Celebrities Becoming Lifestyle Gurus

How Lively, who calls Martha Stewart her idol, compares to other celeb gurus.

ByABC News
July 30, 2014, 3:53 PM
Blake Lively is seen in an image from her website, Preserve.us.
Blake Lively is seen in an image from her website, Preserve.us.
Preserve.us

— -- intro: These days it's not enough to be an A-list movie star making millions. Today's top actresses are turning themselves into lifestyle gurus.

Blake Lively is the latest to launch a lifestyle brand. Her website, Preserve, debuted last week.

The "Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants" star told Vogue UK last fall about launching the site:  "I have so many passions outside of acting and things that I grew up being good at and that I don't utilize when acting. Acting was something that my family did so I just kind of got into it by default, but there was so much that I cultivated, thinking that I wouldn't be an actor."

Lively considers the most famous lifestyle guru, Martha Stewart, who helped Lively plan her 2012 wedding to Ryan Reynolds, her idol. But Stewart was baffled as to why Lively would want enter the lifestyle business.

Why Martha Stewart Calls Blake Lively's New Lifestyle Website 'Stupid'

“Let her try," Stewart said in an interview with the Huffington Post. "I don't mean that facetiously! I mean, it's stupid, she could be an actress! Why would you want to be me if you could be an actress? I just did a movie yesterday, though -- I can't even tell you about it -- but I want to be Blake Lively."

Lively's site is drawing the comparisons to Gwyneth Paltrow's Goop. Paltrow was one of the first to start the trend of actresses-turned-lifestyle-gurus. Her brand continues to expand, with a fitness and diet series from her fitness guru, Tracy Anderson, being the latest.

Keep clicking to see how Lively stacks up to Paltrow, Lauren Conrad and more.

quicklist: 1title: Gwyneth Paltrowtext: Lively's site has been mocked since its debut for its over-the-top writing, much like Paltrow's Goop. Both have the same breezy but earnest tone that sometimes has readers laughing out loud or scratching their heads. Paltrow brought us "conscious uncoupling," and Lively signs her first letter from the editor "with excitement and sincerity." Like Paltrow, Lively also emphasizes food, though sundaes and baby back ribs aren't exactly like the healthier fare of Goop. Both push e-commerce filled with outrageously priced items, but Lively's site offers more (affordable) mom-and-pop items. media: 24774602

quicklist: 2title: Lauren Conradtext: Lively's emphasis on artisan items and artists such as New Orleans painter Sarah Ashley Longshore puts her more in line with "The Hills" star Lauren Conrad's lifestyle brand site, The Little Market. Though Conrad's sole focus is selling products of artisans around the world, her mission and Lively's is the same: to do good. The Little Market combines business and social justice, while Preserve, which is a for-profit business, gives a piece of its profit to charities.media: 24777954

quicklist: 3title: Reese Witherspoontext: Reese Witherspoon hasn't yet launched her lifestyle brand, Draper James, but it's already drawing buzz. An official description of the brand promises, "This multi-channel lifestyle brand founded by Reese Witherspoon will emphasize her southern roots and personal style. Though Lively hails from California and not the south like Witherspoon, her site also has a strong southern flair, with features on bow ties, New Orleans and barbecue. media: 24774468