10 Celebs Who Went Viral for Disturbing Reasons

Top 10 Celebs Who Went Viral for Disturbing Reasons

Welcome to WatchMojo and today we’re diving into celebrities who became the focus of extensive coverage by the press and/or internet for their unsavory, inappropriate, or downright bizarre actions.

Ellen DeGeneres

People aren’t always who they seem. That certainly was the case in 2020, when famous Hollywood comedian Ellen DeGeneres went viral for all the wrong reasons. Ellen’s talk show was known for promoting kindness and positive vibes. So, it was quite jarring when employees revealed that the show was riddled with intimidation and discrimination behind the scenes. While senior managers and executive producers were mostly blamed for the toxic workplace culture, DeGeneres wasn’t entirely left out. A viral Twitter thread, which had over 2,600 replies, exposed stories of her alleged meanness, sparking widespread backlash. DeGeneres' reputation as the face of kindness took a big hit, and the “Be Kind” motto now carries a bitter irony.

Johnny Depp & Amber Heard

After their divorce, Hollywood stars Amber Heard and Johnny Depp became embroiled in dramatic legal battles that aired their dirty laundry to the public. It all started in 2018 when Heard penned a Washington Post op-ed implying that Depp had abused her, without naming him. He sued her, sparking more dramatic lawsuits that shook the internet, especially in 2022 when they both took the stand. Their court cases revealed shocking details about their relationship, which painted one as manipulative and abusive and the other, as a short-tempered person with substance issues. The public couldn’t get enough of the riveting drama, with various people siding with either Heard or Depp. Now that it’s over, the damage to their careers and public image is undeniable.

Logan Paul

While in Japan in 2017, popular YouTuber Logan Paul triggered widespread outrage with a stunt that crossed the line. Known for his provocative stunts and slap-stick comedy, this social media star went too far when he uploaded a video of a man who had just taken his life. To make things worse, Paul seemed to make light of this alarming situation while filming it. The video went viral quickly, racking up 6.3 million views, leaving many appalled by his apparent insensitivity. Under heavy criticism, Paul deleted the video and offered a public apology. But the damage was already done. In response to the news, YouTube cut some business ties with him, which must have hit his earnings hard.

Sean ‘P. Diddy’ Combs

This music mogul has seen his fair share of controversies throughout his 30+ years in the industry, but the public’s perception of Puffy Daddy officially changed in 2023. Five years after their breakup, Cassie Ventura took out a lawsuit, alleging that Combs committed various forms of abuse. While this would be settled out of court, Combs faced another lawsuit from producer Rodney "Lil Rod" Jones, who made similar accusations of abuse. Ventura’s claims were further backed up by video evidence in March 2024. Diddy’s downfall reached a boiling point the following September when he was arrested and indicted on multiple charges, most notably racketeering and sex trafficking. Although Combs pleaded not guilty, the mountain of accusations against him has possibly tarnished his reputation forever.

Kanye West

The Yeezy designer is no stranger to controversy. But in 2022, he went viral for one of the most damaging scandals of his career. During the Yeezy Season 9 Fashion show in Paris, West was spotted wearing the “White Lives Matter” T-shirt, which ignited outrage across social media. As if this wasn’t enough, he followed with a tweet filled with hateful, antisemitic rhetoric, leading to more backlash. The tweet was immediately removed and both his Instagram and Twitter accounts were restricted. Celebrities, including his ex-wife, condemned his aggressive and hateful slurs. The fallout didn’t stop there. Major brands cut ties with him. The famous rapper’s net worth reportedly dropped to $400 million, taking him out of his billionaire status.

Michael Jackson

In 2003, American pop singer Michael Jackson and minor Gavin Arvizo were seen holding hands in a documentary, reigniting public interest in a previous controversy from 1993. Months later, Michael Jackson was arrested following serious allegations made by Arvizo. The case went to trial and lasted for approximately four months, ultimately resulting in Jackson being acquitted of all charges. This wasn’t the singer’s first rodeo with such allegations. In 1993, he denied similar claims but later reached a settlement for around $23 million. It’s been years since Jackson died, but he continues to be the subject of a series of sexual allegations. It’s safe to say The King of Pop’s legacy may never be the same again.

Mel Gibson

The beloved American filmmaker and star, Mel Gibson has faced his fair share of controversies that have deeply affected his reputation. In 2006, Gibson was arrested for DUI, an incident that exposed an ugly side of him. During this arrest, he allegedly made aggressive and antisemitic remarks towards the arresting officer. Although he later apologized for his bizarre actions and hateful comments towards the Jewish community, his image was further eroded by yet another controversy. In 2010, a phone conversation surfaced online, in which Gibson could be heard making abusive remarks towards his then-girlfriend Oksana Grigorieva. There were also reports that he had physically abused her. Though he later bounced back from this, the public adoration he once enjoyed may never fully return.

Donald Trump

Just a month before the 2016 Presidential election, the 45th president of the United States went viral for his horrific conversation with “Access Hollywood” host Billy Bush. In this obscene discussion, which happened in 2005, Trump boasted about his ability to harass and grope any woman because of his celebrity status. When this news leaked, public opinions flew with many bashing Trump for his crude words. The then-presidential candidate later admitted he was wrong and apologized for his lewd remarks. Despite this “October Surprise” as this issue is infamously dubbed, Trump went on to win the 2016 election. However, this tape was used later on as evidence in a sexual abuse and defamation trial, in which he was found guilty.

R. Kelly

For a long time, famous pop star R. Kelly was the subject of serious allegations but managed to escape major legal consequences. Then in 2019, the documentary “Surviving R. Kelly” brought renewed attention to these claims. Following this, more of this famous artist’s dirty secrets and predatory behaviors began to come to light, including his strange relationship with Aaliyah. He was later arrested in 2021 and 2022, and convicted on multiple charges related to sexual misconduct involving minors, making him into a monster. As a result, he was sentenced to 30 years in prison. Due to these allegations, he was dropped from RCA Records, and denounced by former colleagues. Well, it was a long time coming.

Harvey Weinstein

This is by far the most startling celebrity scandal and an obvious fall from grace. In 2017, over 80 women accused the film producer, Harvey Weinstein of sexual assault via a New York Times story. It turned out these atrocities had been going on for decades. As soon as the story broke, Weinstein was fired from his company and other professional associations severed ties with him. As more of his victims came forward, the scandal led to Weinstein’s conviction in 2020. The impact was so huge, it sparked a social media movement that encouraged women across industries to share their own stories. Even though the disgraced producer apologized, his legal troubles aren’t over. There may still be more skeletons in his closet.

Which of these scandals shocked you the most? Let us know in the comment section.