A few weeks ago my friend Joy, who wrote this epic post on the celebrities she corresponded with during her childhood (sometimes one-sidedly), emailed me to suggest I write a story about the Pinterest accounts maintained by celebrities. I loved the idea, but I'd say my Pinterest game is maybe 40% at best, so I suggested that Joy write what she knew and publish the piece somewhere awesome. She opted to publish it on Zulkey.com instead.
I could tell you that I'm on Pinterest every night because part of my job is doing social media, but that would be a lie. I'm on Pinterest all the time because I'm a pinning addict.
Apparently 28 percent of adult Internet users--or 22 percent of entire adult population--use the social bookmarking website regularly too. Some of those users are celebs, and sometimes you accidentally find one when you're searching for a new protein-packed smoothie recipe.
Many celebs are active and engage with fans on Twitter and Facebook, so it's not a shock that these same peeps who smile from the covers of magazines lining grocery store checkout aisles also use Pinterest to control their image and maintain their brand:
- Ellen DeGeneres pins to "adorable animals" and "bad paid for photos"
- Oprah pins to "Oprah's favorite things" and "what to read next"
- Gwyneth Paltrow pins to "BE well" and "DO detox"
I get it. For these icons (or these icons' PR teams who pin crap to their Pinterest accounts), sharing expected stuff make the most sense.
Apparently Emma Stone gets it too. She has a fake account, since you can't use Pinterest on the DL with a private profile. She adorably revealed to Jimmy Fallon last spring that she secretly pins so that she can save as many aspirational sayings as she wants without judgment. "Just pick yourself up by the bootstraps!" -- I hear ya, girl.
But here's the thing: what makes Pinterest extra fun is when you are hunting for an upcycled men's tie project, and you bump into a pin from a celeb who hasn't hidden their account under a fake name. Better still is when you click through to that celeb's profile and see from her boards that she's experimenting with the social network, pinning her most recent desires and latest would-be projects, just like the rest of us.
Here's a rundown of some notable folks with active accounts that I've noticed while pinning. One caveat: Some of these may not be real. The biggest drawback to non-PR-run celeb accounts is not knowing for certain if they're authentic. That's why I'm starting this list with a sure thing: Boy George.
I stumbled onto the karma chameleon's Pinterest account last month, and it is likely real because of the cross-posting he's done from his official Twitter account. As for the others listed below? That's anyone's guess. If I'm wrong, don't tell me. I'd like to believe. Do you really want to hurt me? Do you really want to make me cry?
Boy George has only 2,642 followers, which is a shame. He has so much to give, and the culture clubber is not afraid to use exclamation points liberally to express himself while doing so. He is also not too self-important to use puns or make jokes, especially when it comes to naming his boards, e.g. "Jean Paul Genius."
What to expect: Come for the collection of healthy semi-veg recipes, stay for the amazing eyeliner tips and tons of unintentionally hilarious photos of semi-naked men. #OyGeorge
Side note: If, like Boy George, you love Jean Paul Gaultier, this is the icon's account. For even more high-end fashion on Pinterest, you can spy on Anna Sui, Isaac Mizrahi, Zac Posen, Stella McCartney, and Cynthia Rowley.
If her real name doesn't ring a Bel-Air, don't worry. You'll know her by onscreen character's name: Aunt Viv. Yes, that's right. The second lady to play the Fresh Prince's beloved sassy aunt is a pinner.
What to expect: These days Reid calls herself a photographic artist, and she started a business called "Fresh Prints" (say it out loud). Her boards reflect her new shutterbug career path, and they mostly focus on jazzy photography. Tatyana Ali, who portrayed her Fresh Prince daughter Ashley, has an account too, but it's not nearly as noteworthy. If pix of dreamy getaways are your thing, her boards with colorful pins are just the thing you need when you're chillin' out, maxin', and relaxin' all cool on Pinterest. #Fresh
Leeza GibbonsDonald Trump gives me the heebie jeebies, but I love his show Celebrity Apprentice. Talk show host Leeza Gibbons apparently doesn't mind him as she won the most recent season of the show.
I spotted her name attached to a pin, and it caught my attention because I thought the graphic said "Insta-CRAP." How could anyone resist clicking? I expected to find an uncharacteristically snide collection of crappy photos from Instagram, but the misleading typography actually read "Insta-SCRAP" and it was only a promotional link to Gibbons' scrapbooking stuff via Instagram. Bummer.
What to expect: If you're into positive thinking (I'm looking at you, secret pinner Emma Stone), Gibbons' pins are perfect. She doesn't have just one board for aspirational sayings. She has three: "Words that Touch My Heart," "SO True!," and "Wise Words." #YoureHired
Side note: For a talk show host recommendation who doesn't like Donald Trump, try Rosie O'Donnell. The comedian has pinned surprisingly few craft projects, but maybe now that she's done with the View she'll have more time for Pinterest?
Out of all the Full House girls, I always thought it would be the child star who played Kimmi Gibbler who would make headlines while transitioning to adulthood, but it was actually perky middle child Stephanie Tanner, aka actress Jodie Sweetin, who ran into trouble. Thankfully, with her problems seemingly behind her, Sweetin has moved on to do "normal" things, like spending free time on Pinterest.
What to expect: Sweetin mostly shares sweet stuff to help her be a good mom to her kids, but she sadly doesn't even have one pin or re-pin of a photo of (Uncle) Jesse & the Rippers. #HaveMercy
Side note: Attention other children of the late 80s/early 90s--Punky Brewster also has a Pinterest addiction, but Soleil Moon Frye's account doesn't have the same triumph of the underdog feel that Sweetin's does. On the other hand, Mayim Bailik, aka Blossom, has an account that is charmingly personal, but it's updated infrequently.
Michelle Visage
RuPaul's BFF and copodcaster keeps it believable on her boards. Everything I've seen on her Pinterest page makes sense to who she seems to be. The only weirdness is on her board called "Mommy things," which contains just one pin. If I were one of her two daughters, I would be certain she was just trying to embarrass me with this pin featuring advice for how to cure UTIs, toenail fungus, blemishes, and more.
What to expect: Lots of fitness and health tips, but very little drag goodness. That is, unless you want to count the board called "My heroes," which only includes pictures of Madonna all done up. #OhNoSheBetterDont
Karen Elson's Pinterest bio says that she is a "singer, professional day dreamer, clothes horse, and puppet on strings," but I think of her as Jack White's stylish supermodel ex-wife. Interestingly, both Elson's impression of who she is as well as mine is reflected in what she pins.
What to expect: Fashion galore and beautiful vintage imagery alongside pretty portraits of iconic strong women. And, unlike Jack White's rider, there's no guacamole recipe to be found. #GetBehindMeSatin
Do you still watch Glee? I confess, I wanted to like the show more than I did, and I lost interest after the first season. Perhaps it's my age. At this point in my life, revisiting high school is not my idea of a good time. What I haven't lost interest in? Following the show's blonde beauty Dianna Argon's Pinterest profile.
What to expect: Her honest bio says it all: "I'm addicted to Pinterest, and I'm not ashamed." Her pins include a little bit of everything, from charming quotes paired with photos to quirky snaps of animals wearing costumes. #SimplyFabraylous
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Some final pinteresting observations--
Guess who Sofia Vergara follows? Diet Pepsi, of course. No follow for Head & Shoulders, though.
Holly Robinson Peete likes "funky ass handbags" and "my dolls." Not shocking: There aren't any breakfast recipes since she runs her household on Carnation breakfast drinks.
Corin Tucker thinks Prince is one of the best songwriters ever. I think it's her, Carrie Brownstein, and Janet Weiss. Sleater-Kinney forever!
Arianna Huffington has a board called "Sleep Your Way to the Top," but it's just unsexy pins of meditation tips and bedding ideas.
Cree Summer is just as awesome as you remember, if like me you crushed on the actress's playful style during her days on A Different World.
Lena Dunham loves her some girls, specifically Helen Mirren and Amber Tamblyn. I approve.
How about a little Gossip Girls gossip? Chace Crawford's supposed account has three pins. It's the same snap of him at a Samsung Galaxy event in Dallas posted three times. Blake Lively's "Film, Music & Books" contains one entry, and it's Justin Timberlake. Leighton Meester has a board called "My Style," and the dominant image is of Blake Lively. Props to Kelly Rutherford. The class act has a whole board with links to her favorite charities.
Jackie Collins' "Back in the Day" board is full of the most glamorous portraits from the 80s and earlier. A definite must-see for fans of the author (and her sister, aka Alexis Morell Carrington Colby Dexter Rowan).
You know that saying "everyone and their mother." Well, everyone and their mother are on Pinterest. Here are some familial accounts: The Kutchers (Ashton and his siblings Michael and Tausha); the Thiessens (Tiffiani and her mom Robyn); the Duffs (sisters Hilary and Haylie); the Heigls (Katherine and Nancy); and the Bensons (Ashley and her mom Shannon). Plus, I almost forgot: Katherine Schwarzenegger and her mom Maria Shriver, as well as Ryan Gosling's sister Mandi Gosling.
Jennifer Weiner will tell you the secrets behind her most loved (and most hated) cover art in her board "Judging my books by their covers."
Channing Tatum's Pinterest page used to be a lot different, but he (or his team) recently cleaned up his boards and deleted a lot of old pins. Fear not, though. There are still a ton of cute dog photos to be seen.
Alanis Morrissette only follows two other pinners: Huffington Post and Whole Foods.
Judy Greer is a Mary Tyler Moore fangirl. Totally perfect.
I love that Julie Benz keeps it real, using her bio space to reveal her reasons for using Pinterest: "just a few things I found while avoiding life....."
Keith Urban has pinned a lot of Keith Urban pins.
Michelle Branch jams to Lana Del Rey, the Monkees, Bo Diddley, and Gotye.
Ashley Tisdale and Vanessa Hudgens keep it professional. Both uploaded custom photos with overset typographic labels for each of their boards. Those years with Disney clearly taught them a lot about the importance of good graphics.
 Before she died, Joan Rivers pinned a lot of bling. Miss her!
Wonder what's on Sports Illustrated swimsuit model Molly Sim's "Trends I'm Loving" board? It's not bikinis, but overalls!
If you want your feed to always feature something new when you log in, follow Courtney Love. She's prolific (24,577pins to date)!
Jamie Lynn Spears has a board called "Random" with mostly candid pictures of herself wearing really cute black-frame nerd glasses.
Kim Coles is nostalgic. She likes bunches of pins featuring cute photos of her with the rest of the fun Living Single cast. Queen Latifah has an account, too, but it's not as much fun because it's branded and seems to be managed by her social media team.
Ann Romney likes nothing.
When she's not browsing Pinterest for silly photos, Joy Olivia Miller uses her account to save craft ideas for projects she'll never make and recipes for fattening desserts, like these easy-to-make cookies.
robin
Diana Agron, not Argon