Does Ariana Grande Own R.E.M. Beauty? – A Detailed Guide

Yes, as of 2022 pop icon Ariana Grande owns a controlling stake in her beauty brand R.E.M. Beauty. After launching the brand in partnership with Forma Brands in 2021, Grande acquired assets related to R.E.M. Beauty in a deal worth around $15 million according to industry reports. This acquisition suggests full or majority ownership by the superstar.

In November 2021, music superstar Ariana Grande unveiled her own makeup line, R.E.M. Beauty, in collaboration with beauty incubator Forma Brands. Within its first year, the brand reached nearly $15 million in sales and expanded to major retailers like Sephora according to Women‘s Wear Daily (WWD).

Now in 2022, Grande has taken full ownership of R.E.M. Beauty, adding a new crown jewel to her expanding business empire at just 29 years old.

Let‘s take a detailed look at R.E.M. Beauty‘s origins, performance so far, what the brand means for Grande‘s net worth, and how it fits into her broader portfolio of business ventures.

The Blockbuster Launch of R.E.M. Beauty

R.E.M. Beauty made its hotly anticipated debut in November 2021 with an initial collection of vegan, cruelty-free makeup products priced between $15-$24. This included lipsticks, plumping lip glosses, eyeliners, mascara and more.

According to Forma Brands, the incubator Grande partnered with, R.E.M. Beauty reached $10 million in retail sales within its first six months. It also amassed nearly 1 million Instagram followers before the product reveal.

This blockbuster launch reflects the star power and influence Grande wields over her loyal fan base, especially Gen Z consumers. Her hands-on approach to the brand also connects with customers.

“I enjoy being hands-on with my projects,” Grande told Allure. “I’m very involved in product development, imaging, packaging, modeling, campaigns, etc.”

R.E.M. Beauty‘s Meaning for Fans

The name R.E.M. Beauty holds special meaning for Ariana Grande and her supporters. As Elle explains:

• R.E.M. is the name of a song on Grande‘s 2018 Sweetener album reflecting on a failed relationship.
• It also references rapid eye movement sleep when dreams occur, tying to the brand‘s dreamy aesthetic.

R.E.M. Beauty aims to recreate Grande‘s signature style with products she would use herself. Fans feel a deeper connection to their idol through the brand.

“I wanted to make a beauty line that was reflective of my style and my aesthetics,” Grande told Allure.

Grande Takes Full Ownership of R.E.M. Beauty

Initially Grande partnered with Forma Brands to launch R.E.M. Beauty, with Forma handling business operations.

But in August 2022, Women‘s Wear Daily reported that Grande would acquire assets related to R.E.M. Beauty from Forma Brands in a deal worth around $15 million.

Beauty Packaging estimates Grande‘s ownership stake specifically at 51% or higher. Though exact details are private, this acquisition clearly gives the superstar controlling interest in her namesake brand.

Owning R.E.M. Beauty allows Grande more creative freedom and a larger share of the profits as the brand grows. But this deal also reflects Grande‘s savvy business instincts.

R.E.M. Beauty‘s Sales and Reach Expand

Since its launch, R.E.M. Beauty has shown impressive growth across multiple metrics:

• Nearly $15 million in estimated first year retail sales according to WWD
• Expanded internationally to UK retailer Selfridges in March 2022
• Launched at Sephora stores in 10 markets across Europe in June 2022
• Over 4 million Instagram followers as of September 2022
• 14 products and 100+ SKUs available
• Sold at retailers like Ulta, Morphe, and Grande‘s website

These figures indicate R.E.M. Beauty‘s widespread appeal and performance both in the US and key global markets. As a newer brand, this sales momentum is very positive.

How R.E.M. Beauty Compares to Other Celebrity Brands

R.E.M. Beauty joins several other wildly popular celebrity makeup lines:

• Fenty Beauty by Rihanna – Earned $100 million in first 40 days
• Honest Beauty by Jessica Alba – $1.5 billion valuation in 2021
• Rare Beauty by Selena Gomez – $10 million donated to mental health causes
• Haus Labs by Lady Gaga – Sold in Sephora and Amazon

But R.E.M. stands out by catering directly to Gen Z and Ariana Grande superfans. Products are vegan, clean, cruelty-free and designed for all skin tones. With Grande‘s hands-on approach, fans feel a personal connection.

According to Bloomberg, R.E.M. Beauty could reach Rihanna‘s Fenty Beauty levels in time. It has outperformed other celebrity brand launches so far.

The Immense Earning Power of Ariana Grande

While figures are estimates, R.E.M. Beauty likely contributed significantly to Grande‘s overall earnings profile:

• Grande earned an estimated $20 million total from mid-2021 to mid-2022 according to Forbes.
• Her total net worth is currently estimated at around $200 million.
• From 2018-2019, Grande earned $50-60 million, per CelebrityNetWorth.

Grande supplements her income through touring, merchandising, acting roles, endorsements, and her fragrance line. But R.E.M. Beauty stands to provide recurring revenue as her ownership allows her to reap the rewards of its growth.

Owning R.E.M. Beauty also gives Grande an asset she could one day sell for hundreds of millions based on other celebrity brand valuations.

The Rock Band Behind R.E.M. Beauty‘s Name

While spelled differently, R.E.M. Beauty’s name will also conjure the rock band R.E.M. in many people‘s minds. The band‘s name means rapid eye movement too.

Formed in 1980 in Athens, Georgia, R.E.M. featured singer Michael Stipe, guitarist Peter Buck, bassist Mike Mills and drummer Bill Berry. Their early work helped define the "alternative rock" genre.

Per Billboard, R.E.M. sold over 85 million albums worldwide over their 31-year career, making them one of the world‘s bestselling bands. Their 1992 album Automatic for the People reached #1 on the Billboard 200 chart.

R.E.M. amicably disbanded in 2011. But their music‘s lasting legacy helped inspire the name of Grande‘s dream-like beauty brand.

A Look at Ariana Grande‘s Sprawling Business Empire

At just 29 years old, Ariana Grande has already built an entertainment empire spanning music, beauty, fragrance and more. Some highlights:

• Over 85 million albums sold globally, making her one of music‘s bestselling artists
• Chart-topping hits like “thank u, next” and “7 rings”
• Up to $1-2 million per concert based on her Sweetener World Tour
• Acting roles in Scream Queens, Sam & Cat and the upcoming Wicked film
• Launched her own fragrances through Luxe Brands since 2015
• Partnerships with brands like Givenchy, Reebok, and Starbucks

With full ownership of R.E.M. Beauty, Grande is poised to grow her business ventures even further in the coming decade. She has both creativity and savvy business instincts on her side.

For a young star who broke out less than a decade ago, her rapid success across music, beauty, fashion and film is remarkable.

The Key Takeaway: Grande‘s Growing Business Empire

While still in the early years of her career, Ariana Grande has shown she is not just a chart-topping singer but also an entrepreneur with a strategic vision.

Her full acquisition of R.E.M. Beauty and the brand‘s stellar growth shows she knows how to build a beauty empire that leverages her passion and connects deeply with fans.

As Grande expands her ventures in the future, from touring to acting to new business launches, her net worth and influence seem sure to keep ascending.

R.E.M. Beauty is not just a reflection of the star‘s style, but also her business acumen and drive. With Grande in full control, the brand promises lucrative new opportunities on the horizon.