Celebrities were all once like us, once upon a time. Let’s look at the not-so-glamorous pasts of some of your favorite celebrities. Here’s a list of 13 Hollywood celebrities who worked in fast food and got fired before they became famous.
13. Seal – Fired From McDonald’s
While Seal has the voice of an angel, he sure didn’t find his calling at McDonald’s. He only lasted two weeks before realizing fast food just wasn’t his cop of tea. While Seal’s Mickey D’s stint was short-lived, he eventually found his path to becoming a world-famous singer with 4 Grammy awards.
12. Jon Gosselin – Let Go From Black Dog Cafe
Jon Gosselin, once a reality TV staple, could have done better in the food industry. He had a promising career as the maître d’ at the Black Dog Cafe in Stouchsburg, Berks County, but things just didn’t work out. His time at the restaurant ended not because of his performance but because the place shut down.
11. Paul Ryan – Bad McDonald’s Employee
Before making a name for himself in politics, Paul Ryan was a quiet and introverted McDonald’s employee who had yet to master the art of the cash register. He’s come a long way since then. Who knew this former Golden Arches crew member would become the 54th speaker of the United States House of Representatives?
10. Kate Walsh – Fired From Burger King
Kate Walsh’s firing from Burger King wasn’t just about her performance. It also involved her interactions with the management team. According to reports, the assistant manager didn’t like her, which eventually got her canned. Lucky for Kate, she eventually found her way as one of the lead stars in the hit TV show Grey’s Anatomy.
9. Madonna – Fired From Dunkin Donuts
Like the rest of us, Madonna had to hustle before becoming the Material Girl Pop Icon we know today. She used to sling donuts at Dunkin Donuts in Times Square. The problem was she wasn’t the best at keeping the jelly inside the donuts, which led to an embarrassing situation with a customer. She got fired right after.
8. Pharrell Williams – Fired From McDonald’s
Pharrell Williams might have needed to be more laid-back for the fast pace of McDonald’s. He had been let go not once, not twice, but three times from our favorite fast food chain. It might be safe to say he was better at eating McNuggets than serving them.
7. Jennifer Aniston – Bad Jackson Hole Employee
America’s sweetheart, Jennifer Aniston, wasn’t always perfect, especially as a waitress in New York City at Jackson Hole Burgers. She might have kept her job, but her serving skills could have been better. Given her repeated incidents of spilling food on customers, it’s surprising she wasn’t let go. Sounds a lot like her character Rachel from Friends.
6. James Franco – Bad McDonald’s Employee
James Franco, a man of many talents, wasn’t exactly an employee of the month at McDonald’s. He used his time behind the counter to perfect his craft—practicing accents on unsuspecting customers. Practicing different accents on customers might have been amusing for him, but not so much for his manager.
5. Nicki Minaj – Fired From Red Lobster
Nicki Minaj’s strong personality once got her fired from Red Lobster. The incident involved a couple who dined at the restaurant and took her pen without her permission. Nicki followed them to the parking lot and made an offensive gesture. This ultimately cost her the job. Guess she was already “spitting fire” in the old days before she became a famous artist.
4. Eva Mendes – Bad Hot Dog On A Stick Employee
Eva Mendes started in the glamorous world of fast food, but her enthusiasm didn’t mean proficiency, especially not at Hot Dog on a Stick. Still, she enjoyed her time earning her own money. While she loved working, her lack of enthusiasm and performance at Hot Dog on a Stick didn’t exactly make her the best employee.
3. Mariah Carey – Bad The Boathouse Cafe Employee
Mariah Carey might hit all the high notes now, but she used to have a hard time catching up with her table service. She didn’t get fired, but she certainly wasn’t an employee of the month. You can say Mariah was a true diva then and now.
2. Rachel McAdams – Bad McDonald’s Employee
Rachel McAdams, a true Hollywood star, might have been too careful for McDonald’s speedy system. Her obsessive hand-washing slowed down her work, which was frustrating for an employer looking for quick service. It’s a good thing Rachel channeled her perfectionism to acting, starring in pop culture classics like Mean Girls and The Notebook.
1. Pink – Bad McDonald’s, Pizza Hut, and Wendy’s Employee
Bringing in the number one spot has to go to Pink. Pink worked at not one, not two, but three fast food chains: McDonald’s, Pizza Hut, and Wendy’s. But she wasn’t exactly the model employee. She once quit Wendy’s after refusing french fry duty, and she’s been known to smoke a few times at the drive-thru window. While Pink’s work style wasn’t so great, it sure made for an unforgettable experience.
And there you have it! In this playful exploration of celebrities’ early stints in the fast food world, we can remind ourselves that no one is immune to humble beginnings.