Top Celebrity-Partnered Protein Brands to Explore in 2026
Protein is experiencing a cultural renaissance, with celebrities seizing the opportunity. From Khloé Kardashian’s popcorn to Venus Williams’ plant-based shakes, a surge of star-endorsed nutrition brands is transforming the snack aisle and turning macros into marketing tools.
By understanding the individuals behind these brands and what distinguishes their products, shoppers can navigate through the noise.
How the Celebrity Protein Boom Functions
The launch formula tends to follow a similar pattern. A celebrity collaborates with (or co-founds) a nutrition company and formulates a product based on a specific protein claim. The emphasis could be on convenience or a specific health benefit like brain support or muscle recovery.
Kardashian’s Khloud line incorporates milk protein isolate into two classic snacks, offering both protein popcorn and protein chips that deliver seven grams of protein per serving.
Writing for Food Network, Sabrina Choudhary commented, “Like the popcorn, Khloud Protein Chips contain seven grams of protein per serving. For context, the Institute of Medicine suggests adults need between 50 to 175 grams of protein daily, depending on various factors including age, body weight, and activity level. (Most Americans are already meeting their protein needs.)”
Khloud popcorn is available in flavors like White Cheddar, Sweet & Salty Kettle Corn, Olive Oil & Sea Salt, Cinnamon Roll, Truffle & White Cheddar, Dill Pickle, and Birthday Cake, alongside a Jalapeño Queso limited release. Its chips come in Nacho, Sweet Heat, and Buffalo varieties.
Which Celebrities Own Protein Brands?
The list continues to expand.
Venus Williams, Happy Viking. The tennis star’s brand focuses on plant-based protein powders and shakes. Per Happy Viking, “The brand’s primary superfood protein and meal replacement powders adhere to a ’30/10 rule,’ providing 30g of plant-based protein (from pea and brown rice) and 10g of fiber per serving. They also incorporate over 100 superfoods, vitamins, probiotics, and DHA-Omega 3s aimed at promoting muscle recovery, brain health, and immunity.”
Patrick Schwarzenegger and Maria Shriver, MOSH. MOSH bars are designed as protein bars with a focus on brain health instead of merely muscle recovery. Flavors include Peanut Butter Chocolate Crunch (Shriver’s pick), Chocolate Brownie Crunch, Cookie Dough Crunch, Blueberry Almond Crunch, Lemon White Chocolate Crunch, Birthday Cake, and Cookies & Cream. The High Protein line offers 20 grams per bar, available in Peanut Butter Cup, Chocolate Sea Salt, and Oatmeal Chocolate Chip.
Mel Robbins, PureGenius Protein. According to the brand, “Pure Genius Protein shots are 100 calories, with zero sugar, zero fat, shelf-stable, gluten-free, and free from artificial flavors or sweeteners. They boast a surprising, fruit-forward flavor, free from chalkiness and akin to drinking juice.” Available flavors include Blueberry Lemonade, Strawberry Guava, Watermelon Berry, Lemon Lime, and Pineapple.
Mark Wahlberg, Performance Inspired. Wahlberg’s brand includes protein powder, protein bars, pre-workout, creatine, and recovery supplements, with whey protein supplying 25 grams per serving. As stated on the brand’s website, Wahlberg co-founded Performance Inspired Nutrition with Tom Dowd after discussing their shared frustration with the lack of clean, effective supplements in the market, alongside concerns over artificial sweeteners, fillers, and synthetic ingredients.
Zac Efron, Kodiak Cakes. Efron has collaborated on an Apple Brown Sugar Pecan Oatmeal for Kodiak Cakes that contains 14 grams of protein per packet. According to PR Newswire, the oatmeal is “packed full of some of Zac’s favorites, including chia seeds, pumpkin seeds, and cranberry seeds,” as well as prebiotic fiber. As reported by Bailey Fink at Allrecipes, Efron stated his intention was “to develop an oatmeal that’s genuinely delicious and healthful,” featuring less sugar and more nutritious ingredients.
Why Consumers Should Care About the Celebrity Protein Trend
This influx of celebrity-backed products is not just a marketing phenomenon; it illustrates how mainstream high-protein eating has become and highlights the premium consumers are ready to pay for a recognizable name on the label.
As Choudhary noted at Food Network, most Americans already consume sufficient protein for their daily requirements. Consequently, this trend is as much about lifestyle branding as it is about nutritional science. Therefore, it is increasingly important to scrutinize labels, compare grams per serving against price, and understand which claims a brand substantively supports.
