Top 20 Virtue Signaling Celebs Who Turned Out to Be TERRIBLE People

#20: Joss Whedon

Millions of fans were disappointed when this Hollywood favorite was brought down from his moral high horse. Joss Whedon, known for creating seminal fantasy works like Buffy the Vampire Slayer and The Avengers, often included progressive themes in his projects. However, his political expression has been extreme. He often resorts to violent metaphors to express his criticism of conservatives. He also admitted to having a specific distaste for the word feminist. However, this wasnt enough to cancel him. That happened when actors Ray Fisher, Jason Momoa, Charisma Carpenter, and many others accused him of toxic behavior and power tripping. He has since been lying low.

#19: Ezra Miller

There was a time when the Afterschool actor was hailed as an LGBTQ+ icon. They are a part of the community and have never hesitated to show their pride in the same. Furthermore, their support for the #MeToo movement earned them the title of woke from the media. However, their career hit a nadir when they got involved with a slew of violent incidents. This included claims that they choked a woman, committed theft, threatened people, and behaved inappropriately with minors, among other allegations. Miller eventually apologized for their misconduct, opening up about their struggle with mental health issues. However, their reputation is nowhere close to being restored.

#18: Meghan Markle

The Duchess of Sussex is not exactly a media darling. However, her leftist politics are not to blame. Instead, she has been slammed for having double standards. She puts considerable effort into raising awareness about climate change and then turns around to hop on a private jet. Similarly, she prides herself on her philanthropy but is known for reportedly having lavish spending habits. Even her Netflix show With Love, Meghan was criticized for being tone-deaf by outlets like The Guardian. Similarly, Meghan advocates for social justice and mental wellness, but was once accused of creating a toxic work environment for her royal staff. So, even if she is being sincere, it comes across as performative, and she doesnt give critics any reason to believe otherwise.

#17: Alyssa Milano

The Melrose Place actress is known for supporting causes like gun control and animal welfare. She was also one of the pioneers of #MeToo. However, when she stood behind Joe Biden during the 2020 U.S. presidential election despite Tara Reade accusing him of sexual assault, it made followers turn their backs on her. To add to that, her Charmed co-star Rose McGowan claimed she was the reason why the shows set was, in her words, toxic AF. Holly Marie Combs further alleged that Milano got Shannen Doherty removed from the show. In another instance, fans called her out for attending the 2024 Super Bowl after raising funds for her sons baseball team days prior. Clearly, her wokeness wasnt enough to overlook her wrongs.

#16: Noel Clarke

The British creative took the entertainment industry one step forward and ten steps back. He fought for inclusivity on screen and demanded that production crews consist of individuals from diverse backgrounds. His work in British film and TV was highly regarded and won him the BAFTA Outstanding British Contribution to Cinema Award in 2021. However, the honor was short-lived, as he was hit with accusations of sexual and verbal harassment by multiple women that same year. He was suspended by the BAFTA, and so was his award. As of April 2025, Clarke continues to deny the allegations of misconduct made against him.

#15: Justin Baldoni

Its ironic that someone who hosts a podcast called Man Enough went on to be accused of sexual harassment. Justin Baldoni prides himself on his progressive views about gender roles and masculinity. He has worked with the Tahirih Justice Center to support female immigrants affected by gender-based violence. However, his spotless image was tarnished when Blake Lively sued him for alleged sexual misconduct on the set of It Ends with Us. The New York Times also claimed that he conducted a smear campaign against the actress. Baldoni denied both claims and counter-sued Lively alongside her husband, Ryan Reynolds, for defamation. He threw another lawsuit at the NYT for libel. The jurys still out on whether Baldoni was wrongly blamed, but his reputation has been marred.

#14: James Corden

The talk show host rose to fame for his friendly personality. He had been open about growing up in a humble household and facing taunting, which endeared him to his audience. During the COVID-19 pandemic, when his Late Late Show employees had been dismissed, he paid them out of his pocket. However, this gentlemanly facade slipped when he was accused of being rude to the waitstaff at the renowned Balthazar restaurant in New York City and was banned from the establishment. Then, director Craig Duncan claimed Corden had been harsh on him and a writer on the set of A League of Their Own. Mel B also called him out for not being, quote, very nice. Ultimately, his improper attitude became impossible to ignore.

#13: Russell Brand

The English comedians wokeness has gone hand-in-hand with the more offensive parts of his personality for as long as we can remember. Up until the COVID-19-induced lockdown, he was known for his liberal views. He was famously anti-establishment, environmentally conscious, spoke out against capitalism, worked toward destigmatizing substance use disorder, and pushed egalitarianism. Spirituality was also a major part of his public image. However, in recent years, he has adopted a distinctly anti-woke persona, turning into a right-wing conspiracy theorist of sorts. Politics aside, several women have also come forward with sexual misconduct allegations against him, one of the earliest instances of which reportedly dates back to 1999. Despite this, his social media influence has continued to thrive.

#12: J. K. Rowling

The Harry Potter authors switch-up from a beloved icon of love and friendship to an intolerant individual spewing constant contempt against the transgender community is baffling. She has publicly opposed trans rights and claimed that the societal acceptance of transgender women undermines cisgender women. All this coming from someone who has championed womens reproductive rights and donated generously to causes supporting women is even more shocking. Rowling is also infamous for reinforcing racial stereotypes in Harry Potter despite preaching equality, representation, and inclusivity in real life. If that wasnt bad enough, she has taken flak for apparent body-shaming, too. No wonder loyal fans and even the main trio of HP, Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, and Rupert Grint, have distanced themselves from her.

#11: Neil Gaiman

The downfall of this once-revered author came completely out of left field. Neil Gaiman was celebrated for his representation of the LGBTQ+ community in works like Good Omens and The Sandman. He was dedicated to advocating for refugees all over the world and was recognized as a staunch feminist. However, it all became meaningless when several women, including a former nanny for Gaimans child and an ex-tenant of his, came forward with accusations of sexual assault against him. The carefully curated woke empire he had built came crumbling down, leaving nothing but disgust in its wake.

#10: Shia LaBeouf

If you grew up with Even Stevens, Holes, or the Transformers movies, you likely know this versatile actor well which makes some of his adult choices harder to stomach. LaBeouf has been outspoken in political activism, using his eccentric performance art to express his views. Notably, he co-launched the He Will Not Divide Us project in 2017 to protest Donald Trumps inauguration. However, his personal life has been riddled with controversy, including arrests for disorderly conduct and intoxication. More seriously, two former partners have accused him of inappropriate behavior. While LaBeouf has made efforts to turn his life around after embracing Christianity, the industry is understandably skeptical about his values.

#9: Asia Argento

This Italian actress and director was a major voice in the #MeToo movement after accusing Harvey Weinstein of sexual assault. In 2018, she took the stage at Cannes with a fiery speech calling out industry predators. But just months later, things took a messy turn when actor Jimmy Bennett accused Argento of assaulting him when he was a teen. Argento denied any wrongdoing, but was linked to a $380,000 settlement meant to keep things quiet. Then, leaked photos and texts suggested something did happen, and Argento was ultimately dropped from X Factor Italy. Needless to say, it was a shocking turn of events for someone who had been at the forefront of such a major movement.

#8: Amber Heard

When the Aquaman actress opened up about allegedly suffering domestic abuse at the hands of Johnny Depp, some saw it as an act of tremendous courage in line with the #MeToo wave. She was a humanitarian known for her goodwill, and fans quickly rallied behind her. However, Depp sued her for defamation and won, reportedly revealing that she had been abusive in their relationship. Not only did this lead to intense outrage against Amber, but it also affected the movement she had become a representation of. Tarana Burke, who founded MeToo, asserted that it did not deal a death blow to the fight against sexual misconduct. That said, the fact that she had to clarify this proved that some damage had indeed been done.

#7: James Franco

Celebrated for his roles in films like 127 Hours and The Disaster Artist, Franco has aligned himself with progressive causes. He was a 2013 recipient of the Ally Award for his outspoken support for the LGBTQIA+ community, and expressed support for the sentiments behind the #MeToo movement. In 2018, however, Franco faced scrutiny when multiple women accused him of misconduct, alleging that he behaved inappropriately with them in several settings including acting classes where he had served as the instructor. The controversy led to a major career fallout, with Franco stepping away from the spotlight for several years.

#6: Chrissy Teigen

Political activism is a major part of this model and television personalitys reputation. Teigen has frequently used her platform to raise her voice about a variety of sensitive topics. Whats more, shes been the first to criticize certain individuals and call out what she sees as problematic behavior. That is, until Teigens unproblematic queen status was dramatically soured in 2021. Model Courtney Stodden revealed that Teigen had sent them abusive messages in 2011. Others would come to accuse Teigen of similar online harassment. This, of course, starkly contrasts with Teigen's persona as a proponent of kindness and peace.

#5: Lena Dunham

Although some have hailed the creator of the TV series Girls and the newsletter Lenny Letter as a feminist icon, Dunham has also faced some major criticism throughout her career. In her 2014 memoir, she detailed childhood experiences with her younger sibling that many perceived as reprehensible. Furthermore, in 2017, Dunham defended Girls writer Murray Miller against sexual assault allegations from actress Aurora Perrineau, suggesting such accusations are often misreported. She would later issue an apology for this statement. Additionally, her 2016 comment that she wished she had terminated a pregnancy, to empathize with others, drew sharp rebukes for its insensitivity. These instances highlight a disparity between Dunham's advocacy and personal actions.

#4: Armie Hammer

In his early years, Hammer cultivated an image as a progressive and socially conscious individual. The actor has expressed support for various social justice movements, aligning himself with causes advocating for equality and ethical treatment. But this all came to a halt in 2021, when multiple women accused Hammer of violent, manipulative, and coercive actions. Although he denied these claims and no criminal charges were pressed, Hammer found himself up against a public relations crisis. Not only do the allegations against Hammer challenge the authenticity of his previously championed values, but they also included a creepy cannibal rumor.

#3: Jussie Smollett

Although he had previously enjoyed moderate success as an actor and activist, Smolletts career was largely overshadowed by a certain incident. You know which one we mean. In 2019, Smollett claimed to be the victim of a racist and homophobic attack in Chicago, drawing national attention and support from various figures. But it wasnt long before investigations determined that he had staged the attack. This led to criminal charges, and he was convicted of disorderly conduct for filing a false police report. The controversy surrounding this case has become the defining moment of Smolletts public life.

#2: Ellen DeGeneres

Oh, Ellen. What happened? As a rising star in the 80s and 90s, DeGeneres entire image was one of kindness, acceptance, and lighthearted fun. She broke barriers as an openly gay celebrity and built her brand around the motto Be kind. But behind the scenes, things werent so wholesome. In 2020, reports emerged that The Ellen DeGeneres Show fostered a toxic workplace. Former employees accused Ellen of allowing and even contributing to a culture of fear. For someone who lived by the phrase Be kind, these revelations were a shocking contradiction. While DeGeneres issued an apology, the damage was done, and the once-beloved talk show host saw her reputation take a major hit.

#1: Kanye West

This famously self-assured rapper has long positioned himself as a fighter of progress, once famously declaring that George Bush doesnt care about Black people in response to Hurricane Katrina. Over the years, he aligned himself with various causes and spoke out against systemic oppression. However, his later actions painted a very different picture. From publicly harassing his ex-wife Kim Kardashian to making repeated antisemitic remarks, Wests behavior became increasingly erratic and troubling. Despite once advocating for marginalized communities, hes also alienated many with hateful rhetoric and conspiracy theories. How could someone who once called out injustice become an apologist for it?

Do you think woke celebs are held to higher standards of morality than others? Share your thoughts in the comments down below!