Derek Zoolander, a model, loses hope when his rival, Hansel, wins the VH1 title of male model of the year. In a bid to revive his career, a designer, Mugatu, offers him a runway show but ends up brainwashing him to kill the prime minister of Malaysia when he reaches the end of the runway.
Everyone knows there’s a lot of celebrities that appear throughout ‘Zoolander’ (2001) – but do you know quite how many cameo appearances there actually are? Take a guess. Here’s a complete list of all the cameo appearances I know of:
Anne Meara
Her role: She plays the part of a protester and shouts “screw you and your little dog too!” at fashion designer Mugatu.
Known for: being Ben Stiller’s real life mum! I always loved her role in TV’s ‘Sex And The City’ as Steve Brady’s mum as well though.
Billy Zane
His role: he plays himself, a friend of Derek Zoolander.
Known for: his role in ‘Titanic’ (1998) – he played Kate Winslet’s horrible fiance.
Claudia Schiffer
Her role: she plays herself, an audience member at the Derelicte fashion show.
Known for: being a German supermodel, who rose to fame in the early 90s. Did you know she’s appeared on more than 1,000 magazine covers AND holds the record for the model with the most magazine covers, listed in the Guinness Book of World Records. Check her!
Cuba Gooding Jnr
His role: he is seen discussing Derek’s hair on a red carpet and says, “It’s almost like the new afro for the white man, but it’s beautiful.”
Known for: starring in ‘Jerry Maguire’ (1996), ‘Rat Race’ (2001) and Daddy Day Camp’ (2007). I always think of him posing as the driver on the ‘I Love Lucy’ convention bus in ‘Rat Race’. So funny.
David Bowie
His role: he announces the rules of the walk-off, between Derek and Hansel.
Known for: being a leading figure in the music industry and is considered to be one of the most influential musicians of the 20th century. I went to an auction of this things in London after he sadly died… he had a very strange taste in art.
David Duchovny
His role: he played the world’s greatest hand model, who helps Derek and Matilda uncover the mass conspiracy in the fashion industry.
Known for: his leading role as Mulder on the TV series ‘The X Files’. Need I say more?
Donald and Melania Trump
Their roles: they appeared on a red carpet, being interviewed about the models.
Known for: being the current US president and his then girlfriend Melania – previously he was a TV personality hosting the US version of ‘The Apprentice’ and a businessman.
Donatella Versace and Heidi Klum
Her role: she accompanies Derek Zoolander to the VH1 Fashion Awards. She then buries her face in her hands as Derek goes onstage to accept the award he has just lost to his rival, Hansel. Heidi Klum also plays herself, and s sitting behind them, and to the left.
Known for: Donatella is known for being an Italian fashion designer and creative director at fashion house Versace. She’s easily recognisable by her bleach blonde hair and very tanned skin. Heidi Klum is a German supermodel and host of the TV show ‘Project Runway’.
Emma Bunton and Victoria Beckham
Their roles: they play themselves, and are interviewed together on the red carpet.
Known for: being one part of the ultimate girl power pop group, the Spice Girls.
Fred Durst
His role: he’s sitting front row at the Derelicte fashion show.
Known for: being the frontman and singer of one of my favourite band’s ever – Limp Bizkit. Which by the way, are one of the best bands I’ve ever seen live.
Gwen Stefani and Gavin Rossdale
Their roles: guests at the VH1 Fashion Awards
Known for: being the singer of the band ‘No Doubt’ and a solo artist who’s now married to musician Gavin Rossdale. They were actually engaged when this was being filmed.
James Marsden
His role: he played Abraham Lincoln’s murderer in a flashback scene.
Known for: his roles in ‘Hairspray’ (2007) and ’27 Dresses’ (2008).
Jennifer Coolidge
Her role: one of the designers at the summit about the planned assasination of the Prime Minister of Malaysia.
Known for: her roles in ‘American Pie’ (1999) and ‘Legally Blonde’ (2000).
Justin Theroux
His role: the evil DJ that challenges Hansel to a break-dancing fight and plays the song that triggers Derek to kill the Prime Minister of Malaysia. He’s an easy one to miss – he’s pretty unrecognizable with dreadlocks.
Known for: being married to acting royalty Jennifer Anniston and his roles in ‘American Psycho’ (2000) and ‘The Girl On The Train’ (2016)
Lance Bass
His role: he’s sitting front row at the Derelicte fashion show.
Known for: being a member of the best 90s boyband ever, N*SYNC.
Lenny Kravitz
His role: telling Derek that Hansel was the actual winner of the “male model of the year” award, after Derek starts his acceptance speech at the podium.
Known for: not only being a reggae singer, but his role as Cinna in ‘The Hunger Games’ (2012)
Lil’ Kim
Her role: shes in the audience at the Derelicte fashion show.
Known for: being an amazing singer and rapper, though she also had roles in films like ‘She’s All That’ (1999). In addition to releasing several studio albums and appearing on Dancing with the Stars, Kim also spent time behind bars.
Mark Ronson
His role: he played the DJ at the male model funeral.
Known for: being a DJ, songwriter, and record producer, known for his collaborations with artists including Amy Winehouse and Adele.
Milla Jovovich
Her role: Mugatu’s lead henchwoman named Katinka Ingabogovinanana.
Known for: for her role in ‘Resident Evil’ (2002) – though did you know she was a fshion designer too?
Natalie Portman
Her role: on the red carpet of the awards show, professing her love for an “almost too good looking” Derek Zoolander. She looks so young here!
Known for: her role in films like ‘Leon’ (1994) and ‘Black Swan’ (2010).
Paris Hilton
Her role: she plays a party girl and socialite. Pretty fitting actually. She tells him, “Hey Derek, you rule”.
Known for: her family’s hotel chain, Hilton, and her appearance on TV shows including ‘The Simple Life’.
Sting
His role: he appears in Hansel’s angel wing as one of Hansel’s heroes. Hansel doesn’t listen to Sting’s music, but appreciates that he makes it.
Known for: being a singer and lead volcalist in the band ‘The Police’.
Tom Ford
Known for: being an amazing American fashion designer, and launching his own brand ‘Tom Ford’ in 2006.
Tyson Beckford
His role: he sits in Zoolander’s corner for the walk-off and offers him a spit bucket.
Known for: being an American model and host of the TV show ‘Make Me A Supermodel’.
Winona Ryder
Her role: she’s seen flirting with Derek. She calls him “courageous” after his accidental award-acceptance incident.
Known for: her role in ‘Heathers’ (1989) and ‘Edward Scissorhands’ (1990) – as well as in the Netflix TV show ‘Stranger Things’.
Vince Vaughn
His role: Derek’s coal miner brother Luke. He isn’t on screen for long, so if you blink you’ll miss it.
Known for: his roles in ‘Wedding Crashers’ (2005) and ‘The Break-Up’ (2006) – though you’ll have seen him in many other comedies, usually alongside fellow actors Owen Wilson and Ben Stiller.
There are so many celebrity cameos in ‘Zoolander’, but to me these are – in my opinion – the biggest celebrity ones. If you like this, or notice I’ve missed any, please leave a comment below.
