Top 10 Times Celebs Called Out Toxic Family Members

Bursting onto the acting scene in 2000, Jennette became one of the most well-known child performers in the industry after starring in “iCarly.” Yet, between 2017-18, she retired from professional acting. Later on, we would discover the heartbreaking reason why. Jennette spoke in interviews and in her 2022 memoir, “I'm Glad My Mom Died,” about the alleged abuse she sustained from her mother, Debra. She pushed Jennette into acting, living vicariously through her with Debra’s own younger acting ambitions. On top of this, she also subjected her daughter to intrusive examinations and emotional abuse. Jennette has spoken honestly about the struggles this experience had on her, especially after Debra’s passing in 2013. Thankfully, Jennette’s doing much better today.

As one-half of the iconic identical twin acting duo alongside Dylan, Cole has spent nearly his whole life in the limelight since making his screen debut less than a year after his birth in 1993. Yet, away from performing, the homelife of the Sprouse brothers was difficult. Cole has spoken in interviews about their experience with their mother, Wright. She pushed the twins into acting. According to Cole, she had substance use disorder and was driven by a narcissistic need to be recognized as an artist. Then, Wright reportedly lost all the money the twins had made from their earliest roles. Due to the struggles, the twins’ father, Matthew, was given forced custody after their divorce. Since then, the Sprouses have had no contact with Wright.

Four years after making her big-screen acting debut, Winter had her big break with the small screen’s “Modern Family” and became a TV star. Yet, in 2012, her sister, Shanelle Workman, applied for guardianship of Winter after allegations she was subjected to abuse from her mother, Chrisoula. In 2015, a year after Shanelle got guardianship, Winter was legally emancipated. Over the years since, Ariel has disclosed her dire situation with Chrisoula. Winter spoke about having a lonely childhood, practically in isolation, as Chrisoula warned her about other girls and even controlled her diet. At the same time, her mother physically and emotionally abused her. Chrisoula also dictated what Winter wore, often making her dress more provocative. But thankfully, due to the good people around her, Winter’s doing better.

Before she became one of the most talented pop singers around, Christina grew up in a turbulent household, which she has spoken about publicly over the years. Back then, she often moved around due to her father’s enrollment in the US Army. But on top of that unsettlement, Fausto was said to have taken out his issues on the family by physically and emotionally abusing Christina and other members. The singer stated music gave her a path to escape the horrid situation. Eventually, her mom and father divorced. But Christina has disclosed the trauma of that upbringing, which is still with her decades on. In 2000, she briefly let Fausto back into her life before becoming estranged once more.

Since being a teenager, Demi has juggled the life of an actor and musician successfully. However, their relationship with their father, Patrick, has been less positive. Demi has spoken about the conflict within themself after Patrick passed away in 2013. They stated that while he wanted to be a good man, he was abusive and he struggled with mental health issues. This experience led to Demi creating the song “Father,” which explored their mixed emotions towards him. In 2018, Demi’s mother, Dianna De La Garza, released her memoir, which detailed the abusive behavior she sustained from Patrick, which caused her to lose a finger. After leaving him, she met Eddie De La Garza, who became a positive force in Demi’s life.

In 2019, news leaked about Britney’s conservatorship. After she was put on an involuntary psychiatric hold in 2008, a group led by her father, Jamie, was legally put in charge of Britney’s affairs. In 2021, after getting public support with the

In the industry of child stars, none have perhaps been as successful as Macaulay, thanks to his success in the “Home Alone” franchise. Yet away from the silver screen, home life was difficult for him with his father, Kit. After his parents split up, a custody battle erupted between them, with Macaulay and his siblings wanting to be with his mom, Patricia Brentrup. He then removed his mother and father from his trust fund to protect its large contents. Since then, he’s been estranged from Kit. Macaulay has stated in interviews that his father, who was an aspiring actor when he was younger, was jealous of his success, so he was mentally and physically abusive to his son and the rest of the family.

With her father, John Drew, being a professional actor, Drew should’ve been protected when she became a child star after “E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial.” Instead, she underwent one of the most turbulent upbringings thanks to John’s violence. When he split with Drew’s mother, Jaid, it got worse for her. Jaid was irresponsible and took young Drew to clubs often. This opened up Drew to drink and use substances. By the time she was in her early teens, she had been in rehab more than once and had a long stint at a psychiatric hospital. She eventually moved in with singer David Crosby and his family to help her stay sober. Drew was later granted emancipation. While she’s never completely forgiven Jaid, Drew stated she was financially supporting her in 2023.

While professionally, he was the King of Pop and one of the most celebrated performers ever, Michael’s personal life was vastly different. In 1993, he was interviewed by Oprah Winfrey, where he discussed the methods of his father, Joe. During The Jackson Five days, Joe would watch them perform over and over with a belt in his hand. If he didn’t like what he saw, he reportedly struck his children. Or, as Michael later called it, “tear you up.” Michael also spoke about his lonely childhood under Joe’s thumb. Instead of being able to play, he had to go to the studio to rehearse or record. In 2003, Joe admitted to whipping, but specified that he didn’t use a stick, as that implied he beat his children.

With her celebrated film work in “The Wizard of Oz” and an outstanding music career, Garland is one of the most beloved icons of the entertainment industry. Yet not only did the MGM studio allegedly mistreat her, but so did her mother, Ethel Gumm. From an early age, Gumm was overbearing when it came to performing. As detailed by Garland to Barbara Walters in 1967, if she felt too ill to perform, Gumm would threaten her daughter with violence. She also described her mother as “very jealous” and “wicked.” It’s even been said that it was Gumm who supplied Garland with substances, some to perk her up, some to help her sleep. This led to a lifelong dependence that resulted in Garland’s passing in 1969.

What other incidents of family members being called out by celebrities did we miss? Let us know below.