Top 10 Biggest Celeb Reveals of 2023
#10: Megan Fox’s Toxic Relationships & Pregnancy Loss
Since her breakout role in 2007’s “Transformers,” Hollywood hasn’t always been kind to Megan Fox. Sure, she was praised as a sex symbol but, as we’ve seen with several other women in the industry, the actress was badly mistreated by the media for years. In November 2023, Fox released her debut poetry collection called “Pretty Boys Are Poisonous,” shedding light on a history of abusive partners. While she didn’t call out anyone specifically, she wrote about multiple traumatic relationships with who are said to be well-known “horrific people.” Fox also revealed she and fiancé Machine Gun Kelly were expecting a baby daughter but tragically suffered a miscarriage early in Fox’s pregnancy.
#9: Bruce Willis’ Frontotemporal Dementia Diagnosis
In March 2022, Rumer Willis announced via Instagram that her father Bruce Willis would retire from acting due to aphasia which affects a person’s ability to communicate or to comprehend language. In February of 2023, the Willis family shared an update on the actor’s health, stating that he was given a frontotemporal dementia (FTD) diagnosis. The rare, incurable disease impacts one’s speech, movement, behavior, and overall functionality. Though Willis’ declining health is a very personal matter, the lack of FTD awareness and research has motivated his family to open up about their difficult experience.
#8: Toxic Talk Show Work Environments
Despite his “nice guy” persona, Jimmy Fallon has sparked controversy in the past and the present. In September 2023, Rolling Stone’s Krystie Lee Yandoli reported that 16 former and current staffers of “The Tonight Show” alleged the NBC program fosters a hostile workplace atmosphere. According to the article, Fallon’s erratic and unpredictable behavior created an environment they felt was influenced by whether he was in a good mood or not. However, at least one current employee spoke out against the accusations, and so did Jerry Seinfeld. Earlier in the year, Yandoli also published an article detailing similar behind-the-scenes mistreatment allegations at “The Kelly Clarkson Show”, though the employees said that Clarkson wasn’t the problem.
#7: Actors & Writers’ Unfair Wages
With the rise of prestige television, one would assume the entertainment industry’s creatives in front of and behind the camera are well-off, right? Well, that allusion was shattered in the spring and summer of 2023 when the Writers Guild of America (WGA) went on strike. Streaming content has significantly affected writers’ job security and residual pay. Some actors also went public with pay disparities, leading to SAG-AFTRA’s strike. “Gilmore Girls” actor Sean Gunn and “This Is Us” actress Mandy Moore revealed they received unfair compensation for starring in the popular, award-winning shows. This sad reality also applied to writers and actors from highly successful shows like Netflix’s “Orange Is the New Black,” Hulu’s “The Bear,” ABC’s “Abbott Elementary,” and many more.
#6: Paris Hilton’s Dark Past
In her 2020 documentary “This Is Paris,” Paris Hilton exposed the horrors she and others allegedly endured at Utah’s Provo Canyon School, a place for quote: “troubled teens.” She recounted the experiences in “Paris: The Memoir,” released in March 2023, along with other instances of physical and psychological abuse. Hilton gave context to highly publicized moments in her twenties, like the notorious “leaked” adult tape in 2003, as well as things she kept secret, like an unwanted pregnancy. She also opened up about traumatic events from her younger years, including an inappropriate entanglement with a school teacher. It’s heavier than a scandalous tell-all some may have expected, and it paints a grim picture of Hilton’s years of silent suffering.
#5: Keke Palmer’s Domestic Violence Allegations Against Darius Jackson
While hosting SNL in December 2022, the multitalented Keke Palmer announced her pregnancy, à la Beyoncé at the 2011 VMAs. In February 2023, she and her partner of two years, actor/fitness instructor Darius Jackson, welcomed their son Leodis “Leo” Andrellton Jackson. The new parents had a public rift in July when Jackson called Palmer out on X (formerly Twitter) for rocking a sheer black dress to an Usher concert. For months, the couple were rumored to have called it quits. Then in November, Palmer was granted a temporary restraining order against her ex and custody of Leo, citing years of Jackson’s alleged physical, verbal, and emotional abuse. Fans were horrified by the allegations but ultimately proud of her for leaving.
#4: Lizzo’s Behind-the-Scenes Behavior
We all know Lizzo as an advocate for body acceptance, self-confidence, and female empowerment. So, when three former dancers went public with their accusations of workplace misconduct, everyone was understandably shocked. In August of 2023, Arianna Davis, Crystal Williams, and Noelle Rodriguez filed a lawsuit against Lizzo, aka Melissa Viviane Jefferson, along with Big Grrrl Big Touring, Inc., and dance team captain Shirlene Quigley. The allegations included instances of discrimination, body-shaming, assault, and multiple forms of harassment. A month later, wardrobe designer Asha Daniels filed a similar suit against the singer and others in her camp. Filmmaker Sophia Nahli Allison and other past employees would subsequently voice their support for those speaking out. This alleged behavior goes against Lizzo’s message of positivity, leaving fans more than confused and disappointed.
#3: Will & Jada Pinkett Smith’s Secret Separation
Just when we thought we knew nearly everything about Jada Pinkett Smith, she surprised us with more unsolicited information. The notorious over-sharer released her memoir “Worthy” in October 2023 and among the many reveals was the truth about her marriage to Will Smith. We’ve already learned that the two have an unconventional relationship, to say the least. But as it turns out, they haven’t officially been together since 2016 which puts a whole new perspective on the 2022 Oscars slap. Between “Red Table Talk” and a slew of on-camera interviews, Will Smith fans in particular continue to condemn Jada for regularly spilling their very personal tea.
#2: Prince Harry’s Royal Family Bombshells
Following in the footsteps of his late mother Diana, Prince Harry continues to expose the monarchy, namely their treatment of him and Meghan Markle. In January 2023’s “Spare”, the Duke of Sussex offered a deeper look into the life of a second-born royal, which he also discussed in a captivating “60 Minutes” interview. Harry talked about grappling with his mother’s untimely death and turning to unhealthy coping mechanisms. He detailed multiple fights with his brother, like when William confronted him about Markle’s perceived rudeness, allegedly resulting in a shouting match that turned physical. Harry also called out his father’s mistress-turned-wife Camilla Parker Bowles, claiming she would deliberately stir up controversy about the family to distract from any bad press about her.
#1: Britney Spears’ Powerful Memoir
After years of media scrutiny and false narratives, Britney Spears got to tell her story in “The Woman in Me” which hit shelves on October 24, 2023. The legendary pop star detailed her road to success, her mental health struggles, and the truth behind an array of controversies over the years. She also wrote about the nightmare of living under the nearly 14-year conservatorship that finally ended in 2021. One of the most shocking revelations was about her unexpected pregnancy with then-boyfriend Justin Timberlake. According to Spears, his strong disinterest in becoming a father prompted her to have an abortion. She also said that Timberlake cheated during their relationship which he ended via text. Fans knew Spears faced hardships but from her POV, it’s all the more disturbing.
What huge revelation surprised you the most? Share your thoughts in the comments below.