How a lot are Taylor Swift‘s legs price? What about Gordon Ramsay‘s tongue, Nick Cannon‘s balls and J.Lo’s butt? All these movie star physique components reportedly have been insured for hundreds of thousands simply in case one thing goes improbably but horribly fallacious.
However as you’ll quickly uncover, whereas some tales of movie star legal responsibility protection are legit, most have been both one-time publicity stunts or have been debunked. (Which of the above examples are bogus? The reply, as they are saying, might shock you.)
Take the current wild story that Cannon, father of 12, simply obtained a coverage defending his nuts for $10 million, lest the world be denied extra Cannon fodder. “Haters say it’s time for me to cease having children and put this tremendous sperm to relaxation, however I’m doubling down on these invaluable balls,” Cannon declared. The coverage is seemingly actual, however it’s additionally to advertise a line of ball-care merchandise.
This report is much like porn studio Brazzers taking out a 2012 coverage on their star Keiran Lee that insured his penis for $1 million (or, as we’re duty-bound to make clear for the curious: $100,000 per inch). As Lee assured followers on the time, “I don’t plan on shedding my penis anytime quickly.”
Right here’s a extra harmless instance: In 2007, America Ferrera made headlines for her smile getting insured for $10 million, but it was all a part of a promotion for Aquafresh. “It’s very flattering,” Ferrera stated, “[and] not one thing I ever imagined occurring.”
Ferrera’s coverage was by way of Lloyds of London, which has positioned itself because the go-to movie star body-part insurer for the reason that Forties, again when it insured Betty Grable’s legs for $1 million. It’s not often reported what potential calamities well-known appendages are literally insured towards (Fireplace? Flood? Certainly not theft!). Skeptics level out that normal long-term incapacity insurance coverage can cowl a performer changing into disabled, however the place’s the enjoyable in a coverage that doesn’t single out your greatest recognized asset?
Extra plausible examples embody singers who’ve allegedly taken out insurance policies towards the specter of shedding their voice. In 2010, Time reported that Bruce Springsteen insured his voice for $6 million. (The Boss has by no means confirmed this.)
Extra just lately, Ramsay reportedly insured his tongue for $10 million ought to his skilled palate diminish. Judging by Ramsay’s new frozen meals line, the chef would possibly already actually have a declare. Ramsay had no touch upon the report, however “style insurance coverage” is an actual factor amongst some high-value cooks and tasters. As soon as once more, many examples edge into the realm of self-promotion — akin to main wine taster Ilja Gort insuring his nostril for $8 million in 2008.
There are also a number of fashions and singer-dancers who’ve had insurance policies on their legs. Supermodel Heidi Klum confirmed a consumer gave her a legs coverage price a mixed $2 million. Unusually and sadly, Klum famous on The Ellen DeGeneres Present final yr that one stem was valued at $200,000 lower than the opposite attributable to a childhood accident that resulted in a scar she routinely covers with make-up, which makes you marvel what sort of heartless Lloyds underwriter takes their job that critically. Rihanna likewise had a $1 million legs coverage taken out by Gillette once they named her Celeb Legs of a Goddess in 2007.
However maybe essentially the most oft-reported legs coverage is Swift getting her gams insured for $40 million in 2015 forward of her 1989 tour. That this story originated in The Nationwide Enquirer hasn’t stopped its unfold. Swift hasn’t confirmed or denied it, however did handle the headline in the easiest way attainable whereas tweeting a photograph of her scratched leg and referencing considered one of her cats: “Nice work Meredith. I used to be simply making an attempt to like you and now you owe me 40 million {dollars}.”
Different well-known examples of body-part insurance coverage have been outright denied. In 2022, Dolly Parton busted a long-standing rumor she insured her 40DD breasts for $600,000. The identical yr, after greater than a many years of tales claiming Julia Roberts insured her megawatt smile for $30 million, the actress advised The New York Occasions Journal: “If my smile was insured, there can be somebody at my home on a nightly foundation saying, ‘It is advisable to floss longer.’ ”
Equally, there lengthy have been experiences that Jennifer Lopez insured her butt for $27 million (admittedly, we actually wished this to be true). However in 2020, she mocked the thought to James Corden, saying, “There isn’t a such factor as that.” Kim Kardashian is likewise reported to have insured her tush for $21 million in 2014, however sources inform us this report can be false.
So whereas insurance coverage can present celebrities with loads of safety, you may by no means actually cowl your ass.
This story first appeared within the June 19 problem of The Hollywood Reporter journal. Click on right here to subscribe.