Celebrity News August 03, 2012
Gabby Douglas: America's $90-Million It Girl
Gymnast Gabby Douglas, 16, could be looking at a $90-million windfall following her big win at the Summer Olympics.
Gabby, the first African-American woman to win the all-around gymnastics gold, already has deals with Kellogg's Corn Flakes and Procter & Gamble. Industry experts predict up to 30 additional contracts over the next decade at more than $2.4 million a pop, says the New York Post. P & G has already released a video featuring Gabby and her mom Natalie Hawkins called "Raising an Olympian," about the teen's road to the 2012 Games.“She’s the new superstar in sports marketing because she’s got the exact message and image that companies want to be associated with,” Kevin Adler, president of EngageMarketing, told the Post.
Rising to the top isn’t easy. Douglas, who also earned a gold medal in the team competition, touched on her journey during a recent interview with “Today’s” Savannah Guthrie.
"It took a lot of hard days in the gym and determination, passion and drive,” she said. “Gold medals are made out of your sweat, blood and tears, and effort in the gym every day, and sacrificing a lot that you have to do.”
