Top 10 Celebrity Scandal Documentaries
#10: “Tiger” (2021)
For many years, Tiger Woods was the name in golfing. No one had seen a talent like his before, and Woods would win four Masters between 1997 and 2005. But that all changed in November of 2009, when Woods became the subject of an infidelity scandal. “Tiger” examines this career collapse, using interviews with caddies, girlfriends, and journalists to tell the story. Woods himself is completely absent, and while this might be a dealbreaker for some, it allows for a unique perspective on his career and downfall. The miniserie” is also nicely balanced, as it explores the miraculous comeback that Woods experienced throughout the 2010s, culminating in his fifth Masters win in 2019.
#9: “Roman Polanski: Wanted and Desired” (2008)
The Roman Polanski saga is an obvious sore spot in the history of Hollywood. The famous director of movies like “Chinatown” and “Rosemary’s Baby” fled the United States in the 1970s after being charged with sexual abuse. He has lived overseas ever since, but has continued to receive critical acclaim, even winning the Best Director Oscar in 2003 for “The Pianist.” “Wanted and Desired” explores not just the story itself, but also goes into extensive detail regarding the complex legalities behind it. Interviews with those involved, including the victim herself and defense attorney, help personalize what’s become a well-known Hollywood tale.
#8: “Framing Britney Spears” (2021)
Released as part of the “New York Times Presents” series, “Framing Britney Spears” is a documentary made to change minds. It goes into extensive detail regarding the life and career of the titular singer, reframing the public perception to provide a more in-depth glimpse into her personal dealings. The story delves into various scandals involving Spears, including the conservatorship battle with her father and the infamous breakdown of 2007 that saw the singer shaving her head. Taking a sympathetic approach to its subject, the film portrays her as a victim of expectation, unfair media exposure, and sexism. It had a widespread impact, with many celebrities apologizing for their past treatment of Spears.
#7: “The Armstrong Lie” (2013)
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Sometimes, the course of events gives filmmakers an even greater story than they’d set out to tell. Director Alex Gibney was posed to make a documentary about the comeback of Lance Armstrong, which was to be titled “The Road Back.” However, it was around this time that the infamous doping scandal became public knowledge, forcing Gibney to change direction and reframe “The Road Back” as “The Armstrong Lie.” It exposes the larger doping problem and explores themes of obsession and power through the lens of the Armstrong story. The cyclist seeks to set the record straight, and the documentary toes a nice line between criticism and giving him a voice.
#6: “The Inventor: Out for Blood in Silicon Valley” (2019)
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Alex Gibney strikes gold again with “The Inventor,” an HBO documentary about Theranos founder Elizabeth Holmes. Holmes is one of those rare entrepreneurs who became a celebrity. That’s partly because her product seemed so revolutionary, and partly because she became the wealthiest self-made female billionaire in American history. Of course, all of that was a lie. Holmes fooled investors and landed herself in prison. Like “The Armstrong Lie,” “The Inventor” tells a specific story to cast a wider net - in this case, about Silicon Valley culture and its tendencies to over-promise. How did Holmes get away with it for so long?
#5: “Surviving R. Kelly” (2019-23)
Spanning three seasons and fifteen episodes, “Surviving R. Kelly” is a docuseries that had real world ramifications. The original season aired on Lifetime back in 2019, chronicling sexual abuse allegations against singer R. Kelly. It garnered widespread critical acclaim and went through culture like a shockwave. Musicians distanced themselves from Kelly, the National Sexual Assault Hotline saw a surge in calls, and it reopened a criminal investigation into the musician. This investigation would eventually land Kelly with a 31 year prison sentence. Documentaries with this type of influence don’t come around often, so we have to savor them when they do. Two follow-up seasons, “The Reckoning” and “The Final Chapter,” were released in 2022 and ‘23.
#4: “Fyre” (2019)
Jerry Media somewhat redeemed itself with “Fyre,” a documentary about the failed music festival of the same name. The company promoted the festival on social media, helping to lead thousands towards a fraudulent and abysmally-planned event. They then co-produced the documentary that exposed it. “Fyre” goes into great detail about how the supposedly prestigious event collapsed into shambles. Its targets are many, including influencers like Kendall Jenner and Bella Hadid who helped promote the festival through their socials. But the biggest criticisms are reserved for rapper Ja Rule, who co-founded Fyre with con artist Billy McFarland. It tells you all you need to know about influencer culture, social media deception, and the allure of status.
#3: “Leaving Neverland” (2019)
Regardless of your position on the Michael Jackson case, “Leaving Neverland” is required viewing. A thorough documentary running nearly four hours, it explores the long-contested scandal involving Jackson and his Neverland ranch. It does so through the personal stories of Wade Robson and James Safechuck, both of whom sued Jackson for sexual abuse. “Leaving Neverland” received a mixed reception, as many people found it to be one-sided. But there’s no denying that it started a conversation. Radio stations pulled his music, while streams increased. Protests were held against the documentary, and an episode was removed from “The Simpsons.” No one could agree on how to react, but public discussion is what documentaries should strive for.
#2: “Untouchable” (2019)
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We return to the sleazy side of Hollywood with “Untouchable,” which tells the story of producer Harvey Weinstein. The documentary was quickly assembled, its premier at Sundance coming just 15 months after the scandal broke in October 2017. But it’s no less riveting because of it. “Untouchable” is expansive in scope, going into great detail about Weinstein’s crimes and how he abused his position in Hollywood. Many prominent figures close to the case are here, including accusers like Rosanna Arquette and journalists Jodi Kantor and Ronan Farrow. Thanks to their efforts, Weinstein was ultimately not untouchable, and this powerful documentary gives voice to the people who proved it.
#1: “O.J.: Made in America” (2016)
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It’s the Holy Grail of documentaries, let alone ones about celebrity scandals. Produced as part of ESPN’s “30 for 30” series, it’s a comprehensive and dense study of the infamous O.J. Simpson scandal. Winning the Oscar for Best Documentary, this nearly eight-hour epic encompasses everything you’d need to know about the story. With impeccable research and stellar production values, it from Simpson’s childhood and his record-setting time in the NFL all the way to his 2007 robbery case. Along the way, it raises big questions about celebrity, media, racism, and the American Dream. Yep, it doesn’t get much better than this.
