Why Julia Roberts and Madonna don’t have stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame

For many, earning a star on Hollywood’s Walk of Fame is seen as proof that a celebrity has truly left their mark on the entertainment industry. Yet, surprisingly, some of the biggest names in the world don’t have one.

The process itself is not simple either, a nominee must be put forward by someone else, agree to it and then pay $40,000 for the star.

Their career, awards and charity work are all reviewed and they must also attend a public ceremony to unveil their star within five years. If they don’t the nomination is cancelled and the whole process has to start again, which discourages many celebrities.

Here are two most famous celebrities who don't have a Hollywood Walk of Fame star:

Julia Roberts

Take Julia Roberts, one of Hollywood’s most celebrated actresses who is missing from the Walk of Fame, Known worldwide for her unforgettable performances in classics like Pretty Woman, Erin Brockovich and My Best Friend’s Wedding.

Julia has long been considered one of the industry’s most talented and bankable stars. Yet she, too, has never received a star.

The Hollywood’s most iconic actress, has twice declined a star on the Walk of Fame, first in the mid-1990s, reportedly due to discomfort with the idea of people walking over her name and again in 2019 when, despite an approved nomination, she chose not to schedule the required unveiling ceremony, leaving the honour unclaimed as the Walk of Fame team awaits her decision.

Madonna

Similarly, Madonna, for instance, is one of the most iconic figures in music history as her name is recognised across generations, whether people follow her music or not and the singer shot to fame in the 1980s with bold and sometimes controversial hits like, Like a Virgin, Crazy for You and Papa Don’t Preach, songs that only topped charts but have stayed popular decades later.

According to Grunge, Madonna does not have a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame because she turned down the honour in the early 1990s. Even when nominated the singer reportedly was not interested in the idea.

Earning a star also comes with a hefty cost around $50,000 to cover the creation and installation. The process involves a long application and attending a public unveiling all of which she seems to have objected to.

Aside from Madonna and Julia Roberts, many famous personalities who are not interested in getting a star including Clint Eastwood, George Clooney, Denzel Washington, Bruce Springsteen and Al Pacino still have not set the date for the public ceremony.