Ferrari’s stance on ownership is clear: owning one of their supercars transcends mere financial transactions, entering the realm of lifestyle and brand representation. This philosophy extends to celebrities, who, despite their fame and fortune, may find themselves barred from purchasing a new Ferrari if they fail to align with the Italian automaker’s stringent criteria for brand representation. Ferrari’s selection process is shrouded in mystery, but it is known that behaviors deemed flashy, tacky, or self-promotional can disqualify potential buyers.
Several high-profile personalities have famously clashed with Ferrari’s guidelines, leading to publicized bans or refusals from the company. Among them is musician Deadmau5, who faced Ferrari’s disapproval after customizing his Ferrari 458 Spider with a Nyan Cat wrap and renaming it “Purrari.” His modifications, including custom badges and floor mats, prompted a cease and desist letter from Ferrari, and although he claimed to have removed the wrap before selling the car, its reappearance in the same guise suggested otherwise.
Rapper Tyga, known for his relationship with Kylie Jenner and his penchant for luxury cars, also found himself in hot water with Ferrari. His habit of flaunting leased supercars without making payments led to repossession of a 2012 Ferrari 458 Spider, among other vehicles, earning him a spot on Ferrari’s blacklist.
Automotive journalist and TV presenter Chris Harris was banned from receiving loaner cars from Ferrari and allegedly from purchasing new ones following a critical article about Ferrari’s practices regarding performance testing of their test cars. Similarly, avid car collector Preston Henn’s lawsuit against Ferrari after being denied the chance to purchase a limited-edition LaFerrari Aperta marked his exclusion from future purchases.
Other celebrities rumored to be on Ferrari’s ban list include Gordon Ramsay, Floyd Mayweather Jr., Kim Kardashian, Blac Chyna, Justin Bieber, 50 Cent, and Nicolas Cage, each for reasons ranging from misuse of vehicles to financial issues and unfavorable modifications.
Ferrari’s selective approach to ownership underscores the brand’s commitment to maintaining an exclusive image, where the privilege of owning a Ferrari is reserved for those who embody the brand’s ideals of class and discretion.
