As one of the most well-known luxury brands, PRADA has a host of celebrities who represent the brand. However, there seems to be a “curse” that has affected many of the brand’s associated stars.
Known as the “PRADA Curse,” an unusually high number of the brand’s Asian representatives have either been involved in career-shaking scandals or even faced legal issues. Here are several of the known instances.
1. Nagano Mei
Nagano Mei was recently accused of having an affair with a married man, in addition to two-timing with a Korean actor.
The actress has been an ambassador for Prada for many years, and no announcement on her status changing with them has been made.
2. Red Velvet’s Irene
Red Velvet‘s Irene was involved in a poor attitude controversy in 2020, the same year she was announced to be an ambassador for Prada.
Red Velvet’s Irene Personally Apologizes To Stylist For Her Poor Attitude Controversy
The idol’s contract with Prada appears to have expired, as there was no other mention afterwards.
3. Zheng Shuang
Chinese actress Zheng Shuang appeared in the drama Meteor Shower and had a very successful career that included a Prada ambassadorship.
However, the actress was involved in a surrogacy scandal that alleged she abandon her children born through a surrogate in America after her relationship with her boyfriend ended. She was also involved in tax evasion scandals and dropped by Prada a week after the surrogacy scandal broke.
4. Kim Soo Hyun
Actor Kim Soo Hyun was dropped by Prada after allegations of him having a relationship with an underaged Kim Sae Ron came to light.
Prada Release Statement Regarding Kim Soo Hyun’s Ongoing Controversy
5. Li Yifeng
Chinese actor Li Yifeng had a successful career that included ranking 9th on Forbes China Celebrity list in 2015.
The actor’s career was put on hold in 2022, when he was detained by police for allegedly soliciting prostitution. He confessed his guilt and was dropped from his Prada ambassadorship shortly after the scandal broke.
6. EXO’s Chanyeol
EXO‘s Chanyeol was accused of allegedly cheating on his girlfriend with over 10 girls throughout their relationship.
The scandal inspired negative public sentiment, though he was not officially dropped by Prada.
7. Kai Ko
Taiwanese actor Kai Ko was signed by Prada right before his marijuana scandal in 2014.
His career has continued after the scandal, with several recent works until his belt.
8. Cai Xu Kun
Chinese star Cai Xu Kun gained popularity after debuting in the idol group Nine Percent and has remained a top star since.
In 2023, it was rumored that Cai Xu Kun had gotten a woman pregnant and paid her after she aborted the child, with her alleging the star’s mother paid to have her trailed by a private detective. Cai Xu Kun admitted that he had a relationship with the woman but that it and the abortion were both consensual.
His relationship with Prada ended, but in 2024 he was signed by Versace.
While there are plenty of stars connected to Prada that have not had scandals like these, it does stand out as an unexpected phenomenon.