The “Prada Curse”: A Look at Scandals Involving the Brand's Celebrity Ambassadors

Prada, a renowned luxury fashion brand, has been associated with numerous celebrities over the years. However, a pattern has emerged where several of these ambassadors have become entangled in significant controversies, leading to public discussions about a so-called "Prada Curse."

Nagano Mei's Alleged Affair

Japanese actress Nagano Mei, a long-time Prada ambassador, was recently accused of having an affair with a married man and simultaneously dating a Korean actor. Despite the allegations, there has been no official statement from Prada regarding her status with the brand.

Red Velvet’s Irene and the Attitude Controversy

In 2020, the same year she became a Prada ambassador, Red Velvet's Irene faced backlash over reports of poor behavior towards a stylist. She publicly apologized for the incident. Following this, there were no further mentions of her association with Prada, suggesting that her contract may have ended.

Zheng Shuang's Surrogacy and Tax Evasion Scandals

Chinese actress Zheng Shuang, known for her role in "Meteor Shower," was involved in a surrogacy scandal where she was accused of abandoning her children born via surrogacy in the U.S. after a breakup. Additionally, she faced tax evasion charges. Prada terminated her ambassadorship shortly after these controversies came to light.

Kim Soo Hyun's Controversial Allegations

Actor Kim Soo Hyun was dropped by Prada following allegations of an inappropriate relationship with underaged actress Kim Sae Ron. The brand released a statement addressing the ongoing controversy and ended their association with him.

Li Yifeng's Prostitution Charges

Chinese actor Li Yifeng, once ranked 9th on Forbes China's Celebrity list, was detained in 2022 for allegedly soliciting prostitution. He confessed to the charges, leading Prada to sever ties with him shortly thereafter.

EXO’s Chanyeol's Cheating Allegations

EXO member Chanyeol faced accusations of cheating on his girlfriend with over ten women during their relationship. While the scandal affected public sentiment, there was no official announcement from Prada regarding the status of his ambassadorship.

Kai Ko's Marijuana Scandal

Taiwanese actor Kai Ko was signed by Prada shortly before his 2014 marijuana scandal. Despite the controversy, he has continued his acting career with several recent projects.

Cai Xu Kun's Personal Controversy

Chinese star Cai Xu Kun, formerly of the idol group Nine Percent, was rumored in 2023 to have impregnated a woman and paid for her abortion. Allegations also surfaced that his mother hired a private detective to follow the woman. Cai admitted to the relationship and the abortion being consensual. Prada ended their partnership with him, but he was later signed by Versace in 2024.