---
title: Lady Gaga Becomes CEO of Haus Labs, Weeks After the Brand Apologized for a Six-Shade Bronzer
description: Lady Gaga is now CEO of Haus Labs after co-founder Ben Jones left in October. Why the move is rare, and the bronzer apology that came first.
author: Dr Marina Nani (Editor-in-Chief)
date: 2026-11-03T13:00:51.319Z
updated: 2026-11-03T13:00:51.343Z
canonical: https://richwoman.co/article/lady-gaga-haus-labs-ceo
image: https://cdn.nanimediahouse.com/pexels-7290178.webp
categories: Business, The Corner Office, Beauty & Style
content_type: News
region: United States
publication: Rich Woman Magazine
about:
  - type: Person
    name: Lady Gaga
  - type: Organization
    name: Haus Labs
    description: American vegan and cruelty-free makeup brand founded by Lady Gaga. It launched on Amazon in 2019 as Haus Laboratories and relaunched in 2022 as Haus Labs by Lady Gaga, sold through Sephora. Lady Gaga became its chief executive in October 2026.
    url: https://www.hauslabs.com
    foundingDate: 2019-01-01T00:00:00.000Z
    industry: Cosmetics
---

Lady Gaga is now the chief executive of Haus Labs, the makeup brand she launched in 2019. The Business of Fashion reported on 29th October that the appointment takes effect immediately and follows the exit of co-founder and former CEO Ben Jones, who left the company earlier in October.

Gaga, whose legal name is Stefani Germanotta, has led the brand's creative direction and product development from the start. As CEO, she also takes charge of the commercial side of the business.

'Ben and I started Haus Labs together eight years ago, and I'm incredibly proud of what we've built,' Gaga said in a statement. 'I'm excited to take on a more active role in the company and work alongside our incredible team to build on everything we've accomplished together.'

## Why a celebrity CEO is rare

Famous founders usually keep a creative title and hire an operator to run the company. Inc. called Gaga's move remarkably rare for a celebrity, and MediaPost noted that actors, musicians and influencers with business ventures tend to take roles such as chief creative officer instead.

Jones ran Haus Labs from its incorporation in 2018. Before that, he was chief digital officer at The Honest Company, the consumer goods business founded by Jessica Alba. The reports on his departure did not give a reason for it.

## Two launches in eight years

Haus Laboratories debuted in 2019 as the first beauty brand to launch exclusively on Amazon. In 2022, Gaga and Jones relaunched it as Haus Labs by Lady Gaga, with new branding and a reformulated line built around skincare ingredients, vegan formulas and cruelty-free practices, and moved it into Sephora. Sephora has since taken the brand into Europe, including France, Spain, Germany and Italy.

## The bronzer apology that came first

Gaga takes over a few weeks after a public misstep. Haus Labs had planned to launch its Sun Dipped Bronzing Veil in July in six shades. Content creators, led by beauty influencer Golloria George, criticized the range for leaving out darker skin tones, and the company asked George to remove her post on the grounds that she was under embargo.

In early October, Haus Labs posted an apology on its social media channels. It called the six-shade decision wrong, described the request to George as unkind, paused the launch and said the bronzer would return with 11 shades. 'You were 100% right,' the statement told George and the brand's community.

## Beyond makeup

Haus Labs is not Gaga's only beauty business. She is also a co-founder, with entrepreneur Michael Polansky, of Outer Bio, a company researching new approaches to skin health through its discovery platform, Yuna. Outer Bio announced itself publicly in August 2026.

## FAQ

**Q: Who is the CEO of Haus Laboratories?**
Lady Gaga became chief executive of Haus Labs, formerly called Haus Laboratories, in October 2026, effective immediately. She replaced co-founder Ben Jones, who had run the company as CEO since it was set up in 2018 and left in October 2026.

**Q: Is Lady Gaga the owner of Haus Labs?**
Lady Gaga founded Haus Labs and is now its CEO. The company is privately held and has taken outside investment, including from the venture firm Lightspeed, and it does not publish a breakdown of who owns what share.