savvy investment strategies reshaped the monetization of fame while paving the way for future artists.