Indian cricketer Virat Kohli has invested in wellness company Hyperice and will also be their brand ambassador. Gallo Images / Getty Images
Indian cricketer Virat Kohli has invested in wellness company Hyperice and will also be their brand ambassador. Gallo Images / Getty Images
Indian cricketer Virat Kohli has invested in wellness company Hyperice and will also be their brand ambassador. Gallo Images / Getty Images
Indian cricketer Virat Kohli has invested in wellness company Hyperice and will also be their brand ambassador. Gallo Images / Getty Images

Celebrity net worth: How Virat Kohli is banking on wellness to boost his $86m fortune


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Virat Kohli

Indian cricketer Virat Kohli may be stepping down as captain of the country’s T20 national team when the T20 World Cup comes to an end in Dubai in November, but he continues to have a good innings as an investor.

The top-order batsman has invested in wellness start-up Hyperice and joins the team as a global brand ambassador. He will help steer the company’s expansion into India and other markets outside the US and Europe.

The start-up, launched by amateur basketballer Anthony Katz with an ice and compression sleeve in 2010, now includes several recovery and rehabilitation products. Following the acquisition of mental health company Core, it is now repositioning itself as a holistic high-performance wellness brand.

Kohli, 32, is the latest in a line of elite global athlete-investors, including four-time tennis Grand Slam champion and the world’s highest-paid female athlete Naomi Osaka, global football superstar Erling Haaland, Super Bowl MVP Patrick Mahomes, NBA star Ja Morant and PGA Tour champion Rickie Fowler.

“As athletes, the way we train and compete defines us," Kohli said. "Hyperice has provided me with a suite of innovative products that have continuously helped me optimise my performance and recovery, so it was a no-brainer for me to join the team as both an investor and ambassador. Hyperice is on a mission to help people move better around the world, and I look forward to helping tell their story in my home country of India and beyond.”

The cricketer’s portfolio includes investments in a range of Indian start-ups, including mobile gaming unicorn Mobile Premier League, FinTech unicorn Digit Insurance and fashion company Universal Sportsbiz.

Kohli's net worth is conservatively estimated at $86 million.

American musician Drake has invested in Dave's Hot Chicken, a fried-chicken chain. Duncan Chard for the National
American musician Drake has invested in Dave's Hot Chicken, a fried-chicken chain. Duncan Chard for the National

Drake

After investing in vegan chicken earlier this year, Drake is after the real thing – for his investment portfolio, at least. The Canadian musician, 34, has taken a minority stake in Dave’s Hot Chicken, a fried-chicken chain also backed by actor Samuel L. Jackson and Boston Red Sox chairman Tom Werner.

“I tried the food and it was amazing. After meeting the founders and hearing their story, I jumped at the opportunity to invest,” Drake said. He will own less than 50 per cent of the company, but will be among its biggest investors, Bloomberg reported.

Founded in 2017, Dave’s Hot Chicken is a Los Angeles-based street fast casual brand with 22 outlets mostly in California. It hopes to add another 25 restaurants in markets such as Chicago and Houston before the end of the year, on the back of investments worth $10m.

The chain is following a celebrity playbook along the lines of sister company Blaze Pizza, in which NBA superstar LeBron James is an investor.

Dave’s Hot Chicken posted a net loss of $1.9m in 2021 on revenue of nearly $9.1m.

With a menu of sliders, spicy tenders and crinkle-cut fries, the company has sold franchise rights to more than 500 North American locations.

In May, Drake invested in Daring Foods, a vegan brand that aims to reduce the use of chickens in the food ecosystem, as part of a $40m Series B funding round. In 2018, the hip-hop star, whose full name is Aubrey Drake Graham, said he no longer eats meat. Among his other investments are personal finance platform Wealthsimple and sports network Overtime.

US rapper Lil Nas X arrives for the 2021 Met Gala at the Metropolitan Museum of Art earlier this month. With just one album out, Lil Nas X is already worth an estimated $7 million. AFP
US rapper Lil Nas X arrives for the 2021 Met Gala at the Metropolitan Museum of Art earlier this month. With just one album out, Lil Nas X is already worth an estimated $7 million. AFP

Lil Nas X

With just one album out, rapper Lil Nas X is already worth an estimated $7m from music sales over the past three years, according to website Celebrity Net Worth. His income comes from two jobs: as a singer and a songwriter.

Nas X purchased the beat for what became his hit debut single, Old Town Road, from Dutch producer YoungKio for just $30. He then posted the song to a website that provides artists with handsome royalties before it went viral on TikTok.

The original version and its famous remix with country veteran Billy Ray Cyrus later reached No 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, which is based on an aggregate measure of sales, radio play and online streaming.

It is now one of only 58 songs in history to be certified diamond by the Recording Industry Association of America. The ranking attests that a tune has moved at least 10 million equivalent units by way of sales and streaming.

The Atlanta, Georgia native – whose full name is Montero Lamar Hill – repeated the feat with Montero (Call Me By Your Name), earlier this year, while four other songs have had varying levels of chart success.

Nas X is the lead songwriter on every track, a move that ensures he gets paid for both jobs, per song as a writer and per performance as a singer.

The 22-year-old dropped his first full-length album this month and was in top place on the charts at the time of going to press – although a mere 2,500 units separated his debut effort from the album in fifth place, according to Billboard data.

Ariana Grande has launched her own makeup line called R.E.M. Courtesy FilmMagic
Ariana Grande has launched her own makeup line called R.E.M. Courtesy FilmMagic

Ariana Grande

Cosmetic lines have added gloss to the fortunes of numerous celebrities. Joining the likes of Rihanna, Jennifer Lopez and Kendall Jenner is Ariana Grande, who announced the launch of her own beauty brand this month.

Titled R.E.M. after – no, not the 1990s college rock band – a track on her 2018 Grammy-winning album Sweetener, the brand includes eyeliners, liquid eyeshadows and lipsticks inspired by glamour icons from the 1950s to the 1970s, Grande told Allure magazine. A launch date has not been announced.

“You can never have enough make-up, just like you can never have enough music,” she said.

Grande is estimated to be worth $200m, according to Celebrity Net Worth, which assessed her annual income at between $20m to $30m, although she reportedly earned $70m over the 12 months to June 2020. Brand endorsements, appearances in commercials and the sales of seven fragrances round out the earnings of one of the most-streamed female musicians. Grande’s songs are streamed more than 57 million times each month.

Chef Gordon Ramsay has signed a deal with Rupert Murdoch's Fox Entertainment network. AP
Chef Gordon Ramsay has signed a deal with Rupert Murdoch's Fox Entertainment network. AP

Gordon Ramsay

Dubai stalwart Gordon Ramsay will soon be showing up on our screens in a number of new culinary and lifestyle shows after teaming up with Fox Entertainment to launch a new production company called Studio Ramsay Global. The company will develop, produce and distribute lifestyle and cooking shows to markets around the world.

The deal, thought to be worth $150m, involves the Rupert Murdoch-owned network acquiring 100 per cent of Ramsay's current television business, Studio Ramsay, officials said. The new company will operate between London and Los Angeles.

The British chef is currently worth an estimated $220 million, according to Celebrity Net Worth.

Sean "Diddy" Combs paid $35 million for a new home on Star Island, off the coast of Miami. Getty / AFP
Sean "Diddy" Combs paid $35 million for a new home on Star Island, off the coast of Miami. Getty / AFP

Sean “Diddy” Combs

Sean “Diddy” Combs has purchased a new home on the wealthy Star Island community off the coast of Miami for $35m, according to celebrity website TMZ. The six-bedroom set of two homes previously belonged to Gloria and Emilio Estefan.

The American rapper and record producer, 51, has owned the home next door to the Estefans since 2003 and is considering combining the two properties.

The new property includes a two-storey main home and a three-bedroom guesthouse. It was first reported as sold to an anonymous limited liability corporation in August.

The Estefans have had the 1.34-acre estate on the market for close to six years. Called Nena’s Villa, it was a home for Emilio Estefan’s mother before her death. The Latin musicians bought it for $1.8m in 1993 – proving once again that few investments appreciate like property.

I'm excited to partner with Salesforce to create a platform that will advance our collective pursuit of economic justice
Sean “Diddy” Combs,
rapper

Celebrities such as sportsmen Alex Rodriguez and Shaquille O’Neal also have homes on Star Island.

Diddy is estimated to be worth $885m. His interests and investments are largely channelled through his company, Combs Enterprises, and lie in television and film production, beverages, garment lines and fragrances. Last year, he teamed up with JP Morgan Chase to help black entrepreneurs gain access to federal US government coronavirus-related corporate loans.

This autumn, he will launch Shop Circulate, a one-stop digital marketplace for black-owned businesses, in partnership with software company Salesforce.

“Building black wealth starts with investing in black-owned businesses and giving entrepreneurs access to the consumers needed to build sustainable companies that can thrive,” Combs said. “I'm excited to partner with Salesforce to create a platform that will advance our collective pursuit of economic justice.”

Where to Find Me by Alba Arikha
Alma Books 

Islamophobia definition

A widely accepted definition was made by the All Party Parliamentary Group on British Muslims in 2019: “Islamophobia is rooted in racism and is a type of racism that targets expressions of Muslimness or perceived Muslimness.” It further defines it as “inciting hatred or violence against Muslims”.

The Vile

Starring: Bdoor Mohammad, Jasem Alkharraz, Iman Tarik, Sarah Taibah

Director: Majid Al Ansari

Rating: 4/5

UAE's role in anti-extremism recognised

General John Allen, President of the Brookings Institution research group, commended the role the UAE has played in the fight against terrorism and violent extremism.

He told a Globsec debate of the UAE’s "hugely outsized" role in the fight against Isis.

"It’s trite these days to say that any country punches above its weight, but in every possible way the Emirates did, both militarily, and very importantly, the UAE was extraordinarily helpful on getting to the issue of violent extremism," he said.

He also noted the impact that Hedayah, among others in the UAE, has played in addressing violent extremism.

Milestones on the road to union

1970

October 26: Bahrain withdraws from a proposal to create a federation of nine with the seven Trucial States and Qatar. 

December: Ahmed Al Suwaidi visits New York to discuss potential UN membership.

1971

March 1:  Alex Douglas Hume, Conservative foreign secretary confirms that Britain will leave the Gulf and “strongly supports” the creation of a Union of Arab Emirates.

July 12: Historic meeting at which Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid make a binding agreement to create what will become the UAE.

July 18: It is announced that the UAE will be formed from six emirates, with a proposed constitution signed. RAK is not yet part of the agreement.

August 6:  The fifth anniversary of Sheikh Zayed becoming Ruler of Abu Dhabi, with official celebrations deferred until later in the year.

August 15: Bahrain becomes independent.

September 3: Qatar becomes independent.

November 23-25: Meeting with Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid and senior British officials to fix December 2 as date of creation of the UAE.

November 29:  At 5.30pm Iranian forces seize the Greater and Lesser Tunbs by force.

November 30: Despite  a power sharing agreement, Tehran takes full control of Abu Musa. 

November 31: UK officials visit all six participating Emirates to formally end the Trucial States treaties

December 2: 11am, Dubai. New Supreme Council formally elects Sheikh Zayed as President. Treaty of Friendship signed with the UK. 11.30am. Flag raising ceremony at Union House and Al Manhal Palace in Abu Dhabi witnessed by Sheikh Khalifa, then Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi.

December 6: Arab League formally admits the UAE. The first British Ambassador presents his credentials to Sheikh Zayed.

December 9: UAE joins the United Nations.

GIANT REVIEW

Starring: Amir El-Masry, Pierce Brosnan

Director: Athale

Rating: 4/5

Company%20Profile
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THE SPECS

Engine: 3.6-litre V6

Transmission: nine-speed automatic

Power: 310hp

Torque: 366Nm

Price: Dh200,000

Profile

Co-founders of the company: Vilhelm Hedberg and Ravi Bhusari

Launch year: In 2016 ekar launched and signed an agreement with Etihad Airways in Abu Dhabi. In January 2017 ekar launched in Dubai in a partnership with the RTA.

Number of employees: Over 50

Financing stage: Series B currently being finalised

Investors: Series A - Audacia Capital 

Sector of operation: Transport

Titanium Escrow profile

Started: December 2016
Founder: Ibrahim Kamalmaz
Based: UAE
Sector: Finance / legal
Size: 3 employees, pre-revenue  
Stage: Early stage
Investors: Founder's friends and Family

ENGLAND SQUAD

Eoin Morgan (captain), Moeen Ali, Jonny Bairstow, Sam Billings, Jos Buttler, Tom Curran, Alex Hales, Liam Plunkett, Adil Rashid, Joe Root, Jason Roy, Ben Stokes, David Willey, Chris Woakes, Mark Wood

COMPANY%20PROFILE
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Indoor cricket in a nutshell

Indoor Cricket World Cup – Sep 16-20, Insportz, Dubai

16 Indoor cricket matches are 16 overs per side

8 There are eight players per team

There have been nine Indoor Cricket World Cups for men. Australia have won every one.

5 Five runs are deducted from the score when a wickets falls

Batsmen bat in pairs, facing four overs per partnership

Scoring In indoor cricket, runs are scored by way of both physical and bonus runs. Physical runs are scored by both batsmen completing a run from one crease to the other. Bonus runs are scored when the ball hits a net in different zones, but only when at least one physical run is score.

Zones

A Front net, behind the striker and wicketkeeper: 0 runs

B Side nets, between the striker and halfway down the pitch: 1 run

Side nets between halfway and the bowlers end: 2 runs

Back net: 4 runs on the bounce, 6 runs on the full

How does ToTok work?

The calling app is available to download on Google Play and Apple App Store

To successfully install ToTok, users are asked to enter their phone number and then create a nickname.

The app then gives users the option add their existing phone contacts, allowing them to immediately contact people also using the application by video or voice call or via message.

Users can also invite other contacts to download ToTok to allow them to make contact through the app.

 

COMPANY%20PROFILE
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Volunteers offer workers a lifeline

Community volunteers have swung into action delivering food packages and toiletries to the men.

When provisions are distributed, the men line up in long queues for packets of rice, flour, sugar, salt, pulses, milk, biscuits, shaving kits, soap and telecom cards.

Volunteers from St Mary’s Catholic Church said some workers came to the church to pray for their families and ask for assistance.

Boxes packed with essential food items were distributed to workers in the Dubai Investments Park and Ras Al Khaimah camps last week. Workers at the Sonapur camp asked for Dh1,600 towards their gas bill.

“Especially in this year of tolerance we consider ourselves privileged to be able to lend a helping hand to our needy brothers in the Actco camp," Father Lennie Connully, parish priest of St Mary’s.

Workers spoke of their helplessness, seeing children’s marriages cancelled because of lack of money going home. Others told of their misery of being unable to return home when a parent died.

“More than daily food, they are worried about not sending money home for their family,” said Kusum Dutta, a volunteer who works with the Indian consulate.

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Updated: September 26, 2021, 5:00 AM