10 Hollywood Scandals That Escalated Quickly
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VOICE OVER: Jennifer Silverman
WRITTEN BY: Joe Shetina
Wow, that escalated so quickly that social media exploded. Welcome to MsMojo, and today we're counting down our picks for the celebrity controversies that caused an immediate media frenzy. Our countdown includes Oscar slap, Ellen is mean, #FreeBritney, and more!
10 Hollywood Scandals That Escalated Quickly
Welcome to MsMojo, and today we’re counting down our picks for the celebrity controversies that caused an immediate media frenzy.
#10: Ariana Grande Licks a Doughnut
It started like a bad joke. A pop star walks into a donut shop. But Ariana Grande’s late night trip to a small California shop managed to inspire outrage from all sides. Her juvenile and unsanitary licking of a donut on a display tray was bad enough, but then, seeing a tray of desserts, she decided to say she hated America, seemingly without context. Grande had to explain that she was making some incisive commentary about America’s eating habits. It was too little, too late. The donut-licking scandal saw the “Thank U, Next” singer angering everyone from patriotic Americans to small donut shop owners.
#9: What Goes Down in an Elevator
It was the CCTV footage leak heard round the world. There was more to unpack, analyze, and theorize about than an episode of “Twin Peaks.” Why was Solange Knowles, recording artist and sister to Beyoncé, attacking Jay-Z in the elevator? Why was Beyoncé not interfering? Was it real or was it staged for an upcoming album cycle? Entertainment journalists and the denizens of the Internet descended on it like a feast of drama and intrigue. While the prevailing wisdom that Jay-Z had been unfaithful to Beyoncé did turn out to be true, the storm of rumors and innuendo surrounding the footage was a media circus all its own.
#8: #FreeBritney
Starting in 2007, the media made Britney Spears’ mental health issues a perennial punchline. It was the impetus for her father Jamie’s decision to place her under conservatorshipin 2008. In the years afterward, the situation received some attention, but it wasn’t until information raising concerns about the conservatorship was leaked in 2019 that fans called foul. Britney Spears’ immediate family came under fire for alleged abuses of her limited power under the conservatorship. Within weeks, the #FreeBritney phenomenon went from fan conspiracy to an actual movement. Even Spears’ friends, relatives and industry colleagues got involved on her behalf. After a lengthy court case in 2021, Britney Spears was finally free to manage her own finances.
#7: Jussie Smollett’s Staged Attack
On a cold Chicago night in January 2019, news reports emerged that “Empire” actor Jussie Smollett had been the victim of a hate crime. Hollywood luminaries, politicians, and fans expressed their disgust and called for justice on social media. But even then, some people expressed some concern over some details of the story. Smollett accused his skeptics of being as racist and homophobic as his alleged attackers. Then, things started to unravel quickly. Weeks later, two brothers revealed that Smollett had paid them to stage the attack. Smollett was convicted of filing false police reports in 2021.
#6: Mel Gibson’s Anti-Semitic Rant
Being pulled over for a suspected DUI is bad enough for any actor’s reputation. Mel Gibson took what would’ve been a scandal all its own and made it exponentially worse. He launched into a strange anti-semitic tirade, the details of which were released with the arrest report. His drunken ramblings became the subject of a massive controversy. Gibson acknowledged he said these things, but that he himself is not anti-semitic. Gibson’s career was negatively impacted, though enough people forgave him for him to eventually come back. Still, it wasn’t the last time he landed in the news for an offensive outburst.
#5: Charlie Sheen’s Firing
This is one celebrity scandal that just kept getting wilder. Actor Charlie Sheen was battling substance abuse issues in early 2011. A stint in rehab ended production early on the current season of his long-running sitcom, “Two and a Half Men.” Soon, he was making an enemy of show creator Chuck Lorre, as well as telling the world he had tiger’s blood in him, and was let go from his starring role. This all happened within the span of two months. It was his defensive and outlandish answers to Andrea Canning’s questions during an interview on “Good Morning America” that created the most waves. Sheen’s appearance on the program spawned several memes and catchphrases.
#4: Ellen Is Mean
Dakota Johnson was just the beginning. Though rumors had been around for years, it all hit the fan in 2020. Ellen DeGeneres and her talk show were the subject of a tidal wave of accusations about a toxic environment on the set. Between DeGeneres’ frosty treatment of staff and guests, the producers’ misconduct, and allegations of harassment, the host’s squeaky clean, dance-happy persona was shattered. Even her on-air apology rang hollow. The call to replace her was swift and merciless, but the show went on for two more seasons. The “Ellen” show aired its last episode in 2022.
#3: College Admissions Scandal
A bunch of rich parents falsifying their kids’ school records to get them into the best universities is a big enough story. Once we found out “Desperate Housewives” star Felicity Huffman and Lori Loughlin, “Full House’s” Aunt Becky herself, were involved, it became a feeding frenzy. The scandal involved an FBI investigation that targeted wealthy parents who had paid a fixer to bribe college officials and beef up their children’s academic achievements. As more details emerged, Internet outrage grew. Huffman and Loughlin were just two of the celebrities, executives, and even CEOs who served a few months in jail and paid some fines for their crimes.
#2: Oscar Slap
When it happened, many people thought it might be a bit. Oscars presenter Chris Rock had just made a joke about Jada Pinkett Smith’s alopecia, and Will Smith came up on stage and smacked him. Even when Smith doubled down by warning him to keep his wife’s name out of his mouth, it still seemed too crazy to be real. Smith would go on to win the Best Actor Oscar the same night, but it was completely overshadowed by this incident. By the end of the night, it was all anyone was talking about. The slap was analyzed and critiqued from every possible lens. Smith was banned from further ceremonies for ten years and resigned his membership to the Academy.
#1: Janet Jackson’s Halftime Mishap
It was the wardrobe malfunction to end them all. Janet Jackson and Justin Timerlake were f(per?)forming at the 2004 Super Bowl Halftime Show. When Timberlake went to tear away a piece of Jackson’s costume, he tore away more than was intended, and America got an eyeful. The moral outrage was immediate. Lawsuits were threatened, formal apologies were issued, and FCC fines were sure to come. Despite all the complaints lobbed at the NFL and the network, most of the vitriol was curiously pointed at Jackson. CBS’ parent company, Viacom, blacklisted Jackson’s music, and her career suffered a hit as a result.
Which of these controversies do you remember going down live? Tell us in the comments.
#7: Jussie Smollett’s Staged Attack
On a cold Chicago night in January 2019, news reports emerged that “Empire” actor Jussie Smollett had been the victim of a hate crime. Hollywood luminaries, politicians, and fans expressed their disgust and called for justice on social media. But even then, some people expressed some concern over some details of the story. Smollett accused his skeptics of being as racist and homophobic as his alleged attackers. Then, things started to unravel quickly. Weeks later, two brothers revealed that Smollett had paid them to stage the attack. Smollett was convicted of filing false police reports in 2021.
#6: Mel Gibson’s Anti-Semitic Rant
Being pulled over for a suspected DUI is bad enough for any actor’s reputation. Mel Gibson took what would’ve been a scandal all its own and made it exponentially worse. He launched into a strange anti-semitic tirade, the details of which were released with the arrest report. His drunken ramblings became the subject of a massive controversy. Gibson acknowledged he said these things, but that he himself is not anti-semitic. Gibson’s career was negatively impacted, though enough people forgave him for him to eventually come back. Still, it wasn’t the last time he landed in the news for an offensive outburst.
#5: Charlie Sheen’s Firing
This is one celebrity scandal that just kept getting wilder. Actor Charlie Sheen was battling substance abuse issues in early 2011. A stint in rehab ended production early on the current season of his long-running sitcom, “Two and a Half Men.” Soon, he was making an enemy of show creator Chuck Lorre, as well as telling the world he had tiger’s blood in him, and was let go from his starring role. This all happened within the span of two months. It was his defensive and outlandish answers to Andrea Canning’s questions during an interview on “Good Morning America” that created the most waves. Sheen’s appearance on the program spawned several memes and catchphrases.
#4: Ellen Is Mean
Dakota Johnson was just the beginning. Though rumors had been around for years, it all hit the fan in 2020. Ellen DeGeneres and her talk show were the subject of a tidal wave of accusations about a toxic environment on the set. Between DeGeneres’ frosty treatment of staff and guests, the producers’ misconduct, and allegations of harassment, the host’s squeaky clean, dance-happy persona was shattered. Even her on-air apology rang hollow. The call to replace her was swift and merciless, but the show went on for two more seasons. The “Ellen” show aired its last episode in 2022.
#3: College Admissions Scandal
A bunch of rich parents falsifying their kids’ school records to get them into the best universities is a big enough story. Once we found out “Desperate Housewives” star Felicity Huffman and Lori Loughlin, “Full House’s” Aunt Becky herself, were involved, it became a feeding frenzy. The scandal involved an FBI investigation that targeted wealthy parents who had paid a fixer to bribe college officials and beef up their children’s academic achievements. As more details emerged, Internet outrage grew. Huffman and Loughlin were just two of the celebrities, executives, and even CEOs who served a few months in jail and paid some fines for their crimes.
#2: Oscar Slap
When it happened, many people thought it might be a bit. Oscars presenter Chris Rock had just made a joke about Jada Pinkett Smith’s alopecia, and Will Smith came up on stage and smacked him. Even when Smith doubled down by warning him to keep his wife’s name out of his mouth, it still seemed too crazy to be real. Smith would go on to win the Best Actor Oscar the same night, but it was completely overshadowed by this incident. By the end of the night, it was all anyone was talking about. The slap was analyzed and critiqued from every possible lens. Smith was banned from further ceremonies for ten years and resigned his membership to the Academy.
#1: Janet Jackson’s Halftime Mishap
It was the wardrobe malfunction to end them all. Janet Jackson and Justin Timerlake were f(per?)forming at the 2004 Super Bowl Halftime Show. When Timberlake went to tear away a piece of Jackson’s costume, he tore away more than was intended, and America got an eyeful. The moral outrage was immediate. Lawsuits were threatened, formal apologies were issued, and FCC fines were sure to come. Despite all the complaints lobbed at the NFL and the network, most of the vitriol was curiously pointed at Jackson. CBS’ parent company, Viacom, blacklisted Jackson’s music, and her career suffered a hit as a result.
Which of these controversies do you remember going down live? Tell us in the comments.
