Top 10 Stars Who Were Fired from Reality Shows
Top 10 Celebs Who Were Fired from Reality Shows
Top 10 Celebs Who Were on Multiple Reality Shows
We all make mistakes, but these flubs came with a price. Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we’re counting down our picks for the Top 10 Celebs Who Were Fired from Reality Shows. For this list, we’re looking at celebrities who were reportedly either dismissed from or not brought back to shows they were on - or forced the cancelation of their shows. We’re also considering people who became famous because of their shows. However, we’ll be excluding contestants who never achieved fame outside of their show, like “Big Brother’s” Aaryn Gries.
#10: Farrah Abraham
“Teen Mom OG” (2009-)
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This reality TV mainstay found herself in hot water in 2017. Abraham, a former “16 and Pregnant” and “Celebrity Big Brother” star, was fired from “Teen Mom OG” for her continued participation in the adult film industry. The story goes that the show’s producers issued her an ultimatum: quit porn or walk. Abraham chose the latter, but soon filed a $5 million lawsuit against Viacom and “Teen Mom” producer Morgan J. Freeman. In it, Abraham claimed she’d been "harassed, humiliated and discriminated against, disrespected, ridiculed and sex shamed" by Freeman and co. the day before she was let go. While the lawsuit was later dropped, Abraham’s time as a “Teen Mom OG” cast member was officially over.
#9: Jon Gosselin
“Jon & Kate Plus 8” (2007-17)
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One of the most popular reality TV shows of the 2000s, “Jon & Kate Plus 8” focused on the titular couple as they attempted to raise their eight children. The highly rated program regularly drew in millions of viewers, but things appeared to come crashing down when Jon and Kate filed for divorce in 2009. The details are a little murky, but most agree that it was Jon’s infidelities that led to the split. Things quickly got messy, with Jon and the show both filing legal suits against one another. The show was later retitled “Kate Plus 8”, with Jon at first minimally and then ultimately no longer involved at all. It seemed things eventually came full circle in late 2019, when Kate reportedly stated in court that her relationship with TLC had been terminated.
#8: Chad Johnson
“Bachelor in Paradise” (2014-)
In his reality TV debut on “The Bachelorette”, Chad Johnson distinguished himself from the other contestants with his abrasive and violent behavior. However, he was brought back to participate in the third season of “Bachelor in Paradise”. He didn’t fare much better on the spin-off series, getting drunk and arguing with fellow contestants Lace, Izzy and Sarah in the very first episode. Johnson’s unhinged behavior drew the ire of host Chris Harrison, who demanded that he apologize for his actions. Johnson refused and instead began hurling insults at the host. Harrison had seen enough and had Johnson removed from the show. Chad Johnson is exactly the kind of personality reality TV thrives on, so it’s not exactly a surprise to learn he’s continued to find work within the industry.
#7: Jeremy Clarkson
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“Top Gear” (2002-)
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Like a police officer trying to nab him for driving above the speed limit, controversy has followed Jeremy Clarkson around for decades. The indomitable former “Top Gear” presenter has long been accused of or caught using racist and homophobic language, but always managed to emerge with his job status intact. That came to a crashing halt in 2015, when Clarkson was suspended for allegedly assaulting “Top Gear” producer Oisin Tymon while filming in North Yorkshire, England. The story goes that Clarkson grew angry after being served soup and cold cuts for dinner, instead of his desired meal of steak. Despite an online petition to keep Clarkson on the show receiving more than one million signatures, the BBC opted not to renew the host’s contract.
#6: Jenelle Evans
“Teen Mom 2” (2011-)
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What can we say about Jenelle Evans and her tumultuous relationship with former hubby David Eason that hasn’t already been said (or seen)? Evans rose to fame thanks to her long-time gig as a cast member on “Teen Mom 2”. It was during her time on the show that she met and wed ex-con David Eason, with the two going on to have a daughter together. Sadly, his behavior grew increasingly erratic, and he was let go from “Teen Mom 2” in February 2018. Janelle remained with the show but continued to suffer under Evans’ abusive nature (including an incident in which he shot and killed her dog). Ultimately, MTV decided they wanted no part of the relationship and cut ties with Jenelle as well.
#5: Danielle Staub
“The Real Housewives of New Jersey” (2009-)
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The “Real Housewives” franchise has had no shortage of explosive dismissals over the years, with names like Phaedra Parks and Danielle Staub immediately coming to mind. While the former actually managed to stick around for a few seasons before being canned for starting a truly despicable rumor, the latter only lasted two measly seasons. Staub was shown the door prior to the start of season three of “The Real Housewives of New Jersey”, after a string of truly crazy behavior landed her in the producer’s naughty books. From her epic fight with Teresa Giudice to allegations of prostitution and drug use, it was only a matter of time before Staub was fired.
#4: Josh Duggar
“19 Kids and Counting” (2008-15)
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In 2015 it was revealed that Josh Duggar, the eldest of the “19 Kids and Counting” brood, had molested a number of underage girls when he was a teenager; including several of his sisters. In response to the revelations, Duggar apologized for having “acted inexcusably" and “19 Kids and Counting” was suspended indefinitely. Additionally, Duggar was revealed to have been a member of the infamous dating website for married people or those in relationships, Ashley Madison. “19 Kids and Counting” was later cancelled, as TLC clearly felt the heinous nature of the crimes had permanently scarred the program. However, that didn’t stop them from launching the spin-off series “Counting On”, which experienced its own bout of controversy when Jill Duggar’s husband, Derick, tweeted a number of hateful, transphobic remarks. He was later fired.
#3: June Shannon
“Here Comes Honey Boo Boo” (2012-14)
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Though she and her family first appeared on “Toddlers and Tiaras” in 2012, it was later that same year that June "Mama June" Shannon really entered the pop culture lexicon thanks to her starring role on TLC’s “Here Comes Honey Boo Boo.” The show, which revolved around her daughter’s quest to become a child beauty pageant star, was a major success. Unfortunately, the party ended in 2014 amidst reports that Shannon was dating a convicted child molester. Ugh, and you thought the child beauty pageant stuff was bad. To make matters infinitely worse, the man in question had been sent away in part for molesting June Shannon’s own daughter years earlier! Suffice it to say, TLC didn’t want to air a show starring a woman who was dating a child molester. So Shannon and the show were canned.
#2: Paula Deen
Multiple
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This southern celebrity chef was one of the Food Network’s hottest stars throughout the 2000s and early 2010s. She hosted three different shows for the network, “Paula's Home Cooking”, “Paula's Best Dishes”, and “Paula's Party”. However, in 2013 she was sued for racial and sexual discrimination, with Deen admitting in her deposition that she had used the N-word in the past. Additionally, the lawsuit alleged that Deen had thought about hosting a “true Southern plantation” themed wedding for her brother, complete with a staff of all black servers. In response, the Food Network cut ties with Deen, cancelling her shows, endorsement contracts and publishing deals. Before we unveil or number one pick, here are some honorable mentions:
Yung Berg
“Love & Hip Hop: Hollywood” (2014-)
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Thomas Ravenel
“Southern Charm” (2014-)
Paulina Porizkova
“America's Next Top Model” (2003-)
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Brandi Glanville
“The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills” (2010-)
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Nigel Barker
“America's Next Top Model” (2003-)
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#1: Gabrielle Union & Julianne Hough
“America's Got Talent” (2006-)
Contrary to the other celebs on our list, these former “America’s Got Talent” judges appear to have been fired for doing the right thing. Gabrielle Union and Julianne Hough were judges on “America’s Got Talent’s” fourteenth season but failed to have their contracts renewed beyond that. Why? Well, it appears both women were subjected to unfair treatment on set, with Union allegedly being told her haircuts were “too black”, while Hough was criticized for her style choices. However, when they spoke up about the toxic work environment, they were promptly shown the door. Both women have set their sights on effecting positive change in the workplace, with Hough quipping, “We need to start conversations and I just commend Gabrielle for speaking her truth and starting a conversation.”
