Celebrity Trash That Sold for More Than a Month’s Rent

Celebrity memorabilia often brings to mind signed albums, stage costumes, or props from famous films. Yet the market for celebrity-related items has long included far stranger—and sometimes more expensive—objects. Over the years, fans and collectors have spent thousands on items that range from personal detritus to medical remnants: used tissues, hair clippings, bodily fluids, and other discarded artifacts that were never intended to become collectible.

Some of these artifacts were handed out as gifts, saved by acquaintances, found after public appearances, or recovered from estate cleanouts; others emerged through auctions or online marketplaces. Despite their odd origin stories, many of these items carried the cachet of a famous name and the provenance that made buyers willing to pay extraordinary sums. Below is a selection of fifteen of the strangest celebrity items that attracted buyers and attention.

Justin Bieber’s Lock of Hair

At the height of “Biebermania,” Justin Bieber gifted Ellen DeGeneres a small sealed box containing a lock of his hair, which he signed during an interview. That piece of pop history later appeared on eBay and sold for $40,668. The buyer’s payment supported an animal rescue organization, so the sale also had a charitable outcome.

William Shatner’s Kidney Stone

In a genuinely unusual auction listing, actor William Shatner put a kidney stone he had passed on the block. The gambling site GoldenPalace.com purchased the specimen for $25,000, and the proceeds were directed to Habitat for Humanity. Shatner joked that it might be the most expensive “stone” ever sold—an apt piece of celebrity trivia with a philanthropic twist.

John Lennon’s Tooth

After John Lennon’s death, a molar that had been removed and kept by his housekeeper turned up for sale. A Canadian dentist ultimately bought the fragile tooth for $31,200, reportedly to display it in a dental office. Although DNA testing was not performed publicly to confirm authenticity, the item’s association with the Beatle was enough to secure the bid.

Britney Spears’ Hair – Reported Million-Dollar Interest

In 2007, after a widely publicized incident when Britney Spears shaved her head, clippings allegedly swept up at a salon began appearing online. Reports circulated that locks of her hair attracted bids that reached into the seven figures. The situation remained muddled, with conflicting accounts about which strands actually changed hands, but it highlighted how high interest—and high prices—can climb for personal items tied to intense media moments.

Scarlett Johansson’s Used Tissue

While appearing on The Tonight Show, Scarlett Johansson famously caught a cold—reportedly from co-guest Samuel L. Jackson—and used a tissue on air. She sealed and autographed the tissue, which later sold for $5,300. The proceeds were donated to charity, turning a quirky moment into a philanthropic gesture.

Russell Crowe’s Jock Strap

As part of a high-profile “Art of Divorce” auction, Russell Crowe sold a leather jock strap used in the film Cinderella Man. Originally listed as a tongue-in-cheek item, it unexpectedly drew attention and sold for $7,000. Comedian John Oliver purchased it and later donated it as part of a humorous publicity stunt.

Justin Timberlake’s Half-Eaten French Toast

After an appearance at Z-100 radio in 2000, Justin Timberlake reportedly left behind partially eaten French toast. A teenage fan purchased the leftovers on eBay for $1,025, later saying she intended to preserve it—freeze-dry it—and display it as a novelty artifact. The sale is a striking example of how novelty value drives unusual collectibles.

Ronald Reagan’s Vial of Blood (Contested)

A vial claimed to contain dried blood from former president Ronald Reagan, allegedly taken after the 1981 assassination attempt, surfaced at auction and reached bids near $30,000. Reagan’s family and others disputed the item’s authenticity, and due to controversy the sale was ultimately withdrawn. This case highlights how questions of provenance and verification can complicate high-profile sales.

Pharrell Williams’ Grammy Hat

Pharrell’s oversized Vivienne Westwood hat from the 2014 Grammys became an instant cultural image, inspiring memes and widespread commentary. When he auctioned the hat, Arby’s—the fast-food brand that had joked about the hat’s resemblance to their logo—bought it for more than $44,000, demonstrating how a single iconic fashion moment can translate into substantial collectible value.

Marilyn Monroe’s Chest X-Rays

Medical records tied to iconic figures can be oddly sought after. Three chest X-rays from Marilyn Monroe’s 1954 hospital visit, dated during her marriage to Joe DiMaggio and labeled “Marilyn DiMaggio,” were sold at auction for $45,000. Buyers were effectively purchasing a physical snapshot tied to a legendary life and the documentation that connected it to her identity.

J.D. Salinger’s Toilet (Listed, Unclear Sale)

Writer J.D. Salinger, who famously avoided publicity, became the center of another odd listing when a toilet reportedly from his former residence appeared online with a multimillion-dollar asking price. The listing claimed provenance with a handwritten note, but whether a confirmed sale occurred remains unclear. The listing stands as a provocative footnote about privacy and authorial mystique.

Queen Elizabeth II’s Monogrammed Underwear

In 2010, a silky pair of underwear said to bear the Queen’s monogram circulated among collectors and offered at auction. Despite skepticism about provenance, the garment reportedly sold for $18,000. The royal household declined to comment publicly, and this sale underscores how even intimate items associated with famous figures can generate collector interest.

Lady Gaga’s Fake Fingernail

During a 2012 concert in Dublin, Lady Gaga lost a black acrylic fingernail onstage. A crew member recovered the nail, which later sold at auction for $12,000. The sale included photographic evidence and authentication, showing how documentation can transform even the smallest stage relic into a verified collectible.

Napoleon Bonaparte’s Hair

After Napoleon’s death in exile, a lock of his hair was cut and preserved in a frame along with period documents that traced its chain of custody. That strand later appeared at auction in New Zealand and sold for about $13,000. Historical relics like this blend documented provenance, rarity, and the enduring public fascination with notable figures.

Kurt Cobain’s MTV Unplugged Cardigan

One of the most famous and valuable pieces of grunge-era memorabilia is the olive-green cardigan Kurt Cobain wore during Nirvana’s 1993 MTV Unplugged performance. The sweater, marked by stains and cigarette burns and never laundered, was auctioned in 2019 for $334,000. Its high price reflects the cultural significance of the performance and the rarity of authentic artifacts directly tied to landmark moments in music history.

These examples show how celebrity status can transform the mundane into the marketable. Whether driven by nostalgia, fandom, historical interest, or novelty, collectors continue to find value in objects that connect them—tangibly or symbolically—to famous lives and memorable moments.