Lady Gaga named CEO after Haus Labs shade backlash

Lady Gaga has taken on the role of chief executive officer of her beauty brand, Haus Labs, following the departure of co-founder and former CEO Ben Jones earlier this month.

The singer said she was looking forward to becoming more involved in the company’s operations and working closely with its team to expand the brand. She also expressed confidence in its future, saying she had a clear vision for its next phase of growth.

The leadership change comes weeks after Haus Labs faced criticism over the limited shade range of its upcoming bronzer product, Sun Dipped Bronzing Veil. Beauty influencers and social media users questioned the brand’s inclusivity, particularly the lack of options for people with darker skin tones.

The product was initially scheduled to launch with six shades. Following the backlash, Haus Labs apologised publicly and announced plans to increase the range to 11 shades.

In its statement, the company accepted responsibility for the decision and acknowledged that launching with only six options had been a mistake. It also said internal discussions had taken place to identify what went wrong and help prevent similar issues in the future.

Haus Labs was co-founded by Gaga and Jones in 2019 under the name Haus Laboratories. The cosmetics line initially launched as an Amazon-exclusive brand before undergoing a major rebranding in 2022.

Under its new identity, the company shifted its focus towards vegan, cruelty-free and clean beauty products, establishing a stronger presence in the cosmetics market.

Gaga’s latest appointment signals a more active role in the business as it works to strengthen its position following the recent controversy. The decision also places the singer at the centre of the company’s leadership as it prepares for its next stage of development.

Beyond Haus Labs, Gaga has also ventured into scientific innovation. She recently co-founded Outer Bio, a bioactives discovery platform, with her fiancé, entrepreneur Michael Polansky.