10 Times Beloved Celebs Did Something Terrible

10 Times Beloved Celebs Did Something Terrible

Welcome to MsMojo, and today we’ll be looking at the most well-liked celebrities who suddenly lost all public favor after behaving in ways that shocked and disappointed their fans.

Roseanne Barr

Through the late 1980s and early ‘90s, Roseanne Barr became one of America’s most popular comedians, thanks to her hit ABC sitcom. Fans were thrilled when the show was revived in 2018, and they tuned in en masse, delivering massive ratings for the premiere. At a time when the country was largely divided, many were united in their praise for how Barr tackled timely issues while retaining the show’s original voice. However, just after the revival aired, Barr posted an insensitive tweet targeting former White House adviser Valerie Jarrett. All of the warmth she had received in the preceding months suddenly turned cold. Barr was fired by the network, leading to the cancellation of “Roseanne,” which was then retooled into “The Conners.”

Will Smith

Ever since he played a fictionalized version of himself on “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air,” Will Smith has risen to become one of Hollywood’s most bankable stars. Audiences loved him for his charisma and exceptional acting skills, which brought him both commercial success and critical praise. After two prior Oscar nominations, it seemed like Smith was finally due for the award when he was nominated for “King Richard.” However, on the biggest night of his career, Smith slapped Chris Rock after he made a joke about his wife Jada Pinkett Smith’s shaved head. The act drew immediate widespread condemnation from fans and industry peers alike. Although he eventually won the Oscar, Smith received a 10-year ban from all Academy events.

Lance Armstrong

Winning seven consecutive Tour de France titles is no easy feat. Doing that just after beating cancer makes you practically superhuman. This was the image many had of cyclist Lance Armstrong. But it turned out his skills weren’t so superhuman after all. For most of his career, Armstrong was dogged by doping allegations, which he consistently denied. Those allegations were eventually proven to be true in 2012 when an investigation revealed that he not only used performance-enhancing drugs, but also helped other athletes do the same. Armstrong himself admitted to doping in a January 2013 interview with Oprah Winfrey. As a result, he was stripped of his titles, lost all his sponsorships and was banned for life from competing in the sport.

Matt Lauer

For years, Matt Lauer was a staple on NBC News, known for hosting the “Today” show and covering several Olympic Games. More than just a familiar face, Lauer was regarded as a reliable news anchor with a deep understanding of global events. However, during the MeToo movement in 2017, his image underwent a dramatic shift. Lauer was accused of sexual harassment by a female colleague at NBC, which led to an investigation by the network and ultimately, the termination of his contract. Other allegations of misconduct soon followed, and Lauer largely withdrew from the public eye. Practically overnight, he went from a beloved television personality to a reviled name in the industry.

Steve Jobs

As the co-founder of Apple and a key figure in the PC revolution, Steve Jobs was undeniably one of the brightest minds of his generation. However, in the early ‘80s, his private matters became public when he denied paternity of his daughter Lisa, despite a DNA test showing a 94.1% probability of him being her parent. Jobs continued to cast doubts on the results, telling Time Magazine in 1983 that “28% of the male population of the United States could be the father.” This controversial statement factored into Time Magazine’s decision to name the Apple computer “Machine of the Year” instead of recognizing Jobs as “Person of the Year.” Jobs eventually acknowledged his mistake and reconciled with Lisa before his death in 2011.

Ellen DeGeneres

Ellen DeGeneres built a multi-million dollar career on being nice. She famously ended each episode of her talk show with “be kind to one another” and supported numerous charitable endeavors. This reputation earned her the adoration of millions around the world. But in 2020, reports surfaced that behind the scenes, DeGeneres failed to uphold these values. Several former staff members accused her of fostering a toxic work environment, marred by racism, sexual harassment and hostile behavior. Just like that, DeGeneres’ kind image was shattered. She publicly apologized for the work culture and vowed to initiate changes, but the damage was already done. The show only lasted two more seasons before it was taken off the air.

Danny Masterson

For eight years, Danny Masterson played Steven Hyde on the Fox sitcom “That '70s Show.” Audiences were drawn to the character’s quick wit and sardonic point of view, and Masterson became a fan favorite for his portrayal. However, during his time on the show, Masterson committed some despicable acts that only came to light years later. In 2017, the actor made headlines after the Los Angeles Police Department opened an investigation into sexual assault allegations against him. Although he denied the allegations, Masterson was fired from the Netflix series “The Ranch.” He eventually faced criminal charges stemming from the accusations and in 2023, he was convicted and sentenced to 30 years to life in prison.

Chris Brown

Chris Brown made a splashing debut in the music industry, earning a number-one hit with his first single “Run It!” His impressive singing and dancing skills drew comparisons to Michael Jackson, and quickly established him as a promising star. While he did achieve even greater success, Brown’s reputation took a severe hit in 2009 when he physically assaulted his then-girlfriend, Rihanna. The attack was so bad that Rihanna had to be hospitalized. Brown subsequently pleaded guilty to felony assault, for which he received five years of probation and six months of community service. Although both artists have since gone their separate ways, the incident still casts a dark shadow over Brown’s legacy, no matter how hard he tries to shake it off.

Kevin Spacey

Before 2017, Kevin Spacey was riding high in his career. He had already won two Academy Awards and received widespread praise from fans and critics for his role in the hit Netflix series “House of Cards.” However, at the height of the MeToo movement, actor Anthony Rapp came forward alleging that Spacey had sexually harassed him back in 1986. Whatever favor Spacey still had with the public was completely lost when he decided to come out in a subsequent public statement addressing the allegations. Fans abandoned him, colleagues condemned him, and Netflix severed all ties with him. Since then, Spacey has retreated from the spotlight, but in 2022, a jury found him not liable for Rapp’s claims.

Sean “Diddy” Combs

Sean “Diddy” Combs was once a giant in hip-hop music. In 1993, he founded Bad Boy Records, which launched the careers of artists like The Notorious B.I.G., Faith Evans and Janelle Monáe. He also signed singer Cassie, with whom he began a long-term relationship in 2007. Publicly, they seemed like a loving couple, but it appears behind the scenes, Combs subjected Cassie to domestic violence. This came to light in November 2023 when Cassie filed a lawsuit against Combs alleging repeated incidents of physical and sexual assaults. Although he quickly settled the case, Combs initially denied the allegations. In May 2024, however, he owned up to them after surveillance footage emerged of him physically attacking Cassie.

Has any of your favorite celebrities done something that made you lose all admiration for them? Let us know in the comments below.