Photos: Rio Olympics athletes who could win fashion and beauty deals
Who can identify the sport that Pita Nikolas Aufatofua was competing in at the Rio 2016 Summer Olympics? It probably doesn’t matter because he’ll be forever remembered as the oiled-up, shirt-off flag bearer for Tonga. Even if he doesn’t win a medal, he could snare an endorsement. “It’ll probably be on the cheesier side of things than a prestigious commercial,” said Andy Hohl, who manages athletes such as Laird Hamilton at Artist & Brand Management in Los Angeles.
(Semansky/AP/REX/Shutterstock / Semansky/AP/REX/Shutterstock)A look at Rio Olympics athletes who could win fashion and beauty deals.
Having won two gold medals and a bronze at the London 2012 Summer Olympics, Aly Raisman arrived at this year’s games in Rio with endorsements from Aeropostale and other brands. With her natural charm, as seen in a silly selfie taken after the women’s team won the gold medal, she could be on her way to add more deals.
(Julio Cortez/AP/REX/Shutterstock / Julio Cortez/AP/REX/Shutterstock)Tying with Canada’s Penny Oleksiak in the 100-meter freestyle race, Simone Manuel made history — and turned out as a surprise star — when she became the first African-American women to win an individual swimming competition at the Olympics. The tears she shed over her victory endeared her to those watching.
(Pisarenko/AP/REX/Shutterstock / Pisarenko/AP/REX/Shutterstock)Bros and Olympic champions, Ryan Lochte and Michael Phelps will always be. But as bankable frontmen for brands? The breakout star of the London 2012 Summer Olympics, Lochte snagged his own reality TV show and an ad campaign with Calvin Klein. His personality didn’t seem to resonate with the public, however. Phelps has lucrative deals with brands such as Under Armour. But his two past DUIs and leaked bong-smoking photos don’t make him the most squeaky clean spokesman.
(Matt Slocum/AP/REX/Shutterstock / Matt Slocum/AP/REX/Shutterstock)Ronda Rousey confessed to having suffered a panic attack the day after she won a bronze medal in judo at the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics. She picked herself back up, and morphed into a successful UFC fighter and role model for women. For the past two years, she’s also served as a brand ambassador and unofficial jeans fit model for Buffalo David Bitton.
(David Becker / Getty Images for Buffalo David B)At 17, Sydney McLaughlin became the youngest athlete to make the American track and field Olympics team since 1972. The high school senior from New Jersey is also at the start of what could be a promising career as a celebrity spokesmodel. The honor of being named the Gatorade Female Athlete of the Year entailed the printing of her photo on the popular energy drink. She also smiled big in a floral minidress when she was singled out at this year’s ESPY Awards.
(J. Phillip/AP/REX/Shutterstock / J. Phillip/AP/REX/Shutterstock)Shaunae Miller and her aqua-tinted hair first walked across the small screen when she carried the flag for the Bahamas in the 2016 Rio Olympics’ opening ceremony. Her dive across the finish line in the 400-meter sprint earned her a gold medal and a memorable meme. Still, when it comes to building a fan following, a little meme can go a long way.
(Matt Slocum/AP/REX/Shutterstock / Matt Slocum/AP/REX/Shutterstock)Iconix Brand Group’s Vinny Nesi, who works on athletic brands such as Starter and Umbro, views beach volleyball players April Ross and Kerri Walsh Jennings as role models. “They’re not teenagers and they relate to every woman,” he said.
(Jose Sanchez/AP/REX/Shutterstock / Jose Sanchez/AP/REX/Shutterstock)