London – Kim Kardashian proudly announced that she “broke the internet” last year with a picture of her butt. But an app that she announced with much less fanfare has had a far bigger impact – and looks set to change the world of celebrity forever.
Kim Kardashian: Hollywood earned £46 million (R847m) in less than a year, with Kardashian herself taking home a reputed £20m. The app is simple – a free game in which players model clothes and attend star-studded events, buying game currency along the way.
Katy Perry is talking to Glu (developers of Hollywood) about launching her own title. Lindsay Lohan’s The Price Of Fame is similar to Kardashian’s app, while Jamie Oliver use apps to sell spruced-up, video-heavy versions of his recipe books – or as standalone vehicles to promote exclusive videos.
Analysts believe the surge in apps is due to stars being willing to take a share of profits rather than fees up front, tempting game and app developers to work with existing stars.
Taylor Swift: Taylor Swift – IOS/Android, Free
Swift was ahead of the pack when it came to apps, releasing one where you could customise Swift-themed greetings cards last year. This offers an introduction to Swift, with biog, pictures, preview video and constantly updated news feed. It’s like the star’s website, but on your smartphone.
Justin Bieber: Kiss – IOS/Android, Free
Justin Bieber’s fans are clearly a perfect market for apps – this is one of several that the pint-sized singer offers. It’s a simple game, which mostly involves tapping on screen and waiting, with the end goal being to kiss him. A bare-bones production (Bieber looks more like a drawing of a Ken doll than anything approaching his actual appearance) and you can conduct a chaste romance with him by tapping in the app, or by paying up to £23 for coins to speed up the kissing process.
Lindsay Lohan: The Price of Fame – IOS, Free
Lohan’s game was programmed by Andy Ross from the US alternative rock band OK Go, and is like Kardashian’s – a simple depiction of the world of celebrity, where players paw at the screen to get ahead. Swiping on-screen earns you more fans – which players can top up by buying publicists, pointless trinkets (which make your fans love you more) and paid-for friends. Players can speed it up by buying extra fans.
Nigella Lawson: Nigellissima – IOS, Free
Nigellissima is a slimmed-down cookbook that offers videos, text and information, updated with seasonal dishes, but not as many as a real, paid-for cookbook. There are 13 Italian-inspired recipes from the new book, as well as unique behind-the-scenes videos such as a Q&A with Nigella. You can also browse Nigella’s Latin Loves, her must-have Italian ingredients and implements, shot in interactive 360º photography.
Jamie Oliver: Jamie’s Recipes – IOS/Android, £2 a month
Jamie’s recipe apps have been downloaded millions of times, but the new Jamie’s Recipes app pioneers a new approach. There are 15 free recipes, with video instructions, and a feature where you can create a shopping list. To access the full list of 3 000 recipes, with weekly updates from Jamie, users pay a subscription.
Daily Mail