Fashion and freebies are apparently not always a smooth match in Hollywood. Celebrity designer Kelly Nishimoto has stirred up a fresh debate after claiming that some A-listers once tried to score free clothing from her brand during her early business struggles.
Speaking on her Hairbrush News podcast, Nishimoto didn't hold back. She described the experience as 'so tacky' and suggested that certain celebrities expected complimentary pieces simply because of their status.
Among the names she mentioned were Paula Abdul and Kate Hudson, both of whom she said were linked to requests for free garments through their stylists.
Paula Abdul & Kate Hudson Allegedly Wanted Free Clothes
Nishimoto claimed Paula Abdul's stylist had initially borrowed pieces for the singer to wear on American Idol. So far, so standard in the fashion world. But things took a turn when the team later asked to keep three items permanently and without paying.
'She was like, 'Oh, she was hoping you would gift them to her,' Abdul's stylist said, Nishimoto recalled. The designer then ranted on the podcast: 'I'm over here struggling ... and you want me to give you a thousand dollars worth of clothes for free?'
Nishimoto claimed the stylist ended up sending all the clothes back since Abdul wouldn't be able to keep them for free. 'I thought that was so tacky,' she added.
The designer also brought up Kate Hudson, alleging that her stylist requested free leggings at a time when the actress had even just launched her own activewear brand Fabletics. Nishimoto said she offered to send an invoice but never heard back: 'I mean, c'mon. Really?'
Fans Slam Celebrities Over Hollywood Freebie Culture
On Instagram, the story quickly snowballed, and a lot of people were firmly on Nishimoto's side.
Comments poured in backing the designer, with users calling the alleged behaviour out as entitled. One comment read: 'Celebrities definitely have entitlement issues. It's annoying.' Another wrote: 'Thanks for calling them out.'
Others were more blunt, with one user saying: 'No one is cheaper than rich people.'
There were also people sharing their own experiences in the industry, saying they'd seen similar behaviour before. Some comments suggested that even high-earning celebrities sometimes forget designers still have bills to pay.
Industry Voices Push Back on Allegations
But it wasn't all one-sided. Plenty of voices pushed back, saying the situation may not be as simple as it sounds.
Another fashion designer Michael Costello defended Abdul, saying she has always been professional and has consistently paid for anything she's worn from his brand. He also stressed that in fashion lending situations, things can easily get messy depending on who is speaking to whom.
'This isn't really about celebrity status. In many cases, a stylist pulls pieces from a showroom on behalf of a client,' Costello wrote, adding: 'From there, communication between the stylist, the designer, and the client is essential. If a celebrity decides they want to keep a garment, everyone involved should be informed so expectations are clear and there are no misunderstandings.'
That point was echoed by celebrity makeup artist Ernesto Casillas, who said responsibility often sits with stylists rather than the celebrities themselves. 'This is on the stylist, not the client,' he said, pointing out how assistants and stylists sometimes handle requests independently so as not to 'chip into their own budget.'
Another commenter added even more nuance, suggesting that assistants may sometimes push for free items on their own initiative or even misrepresent what a celebrity actually asked for.
Kelly Nishimoto and the Cute Booty Lounge
Kelly Nishimoto is a fashion designer and entrepreneur best known for founding Cute Booty Lounge, a playful apparel brand famous for its leggings and casual wear. She also co-hosted the TV series Something Borrowed, Something New, where she worked on fashion transformations.
Earlier this year, Nishimoto announced she was shutting down her brand after more than 20 years in the industry. She described it as 'the end of an era,' saying she wanted to step back and focus on family and new ideas.
