I Made My First Celebrity Cake (And How You Can Too)

Since the day I started baking, I’ve dreamed about making cakes for celebrities. And now, I can proudly say I’ve baked for Latto, Jessi Ho, Sadie Sink, and many more. But let me take you back to the exact moment one cake changed everything.

It started with a single cake…
And ended with me baking for the one and only Mary J. Blige.

How One Cake Opened the Door to a Celebrity Client

In January 2023, I baked a cake for a client I didn’t think twice about. What I didn’t realize? That client was Chef Danielle Saunders, private chef and best friend to Mary J. Blige.

After the event, Chef Danielle called and said how much she loved the cake. Then she casually mentioned, “Mary’s birthday is coming up.”

Without missing a beat, I said, “The MARY J. BLIGE?! Can I make her cake?”
She said yes.

Just like that, my first celebrity cake was locked in.

This is why it’s so important to always give your best—no matter how small the order may seem. You never know who your client knows. Word of mouth is powerful, and sometimes all it takes is one cake to change everything.

Be patient, stay consistent, and never underestimate the power of your work.

Baking for Mary J. Blige Was a Full-Circle Moment

Mary isn’t just a star. She’s a music icon. Growing up, her songs played on repeat every Sunday while we cleaned the house—classic “cleaning day” soundtrack energy.

So to be trusted with her birthday cake?
It meant everything to me.

What’s even wilder? I’ve gone on to make multiple cakes for Mary—from New Year’s Eve to backyard BBQs. Like… what?! Still not over it.

Designing a Celebrity Cake (No Pressure)

The party was being held at Cipriani in NYC, and the color scheme was black, gold, and white. The guest list?
Absolutely stacked.

• Usher
• Remy Ma
• Fat Joe
• Queen Latifah

Yeah… no pressure at all.

But here’s the truth:
Celebrities are just regular people. When it comes to cake design, I treat every client with the same care and attention. Because what matters is the vision, craftsmanship, and the experience I bring to the table.

How I Design My Cakes (Especially Celebrity Cakes)

When I get creative freedom—especially on a high-profile order—here’s how I approach it:

• Scroll Pinterest for techniques and textures (not to copy—just for inspo)
• Study their Instagram to understand their vibe and aesthetic
• Sketch everything in Procreate on my iPad

Let’s be real:
I can’t draw to save my life 😭 I still draw V’s as birds and stick figures. But with Procreate + templates, my cake sketches look super professional and clear.

My personal favorite is the template bundle from Cake and Cookie Planner. It includes every cake shape, texture, and style you could need—makes the sketching process effortless.

I Pulled an All-Nighter to Finish the Cake

Truth time: I procrastinated.
I started the cake late and ended up pulling a full all-nighter—no sleep, buttercream everywhere, stress at an all-time high. But I was determined to make it perfect.

People always ask me:
“Was the cake real?”

The answer? Yes and no. Some of the tiers were made from faux cakes (styrofoam), which is actually really common in the cake world. It avoids waste and still gives you that dramatic “wow” factor.

But don’t worry—there was plenty of real cake too:

• Moist Vanilla Cake with lemon curd and vanilla bean buttercream (her fav!)
• Rich Chocolate Cake with decadent chocolate buttercream
• Banana Cream Pie Cake

If you think you don’t like cake, you probably just haven’t had the right one. Try one of my recipes—Mary J. Blige–approved 😉

The Reaction That Changed Everything

Walking into Cipriani with that cake? I was nervous. Delivering cakes at celebrity parties is no chill situation. But the moment I saw Mary’s reaction, it was all worth it.

She LOVED the cake. I didn’t get to meet her directly, but I did get to attend the party—and it was legendary.

That night changed everything.

From one cake, I went on to:

• Be featured on The Sherri Show
• Get posted on The Shade Room
• Book new clients who said, “I want a cake from the guy who made Mary J. Blige’s birthday cake.”

And just like that, I became known as a celebrity cake artist.

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What No One Tells You About Celebrity Cakes

Now that I’ve got you all excited about baking for celebrities, let me keep it real.

Not all celebrities want to pay for their orders.
It’s common—they know their name brings you visibility. The question is: Is that worth it to you?

I’ve been lucky. Mary paid for her cakes. But I’ve also accepted celebrity cake orders for free. Why? Because for me, it was:

• A portfolio builder
• A way to create high-impact content
• A long-term brand move

That said, if you’re not a content creator, doing free cakes might not be worth it.

Most of the time, you’re not speaking directly to the celeb—it’s an assistant or friend. So it’s rare that you’ll get referrals from one celeb to another unless your content puts you out there.

My advice: If you’re doing it for free, don’t be afraid to ask for something in return—like professional photos or video. You’re offering a valuable service, and it’s okay to expect value back.

Want to Make a Celebrity Cake One Day?

My advice? Start now.

Show up with your best work. Post. Practice.
Be patient—even when it’s hard. (I’m the most impatient person alive, trust me 😂)

But I promise, the right timing will come.
And when it does? Be ready to show out.

Making that first cake for Mary J. Blige was more than a milestone—it was a turning point.
It proved that your talent can open doors… but your effort is what keeps them open.

Still struggling to decorate cakes? Don’t feel bad—it takes time! Trust me, my first cakes did not look this nice. But lucky for you, I’ve put together a full guide on How to Frost a Cake Like a Pro.

Still Haven’t Started Your Baking Business?

What are you waiting for?! There are endless opportunities out there—but you’ll only find them if you put yourself out there.

Start posting. Start taking orders. And if you’re struggling to grow your business, check out my guide:

👉 Starting Your Dream Business in 2025: A Guide to Making $100K.