2011 Top Celebrity Reinvention Artists (And What You Can Learn From Them)

With Hollywood’s award season finally behind us, I can’t help but wonder who should have received the award for “Best Reinvention Artist.” After all, so much of what is necessary to sustain a long career in show business (or any business for that matter), has to do with evolving — honing your craft, choosing challenging projects and building upon your successes.

In lieu of the fact that there is no such award, I have decided to create my own Big Fish Hall of Fame for those who made waves in the past 12 months. The criteria being that the person has to be a celebrity who has recast themselves into a different form—to change themselves so much that they seem entirely new.

“And the nominees for Best Reinvention Artist goes to…”

Gwyneth Paltrow

Academy Award winner Gwyneth Paltrow illuminated her star when she started singing. Gwyneth has had singing roles before, but really showed what she could do this past year, staring in the movie Country Strong and landing a recurring role on Glee.

 Q. What hidden talent do you have to share with the world?

EMINEM

Marshall Mathers grew up poverty stricken with no father and a drug addict mother. As Eminem, Marshall was able to harness that pain and become the best selling music artist in the world. With his latest album Recovery, Eminem delivers introspective and emotional content with the help of superstar Rihanna.

 Q. How can you channel your past into a strong present?

Iman

Never just a supermodel; Iman studied political science at Nairobi University, can speak 5 different languages, is a clothing and jewelry designer and developed a line of makeup specifically for women of color. Now Iman is using her fame to help struggling designers make their way in the ever-changing fashion industry as the host of The Fashion Show.

 Q. How are you helping others achieve their dreams?

Tom Ford

As an unknown fashion designer, Tom Ford rebuilt the failing house of Gucci. In search of another creative outlet, Ford wrote, directed and produced the movie A Single Man, which received numerous nominations and awards. To launch his signature clothing line this past year, he turned his favorite movie stars and socialites into runway models, which garnered headlines and big orders.

 Q. In what ways can you involve your biggest fans in your success?

Mario Batali

From dishwasher to a major brand, Batali is on a mission to teach the world about Italian food. Along with running restaurants, owning a vineyard, and hosting two cooking shows, Batali recently began designing custom kitchen tools and opened Eataly in New York, the world’s largest artisanal Italian food and wine marketplace.

 Q. How can you expand your brand and keep it real?

Betty White

Willing to do and say almost anything for a laugh (even at her own expense), Betty White continues to reinvent herself in movies, commercials, Saturday Night Live appearances and in her new hit show Hot in Cleveland. At 89, White is more relevant than ever. In fact, my 11-year-old daughter just finished reading her biography and loved it.

 Q. Are you letting your age stand in the way of your success?

As you can see, the fearlessness of these nominees holds a key lesson for each of us. It’s not easy to achieve success, and it’s a heck of a lot harder to sustain it. Only by continuing to reinvent yourself can you keep your brand fresh and others interested.

Now my ardent readers, I invite you to vote for a winner or chime in with your own nominees. I’d love to hear who you think should be honored in the Big Fish Hall of Fame.

 Robin Fisher Roffer is a leading brand strategist and reinvention specialist. Founder and CEO of Big Fish Marketing, she is the author of Make A Name For Yourself: 8 Steps Every Woman Needs To Create A Personal Brand Strategy For Success andThe Fearless Fish Out Of Water: How To Succeed When You’re The Only One Like You. Learn about her Reinvent Yourself! Workshops at http://relevanceinstitute.com/

Robin Fisher Roffer