When the Checks Stop Coming In

2014 • 51 minutes

About this movie

When the Checks Stop Coming In is a candid investigation into the lives of black celebrities as they fall from fame and fortune to downright broke. It’s the life of a celebrity. One minute you are singing to an audience of thousands, playing to an arena of screaming fans, or performing on television for millions of viewers. The accolades are coming fast and furious and the money is pouring in. You think that the dream that you're living is never going to end, but then you wake up one day and all your money and your livelihood is gone. Your worst nightmare has come true and you're broke, the groupies are gone and the lifestyle has dried up.

Even the most seasoned and celebrated have lost it all. The list of celebrities gone broke includes Toni Braxton, Antione Walker, TLC, Wesley Snipes, Allen Iverson, MC Hammer, Dennis Rodman… it goes on and on. Moguldom Studios interviews celebrities, managers, agents, and their financial advisors to learn how much was being spent and how these celebs spared no expense for the glitz and glamour that was their ultimate demise.

This documentary looks behind the curtain and into the lives of black celebrities to find out how they got into financial trouble and what advice they would give to others in hindsight. Be it lavish lifestyles, poor financial management, child support, or tax evasion, When the Checks Stop Coming In explores how these celebrities perpetuate an underlying issue within the African American community: An obsession with the American dollar.

Ratings and reviews

"It’s the life of a celebrity. " ~wrong. There are numerous celebs who have managed to not squander every dime. A better statement would be "its the life of an idiot." I am left wondering why the creators of this film decided to focus only on black celebrities? Do they feel like it is only a "black" problem? They are wrong. Fiscal lunacy is color blind. There are plenty of broke country music singers as well, and an even better example? Look at the state of our nation's debt. I challenge you, dear readers, to make the pledge today to save $5 a day by not throwing it away on something stupid. $5/day= $35/week. Doable? $5/day is $1825/year, or $18,250 in ten years. $5/day earning 10% in the stock market, over ten years, would be more like $36,000 (compounded annually).

This isn't a secret or film worthy, if you spend beyond your means...you go broke. Signing with greedy agents and wasting money ( MC Hammer spent $4 mil on mirrors) results in bankruptcy.

I am a big fan of ESPN Films' 30 for 30: Broke. This films goes further than ESPN and covers all celebrities going broke not just athletes. Everyday people with median salaries have these same issues - where they are living from check to check - a lot of celebrities do the same exact thing but on a larger scale. I learned a lot of this film - things I can even practice myself and this doc makes me question - why does our society associate success with money. Most viewers don't realize - a lot of entertainers rent their cars, houses, boats in music video - its all for "looks" -