
5 Wild Celebrity Controversies The World Seemingly Forgot About But These People Didn’t
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Diverging Reports Breakdown
“Always About You”: Celebrities Shown No Sympathy During California Wildfires
Celebrities faced undue criticism for sharing harrowing videos of their million-dollar homes being burned to the ground in the LA wildfires. At least five people have been killed and many more hurt as the blaze wreaked havoc in the worst-hit areas. The relentless Palisades Fire scorched 17,000 acres of land and has been titled the most destructive wildfire that LA has ever seen. The Eaton Fire, meanwhile, burned through 10,600 acres while the Sunset fire in Hollywood claimed 43 acres. The stars whose homes were burned to ashes included Billy Crystal, who said in a statement that it was the home he and his wife raised their family in for 46 years and their home where they wanted to raise their own someday.“The craziest thing when you’re packing for a fire is that your brain just freaks out,” Heidi Montag, 38, said in an Instagram Story on Wednesday, January 8. “It’s so overwhelming packing up a house. I mean, I only have, like, two pairs of jeans, two shirts. I got so much more clothes for the kids”
Celebrities faced undue criticism for sharing harrowing videos of their million-dollar homes being burned to the ground in the LA wildfires.
As three flames tore through Southern California—one of which has become the most destructive fire in LA history—a number of celebrities were among the 150,000 people that were ordered to evacuate.
Highlights Celebrities like Heidi Montag and Jamie Lee Curtis shared posts about the devastation caused by the LA wildfires.
The Palisades Fire scorched 17,000 acres to become the most destructive wildfire in LA history.
Millionaire CEO Keith Wasserman sparked outrage for inquiring about “private firefighters” to protect his Pacific Palisades home.
“We can house the rich but we can’t house the poor,” a netizen remarked when Kevin Hart shared a post about Airbnb.org “offering free, emergency housing.”
At least five people have been killed and many more hurt as the blaze wreaked havoc in the worst-hit areas.
RELATED:
The Palisades Fire scorched 17,000 acres to become the most destructive wildfire in LA history
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Celebrities like Paris Hilton, Miles Teller, Eugene Levy, Adam Brody and Leighton Meester lost their homes as the blaze ripped through the swanky Pacific Palisades neighborhood.
The relentless Palisades Fire scorched 17,000 acres of land and has been titled the most destructive wildfire that LA has ever seen. The Eaton Fire, meanwhile, burned through 10,600 acres while the Sunset fire in Hollywood claimed 43 acres.
As celebrities fled for their lives, many shared their traumatic experiences on Instagram, but not all social media users were kind with their remarks about them.
“The craziest thing when you’re packing for a fire is that your brain just freaks out,” Heidi Montag, 38, said in an Instagram Story on Wednesday, January 8. “You’re like, ‘What do I need? What do I not need?’ It’s so overwhelming packing up a house. I mean, I only have, like, two pairs of jeans, two shirts. I got so much more clothes for the kids.”
Stars like Heidi Montag shared videos and messages about leaving their LA homes behind and scrambling for safety
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Cameron Mathison, 55, shared a seemingly post-apocalyptic video that showed widespread devastation as fires continued to rage in the distance.
“We are safe,” the All My Children alum wrote in the caption of a video. “But this is what’s left of our beautiful home. Our home where our kids were raised and where they wanted to raise their own someday.”
“Thanks to all who reached out and checked in. Can’t respond to all so wanted to give an update here,” he continued. Sending so many prayers to everyone being affected by these fires.”
As the celebrity posts came pouring in, social media users began criticizing them and refused to feel “sorry.”
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“Who cares they’ve got enough money they wouldn’t have to worry about anything for a hundred lifetimes,” read one comment while another wrote, “Are we supposed to feel sorry for the 1% and celebrity population who lost their homes in this fire and can afford to buy 20 more?”
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“Give me a break…they can afford to rebuild anywhere…most of the population Does Not !” another said.
“Sorry but they are still alive,still rich. So you lost things. I feel for the people that are poor and cant afford to rebuild or find and buy a new home. And the animals who lost their lives. The rich will move on and help each other, but the poor, lets see who helps them,” said another.
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“We should be more focused on the people who lost everything and can’t afford to just buy another one and get new stuff,” one said. “The celebrities will be fine.”
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The stars whose homes were burned to ashes included Billy Crystal, who said in a statement to People that it was the home he and his wife Janice lived in for 46 years and raised their family in.
Paris Hilton also said she had to watch her Malibu beachfront home being torched to the ground and reduced to a pile of rubble in the fires.
“We can house the rich but we can’t house the poor,” a netizen remarked when Kevin Hart shared a post about Airbnb.org “offering free, emergency housing”
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“Heartbroken beyond words,” she wrote on X. “Sitting with my family, watching the news, and seeing our home in Malibu burn to the ground on live TV is something no one should ever have to experience.”
The waterfront home wasn’t the main residence for the family of four.
“This home was where we built so many precious memories. It’s where Phoenix took his first steps and where we dreamed of building a lifetime of memories with London,” she continued.
“My 11:11 Media Impact Team is already reaching out to nonprofit organizations today to figure out how we can best support the communities impacted by these fires,” she added. “We’re committed to offering help as soon as possible and making a meaningful difference for those who need it most.”
Paris Hilton shared the pain of watching her beachfront home burn to ashes on television
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Social media users harshly said that her money would shield her, with one saying: “I have zero sad feelings for her or the other elite affected.”
“I like her but really she’s going to be just fine,” another wrote. “What about all the poor, homeless, and animals this has affected.”
“As sad as this is it is not like she doesn’t have the money to rebuild or other properties she can go to,” another said. “I feel for all involved in this situation because a loss is a loss BUT 100% feel more for those who DON’T have anywhere else to go, DON’T have the money to rebuild or DON’T insurance to cover the losses because they couldn’t afford it.”
“Not like she doesn’t have the money to rebuild or other properties she can go to,” a critic said about Hilton
View this post on Instagram A post shared by Paris Hilton (@parishilton)
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In light of the ravaging fires, a millionaire CEO sparked outrage for asking if he could get help from “private firefighters” to protect his house and was willing to “pay any amount.”
“Does anyone have access to private firefighters to protect our home in Pacific Palisades? Need to act fast here. All neighbors houses burning. Will pay any amount. Thank you,” Keith Wasserman, co-founder of real estate investment firm Gelt Venture Partners, wrote on X.
His tweet was slammed online as one asked, “’So you’re suggesting that potentially lifesaving resources (even if ‘private’) should be diverted to save your house because you’re rich while tens of thousands of people try to evacuate?”
Millionaire CEO Keith Wasserman sparked outrage for inquiring about “private firefighters” to protect his Pacific Palisades home
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“If you find yourself tweeting for private firefighters to protect your property, you should probably question what you have become as a human being,” one said.
“Incredible nerve. His family is evacuated and he’s trying to hire private firefighters to risk their lives to save a home he most certainly has insured. Incredibly tone deaf,” another wrote.
Another world-famous figure who received criticism online was Meghan Markle, who was slammed for sharing a tribute to her deceased rescue beagle, Guy, on Tuesday, January 7.
“Incredible nerve,” read a comment after the millionaire CEO said he was willing to “pay any amount”
“I have cried too many tears to count – the type of tears that make you get in the shower with the absurd hope that the running water on your face will somehow make you not feel them, or pretend they’re not there. But they are. And that’s okay too,” the Duchess of Sussex wrote in her caption.
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“Thank you for so many years of unconditional love, my sweet Guy. You filled my life in ways you’ll never know,” she added.
But social media users thought she was trying to steal the spotlight while “California is burning”.
Meghan Markle was criticized for sharing a post about her deceased pet while “California is burning”
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“Pretty sure there are more important issues facing California right now. Enough with the pr nonsense already,” one social media user said.
“Heartless MeGain! California is burning and you post about your dog that probably died months ago!” another wrote.
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“So she posts this at the time where there are The worst fires in the Los Angeles area!” a third said. “ALWAYS, ALWAYS, ALWAYS ABOUT YOU MEG.”
“Pretty sure there are more important issues facing California right now,” one social media user said
View this post on Instagram A post shared by Meghan, Duchess of Sussex (@meghan)
Chrissy Teigen was also sharply criticized for posing in front of a camera while seemingly packing to evacuate.
“This is surreal. I’m very scared now. Packing,” she wrote.
In another Instagram story, she wrote: “I haven’t had the words, it is a hellscape. We are ok as of right now, and I felt weird saying that with so many people we know and don’t know who are not ok. Thank you for reaching out. Looking for any and all ways to help our community right now, please send anything you see. And God bless the firefighters and all first responders.
“This is surreal. I’m very scared now. Packing,” Chrissy Teigen wrote in an Instagram Story of herself posing in front of the mirror
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Since the fire began on Tuesday, January 7, and raged on through Wednesday, January 8, a number of celebrities have been sharing their experiences of leaving behind their homes to find safety.
“One day you’re swimming in the pool and the next day it’s all gone,” Vampires star James Woods told CNN.
Actress Jamie Lee Curtis had made an appearance on the The Tonight Show on Wednesday and spoke about the catastrophe that struck Southern California.
“As you know, where I live is on fire right now. Literally, the entire city of the Pacific Palisades is burning. I flew here last night. I was on the plane and started getting texts. It’s f–king gnarly, you guys,” she said on the show.
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“I have no words. Only prayers … as I can for our home and our kids while we watch everything burn,” said actress Jennifer Love Hewitt
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“It’s a catastrophe in Southern California. Obviously there has been horrific fires in many places. This is literally where I live. Everything.”
“It’s a really awful situation,” she said as she noted how “many, many, many” of her friends lost their homes.
Meanwhile, Jennifer Love Hewitt shared an image of a car driving past the massive flames and said she had only prayers to offer as she and her kids watched “everything burn.”
“I have no words. Only prayers and holding as much hope as I can for our home and our kids while we watch everything burn,” she wrote in the caption.
Sandra Lee said she cried all night as she told her fans that her house “is gone”
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View this post on Instagram A post shared by Sandra Lee (@sandraleeonline)
“Thank you to every first responder fighting so hard for all of us. Thank you to every friend who reached out and new person I have hugged in tears in the last 24 hours,” she added.
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Sandra Lee shared an up-close view of the fire as it inched closer to her doorstep. She later posted an emotional video about losing her home and everything she owned inside it.
“My house is gone-I cried all night and thought about every room, nook, and cranny. It was perfection and now it’s just Ash. Please keep our community, the firefighters and the first responders in your prayers. This is not over-not even close,” she wrote in one caption.
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The Year in Entertainment: The 24 Weirdest, Wildest Moments of ‘24
Hollywood spent much of this past year obsessing over a historic choice. The election of a very different sort of game show personality to a second term as president of the United States is probably worth noting as we prepare to hurtle into 2025. There were surprise megahits, colossal misfires and more offscreen drama than even Ryan Murphy could stuff into an FX limited series. Nicole Kidman redefined “prolific,” Katy Perryredefined ‘comeback,’ Will Smith made it through another year without slapping anyone.
Should The Bachelorette’s Jenn Tran choose Marcus Shoberg or should she pick Devin Strader?
Of course, other stuff happened in 2024 that had nothing to do with love-sick contestants on a Hawaiian island — like, say, the election of a very different sort of game show personality to a second term as president of the United States — some of which is probably worth noting as we prepare to hurtle into 2025.
For the entertainment industry, this past year was filled both with the familiar tang of despair (the contraction continued, the never-ending layoffs never let up) as well as a new whiff of something that smelled enticingly like hope (box office wasn’t the disaster everyone expected, streaming finally started making money). There were surprise megahits (like Marvel’s Deadpool & Wolverine and HBO Max’s The Penguin), colossal misfires (Francis Ford Coppola’s Megalopolis, Kevin Costner’s Horizon) and more offscreen drama than even Ryan Murphy could stuff into an FX limited series (Diddy’s arrest, Alec Baldwin’s acquittal, whatever it was Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande were doing during that weird Wicked press tour). Nicole Kidman redefined “prolific,” Katy Perry redefined “comeback,” Will Smith made it through another year without slapping anyone (in fact, he had a box office smash!), Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck broke up (again), and George Clooney wrote an op-ed for The New York Times that for some reason people took seriously (honestly, what was everyone thinking?).
Below, THR offers a reminder of what we’ve all been through in 2024 — the good, the bad and the utterly mystifying (who thought turning the Joker sequel into a musical was a good idea?).
Also, just for the record, we knew Tran should have picked Shoberg.
Alison Edmond, Mia Galuppo, James Hibberd, Katie Kilkenny, Pamela McClintock and Alex Weprin contributed to this report.
Hollywood Reacts to Second Trump Presidency Win: “A Sign of Deep Nihilism”
Hollywood went to bed on Tuesday night dreading Donald Trump winning the 2024 presidential election. There were perhaps still hopes of a 2020 style reversal on Wednesday morning, if the big swing states in the much-vaunted ‘Blue Wall’ came through. Alas, the hopes were dashed after Wisconsin was called for Trump, clinching him his 270 electoral votes. The reaction to Trump’s victory was swift on social media, even before the pivotal state of Pennsylvania was called. prominent Democrats and Hollywood figures lamenting the state of affairs and making clear their fears for the future under a second Trump administration. Some reactions have been loud but brief — such as Cardi B’S Instagram Story saying, “I hate y’all bad” — and others, like Oscar-nominated filmmaker and activist Adam McKay, didn’t hold back. “Who would have guessed lying about Biden’ health for 2 yrs, refusing to do an open convention for a new nominee, never mentioning public healthcare & embracing fracking, the Cheneys & a yr long slaughter of children in Gaza wouldn�’n be a winning strategy? Anyone with half a brain?” McKay wrote.
Hollywood went to bed on Tuesday night dreading Donald Trump winning the 2024 presidential election as the former president began racking up state after state. But there were perhaps still hopes of a 2020 style reversal on Wednesday morning, if the big swing states in the much-vaunted ‘Blue Wall’ came through. Alas, the hopes were dashed after Wisconsin was called for Trump, clinching him his 270 electoral votes.
Trump wasted no time in declaring victory, hitting the stage at his victory party at Mar-a-Lago at 2:30 a.m. ET. In his typical meandering and blustering style, the former president claimed a “magnificent” victory. Harris did not speak as election night turned into Wednesday morning and supporters gathered for what was supposed to be a celebration at her alma mater, Howard University. Her campaign co-chair Cedric Richmond told the crowd she will address the nation later Wednesday.
The reaction to Trump’s victory was swift on social media, even before the pivotal state of Pennsylvania was called, with prominent Democrats and Hollywood figures lamenting the state of affairs and making clear their fears for the future under a second Trump administration.
Some reactions have been loud but brief — such as Cardi B’s Instagram Story saying, “I hate y’all bad” — and others, like Oscar-nominated filmmaker and activist Adam McKay, didn’t hold back. On X, he delivered an excoriating take down of the Democrat establishment. “Who would have guessed lying about Biden’s cognitive health for 2 yrs, refusing to do an open convention for a new nominee, never mentioning public healthcare & embracing fracking, the Cheneys & a yr long slaughter of children in Gaza wouldn’t be a winning strategy? Anyone with half a brain?” McKay wrote.
In a statement, former President Barack Obama wrote in part, “As I said on the campaign trail, America has been through a lot over the last few years — from a historic pandemic and price hikes resulting from the pandemic, to rapid change and the feeling a lot of folks have that, no matter how hard they work, treading water is the best they can do. Those conditions have created headwinds for democratic incumbents around the world, and last night showed that America is not immune. The good news is that these problems are solvable — but only if we listen to each other, and only if we abide by the core constitutional principles and democratic norms that made this country great.”
The Don’t Look Up director added, “But I thought liberals’ whole thing is being smart? It’s not? They actually just blindly cheer the parade of rickety optics wrapped up in New York Times fonts that is the modern Dem Party? Well at least it’s time for the dusty hacks & careerists to spread their feathers wide post election and blame Russia and third party candidates. That should fix things.”
Bette Midler, who has been a vocal critic of Trump over the years, quoted journalist and essayist H.L. Mencken. She posted on X before deleting her account: “When a candidate for public office faces the voters he does not face men of sense; he faces a mob of men whose chief distinguishing mark is the fact that they are quite incapable of weighing ideas, or even of comprehending any save the most elemental — men whose whole thinking is done in terms of emotion, and whose dominant emotion is dread of what they cannot understand. So confronted, the candidate must either bark with the pack or be lost… All the odds are on the man who is, intrinsically, the most devious and mediocre — the man who can most adeptly disperse the notion that his mind is a virtual vacuum… The Presidency tends, year by year, to go to such men. As democracy is perfected, the office represents, more and more closely, the inner soul of the people. We move toward a lofty ideal. On some great and glorious day the plain folks of the land will reach their heart’s desire at last, and the White House will be adorned by a downright moron.”
Jamie Lee Curtis wrote, in part: “So the results are in. Many will be celebrating, possibly even gloating over their victory. Many will be stunned and sad with the terrible feelings of the loss. That is the same result despite who wins because that’s what America and democracy looks like. Has always looked like. So what does it mean? It means a sure return to a more restrictive, some fear draconian time. Many fear their rights will be impeded and denied. Many, minority groups and young people will be afraid. Gay and trans people will be more afraid. We know that many women will now find it difficult to get the reproductive healthcare that they need and deserve. For all those people there will be those who will help you. Me included.”
Jeff Bezos celebrated Trump’s win by writing: “Big congratulations to our 45th and now 47th President on an extraordinary political comeback and decisive victory. No nation has bigger opportunities. Wishing @realDonaldTrump all success in leading and uniting the America we all love.”
When a Twitter account told Zachary Levi, who had endorsed Trump in the election, “The only consolation here is that you will never be part of mainstream Hollywood after this. You can make movies with Mel Gibson and Dennis Quaid,” the Shazam! actor tweeted in response, “Oh, it’s all gravy, Roger! My goal has always been to leave it at some point anyway, and build a better system that actually values and compensates the artists more than enriching far too many executives that, by and large, compromise the creative integrity of the art whilst taking the lion share of the proceeds, which they don’t deserve. In addition, I plan on creating a studio that protects and promotes certified organic, human-made content, while mainstream Hollywood continues to replace all of its workforce with AI, simply to maximize their dwindling profits. Enjoy reporting on the sidelines of the Hollywood apocalypse!”
Kerry Washington, who spoke at the DNC this election, wrote of the results, “It was not a mirage. Swipe through. Thank you to @blackliturgies and @wetheurban for these pearls of love, truth, wisdom and humanity. Be kind to yourself today. There is more work to do.”
Billie Eilish took to her Instagram Story to react to the results, writing, “it’s a war on women.”
David Sirota, a journalist and former Bernie Sanders adviser who co-wrote the Oscar-nominated screenplay for Don’t Look Up with McKay, was his usual blunt self on social media, posting on X: “This is a very bad night. Some of us spent years warning Dems to take working-class politics more seriously & to not tout neocons. We did so in hopes of avoiding this & yet we were vilified as traitors by Dem elites & liberal pundits. There’s a lesson here.”
Speaking on his Breakfast Club radio show Wednesday morning, Charlamagne Tha God, who backed Kamala Harris and even hosted an audio town hall for the vice president, accepted the result and chalked it up to the economy and the border more than “racism, sexism, homophobia, antisemitism.”
“Democrats are going to be looking for someone to blame. Let me be the first to tell you it’s not just one thing,” he said. “I personally feel like Donald Trump speaks to people’s grievances better than Democrats do. I know people are going to talk about misinformation and the dumbing down of society, I understand all of that, but you don’t have to be intelligent to know you can’t pay your bills. You don’t have to be intelligent to know you can’t afford groceries. People will forget what you did, they will forget what you said, but they will never forget how you made them feel. … I don’t think it’s fair to just chalk up Trump winning to racism, sexism, homophobia, anti-semitism, yes, he tapped into all of the worst things America has ever had to offer and there are a lot of people who agree his rhetoric and voted for him because of those reasons, but I truly believe most people voted for him because they want more money in their pockets and they want to feel safe. … I’m not saying Donald Trump is going to fix all of that. I’m saying Donald Trump has made people feel like he will fix all of that in a way that Democrats haven’t. Once again, don’t just chalk it up to racism, sexism. OK, I believe those things play a role, but at the end of the day, it’s the economy stupid and Democrats might just be really out of touch with what everyday Americans are feeling.”
An exasperated Christina Applegate also wrote on X: “Why? Give me your reasons why????? My child is sobbing because her rights as a woman may be taken away. Why?And if you disagree , please unfollow me.” She continued in a separate post: “Please unfollow me if you voted against female rights. Against disability rights. Yeah that. Unfollow me because what you did is unreal. Don’t want followers like this. So yeah. Done.”
Black List founder Franklin Leonard was particularly active on social media on election night. Among his tweets, Leonard wrote on X, “Too many of y’all appear to have forgotten how absolutely wild the Trump years were.” And early on Wednesday morning he tweeted, “I don’t have certainty about what just happened, and I’m reasonably certain no one else does either.”
David Simon, the creator of The Wire, Treme and The Deuce, aimed his fury at the X platform in particular. On Tuesday night, Simon tweeted that “hellsite” X would become “a rancid cesspool of lies and disinformation tonight and through the next several days. It was purchased and restructured for this precise purpose. Expect nothing less than a projectile vomiting of hype, falsehoods and petulant rage. And, of course, keep moving forward and toward the light. We can do this.” On Wednesday morning, Simon had seemingly announced he was leaving the platform: “Dormant account under present management of this social media site. Will return to post any subsequent platform, but otherwise unmonitored. God bless us all. Even the scrotes and shitheels.”
Simon’s longtime artistic collaborator Wendell Pierce was also active on election night. The Wire and Treme actor was in a sobering mood, and among his many posts, he said, “Elections have consequences. The Supreme Court will be changed for a generation. I’ll never see a moderate court again in my lifetime. Alito and Thomas will step down and Trump will appoint 40 year old partisans to the bench. The damage he is about to inflict on our institutions the next 2 years will be irreparable.”
A distraught Yvette Nicole Brown posted about Sherrod Brown losing his senate race in Ohio as well as Trump’s dominant win. The Community actress tweeted: “Sherrod Brown losing in Ohio is a lost to Ohio and our nation. This is a disgrace at a level I can’t even quantify. My home state of Ohio chose a criminal. And it looks like this nation is choosing a criminal. AmeriKKKa is showing out tonight. Just showing out.”
13 Reasons Why star Brandon Flynn took to his Instagram Story to share that he was “finally” getting out of bed and feeling “rough.” “To those with Big Feelings, Big Fears and Big anxieties-who might think drugs and alcohol will solve your problems today… they won’t. I’m sending you love and encouragement that just for today, you are not alone and you don’t need to drink or drug. Call a friend, go to a meeting, scream and cry.”
John Cusack was similarly appalled, writing on X in a post that has now been deleted, “The fact that the country would choose to destroy itself by voting in a convicted felon rapist and Nazi is a sign of deep nihilism. To put it mildly.”
Philip Pullman, the British author behind the His Dark Materials books that have been adapted into movies and series, wrote on X, “Goodbye, America. It was nice knowing you.”
Former Desus and Mero co-host Desus Nice tweeted about the result, “America having one of those gender reveals that starts a wildfire that burns for like 30 days.”
Glee star Kevin McHale was very despondent and fearful of what a Trump victory meant. “Supreme Court gone for the rest of my lifetime. Ultra-conservative evangelical bigotry, xenophobia, racism is the mandate,” McHale tweeted.
Read reactions below.
Congratulations President Trump on your victory! We look forward to engaging with you and your administration to help make sure the United States continues to lead with and be fueled by ingenuity, innovation, and creativity. — Tim Cook (@tim_cook) November 6, 2024
Great job giving the MAGA gang more power, America. Wonder how many folks are seeing this and STILL saying “But but but at least he’s not a Black woman!” in the privacy of their homes tonight. My heart is broken 💔 https://t.co/Qiuh1PKTsd — Sophia Bush (@SophiaBush) November 6, 2024
I cannot fathom the feeling of the women who came forward about their sexual assault at the hands of Trump. Seeing millions of people vote for their abuser.
My heart absolutely breaks for these women. I believe you, and I am so sorry. — Lili Reinhart (@lilireinhart) November 6, 2024
so the election ISN’T rigged???? — Andy Cohen (@Andy) November 6, 2024
We must not delude ourselves in this moment. Multiracial democracy in the United States is less than 60 years old. It has always been contested, often violently so. It has always been fragile. Since this nation’s inception large swaths of white Americans — including white women… — Ida Bae Wells (@nhannahjones) November 6, 2024
There’s a sign you can see in many shops that sell beautiful but fragile items: LOVELY TO LOOK AT, DELIGHTFUL TO HOLD, BUT ONCE YOU BREAK IT, THEN IT’S SOLD.
You can say the same about democracy. — Stephen King (@StephenKing) November 6, 2024
My breakfast was a package of Double Stuffed Oreos and a cigarillo, for those considering a wellness check. — Paul Walter Hauser (@PWHIsAWrestler) November 6, 2024
But it is also true that we had not understood that Americans have changed. The majority have now made it clear that they want isolationism. “ America first”. Gone is much of what we valued in America- her nobility & moral commitment to help our allies and address the wrongs… — Mia Farrow 🏳️🌈 🌻🇺🇸💙 (@MiaFarrow) November 6, 2024
Let’s make sure the @nytimes gets all the credit they deserve for what happened tonight. They worked really hard to make Trump look like a normal viable alternative to Kamala and well… — Travon Free (@Travon) November 6, 2024
Well, friends, right wing America has spoken and it is what it is but don’t despair because the pendulum will swing back and we have wonderful people, like Secretary Pete and lots of young voters waiting in the wings.
Have some faith and breathe. — Nancy Sinatra (@NancySinatra) November 6, 2024
Yak Ranchers to ukelele apologies: Where are these cancelled YouTubers now?
Cancelled YouTubers aren’t really a rare occurrence these days, and apology videos are basically a right of way now. Most of the OG creators that dominated the platform are either living quietly off of their fortunes, or hiding in a hole somewhere after a career-destroying mistake. So, how have so many of them managed to be cancelled beyond the point of ever coming back? David Dobrik, Gabbie Hanna and Nikita Dragun are just a few of the stars who are no longer active on YouTube or Instagram but still have millions of followers. The list is compiled by CNN.com’s social media team, and is edited for length, clarity and brevity. For the rest of the list, go to CNN.co.uk/soulmatestories and click through the gallery for the list of the most cancelled Youtubers of all time. For more information on the list and to see the full list of cancelled YouTUBers, click here.
Cancelled YouTubers aren’t really a rare occurrence these days, and apology videos are basically a right of way now. Cast your minds back to the 2010s: Most of the OG creators that dominated the platform are either living quietly off of their fortunes, or hiding in a hole somewhere after a career-destroying mistake.
YouTube in its hayday was a wild place to be. YouTubers were these crazy people with seemingly unlimited pots of money and time to do whatever they wanted: It’s no surprise that nearly 30 per cent of kids between the ages of eight and twelve want to be YouTubers. So, how have so many of them managed to be cancelled beyond the point of ever coming back?
10. David Dobrik
Once upon a time, David Dobrik was one of the biggest creators on YouTube. After skyrocketing on Vine, he jumped over to YouTube, captained the Vlog Squad – his group of friends who were consistently featured in his daily vlogs. He ended up with a net worth of $15 million. But David’s YouTube stunts, which involved many pranks, earned him the reputation of being a bully.
In April 2021, friend of David and Vlog Squad member Jeff Wittek released a five-part video series on his own YouTube channel documenting a June 2020 accident that resulted in the breaking of his face and skull. While shooting David’s comeback vlog after a year-long break, Wittek and a group of Vlog Squad members went wakeboarding, where they were pulled by David, who was filming at the same time. When it was Wittek’s turn, Dobrik raised the line high which caused Wittek to slam into the side of the excavator. He fell down into shallow water while still attached to the line.
Wittek justified his willingness to participate in the doc: “I just jumped out of a plane 20 times. What’s the worst that could happen if I swing from a rope over a one foot deep lake?” But then he added, “I didn’t know I was going to go that fast. So I grabbed the f*****g rope and I tried to make a goddamn funny video for people, but this is where I made a mistake. I forgot that the biggest f*****g idiot I know was driving it.”
Where is David now?
That was the beginning of the end for David and his career. He hasn’t posted a video in two years, but still has a whopping 17.5 million subscribers on YouTube and 10 million Instagram followers. While his days of vlogging are over, he is currently running a pizza business called Doughbriks.
9. Nikita Dragun
Nikita Dragun is a beauty YouTuber who has collabed with many brands and launched her own cosmetics line in 2019.
Throughout her career, she was accused of blackfishing, (darkening her skin to appear racially ambiguous). She was criticised for cultural appropriation after wearing box braids to New York Fashion Week. She also posted the controversial tweet: “What race is Nikita gonna be today?”
She wreaked irreversible damage onto her career during the pandemic, when she was regularly spotted in public without a mask. She was accused of being irresponsible and went on to attend and host parties with other influencers regardless of public health and safety guidelines.
Where is Nikita now?
Nikita hasn’t posted on YouTube in three years, but is still posting influencer style content on her Instagram. She keeps a small internet presence now.
circle small, life private, mind at peace. — Nikita Dragun (@NikitaDragun) October 2, 2022
8. Gabbie Hanna
Gabbie Hanna was always considered one of the more irritating creators on YouTube for constantly inserting herself into other people’s drama. She’s had many a scandal, such as promoting terrible makeup brushes and accusing Trisha Paytas of having herpes which is insane.
Her biggest scandal was when she remained friends with her friend’s ex-boyfriend Curtis Lepore, who plead guilty to felony assault. She was branded a “rape apologist” by many fans and her series of apology videos didn’t land well with anyone. It’s safe to say that she is most definitely still cancelled.
Where is Gabbie now?
https://www.tiktok.com/@gabbiehanna/video/7397490726067621150?lang=en
Gabbie Hanna’s career trajectory was not one I could have predicted. She seems to have strayed from the YouTube bubble and now dedicates her social media to religious preaching and worship, which is quite the turn from her previous content. She also posts a lot of singing videos, so an album of worship songs could be on the horizon.
7. Jaystation
Jaystation was one of the most unhinged YouTubers of his time. He hasn’t been relevant in about three years, and after his insane lineup of actions, it’s not hard to see why. He stole content, disrespected the dead, and had some absolutely insane video ideas.
In a long string of videos, he faked his girlfriend’s death and then supposedly resurrected her. This was around the same time he was bragging about buying “gay potions” and “ordering slaves from the dark web at 3am.” In 2021, his channel was removed by YouTube for violating guidelines.
Where is Jaystation now?
Jaystation seems to have disappeared off the face of the earth. He has no posts on his Instagram, and no YouTube presence. Most YouTubers make an apology video and move on, but now it seems he’s officially cancelled past the point of no return. Maybe all those dark web videos finally caught up to him…
6. Tati Westbrook
For a moment in time, Tati was the reigning queen of MUA YouTubers. She was like a mother on the platform and always seemed so genuine: She never got involved in drama which was rife throughout the 2010s.
All hell broke loose in May 2019. Tati released her Bye Sister video, which was originally the total cancelling of 19 year-old MUA James Charles. She accused him of being a sexual predator who went for straight, underage boys. After James debunked her allegations in a response video, No More Lies, Tati deleted her video and disappeared from the internet.
A year later she returned, saying she was manipulaed by the extremely controversial figures Jeffree Starr and Shane Dawson but has never quite recovered from the scandal.
Where is Tati now?
Although Tati still has a large following, it’s hardly true that she’s still relevant: We’re talking two million followers, five thousand likes. She’s still making MUA content, and her Halo Beauty brand is still selling products. She’s definitely not on the level of fame that she used to be, but is still able to make a career being an influencer after everything that went down.
5. Logan Paul
Logan Paul is probably the longest reigning controversial character on YouTube, and the worst part is that he’s still posting regularly. His controversies included racist tweets, tasering dead rats, saying he’d “go gay for a month” and lassoing women, but none of them come close to the suicide forest video. It shook YouTube irreversibly, and actually contributed to the rise of commentary YouTube channels because so many people were outraged by it.
Where is Logan now?
Logan has been uploading videos on all platforms, and even getting involved in the boxing world. He has fought boxing legends such as Floyd Mayweather. And of course, he’s still in a fictional squabble with his brother. The scariest thing is probably that he’s expecting a baby. Good for him I guess?
4. Colleen Ballinger
Colleen Ballinger was accused of being inappropriate with young fans in a number of ways, such as mistreating fans on stage, using sexually suggestive video titles associated with minors and messaging younger fans, as well as racism and queer-baiting. Basically, there’s nothing she hasn’t been accused of, despite being such a staple of the 2010s YouTube community. She even had a Netflix show!
Where is Colleen now?
Colleen now seems to be living the mommy vlogger life in an attempt to rebrand herself. She gets a fraction of the views she used to and has lost a significant amount of her subscribers.
3. Jeffree Star
Jeffree Star was one of the highest paid YouTubers with a net worth of around $200 million despite literally being cancelled. He’s a makeup artist and founder of Jefree Star Cosmetics and was heavily involved in the Tati Westbrook/James Charles drama. He publicly supported Tati until she came for him in a statement a year later.
He’s also been accused of being racist many times, and his company have allegedly paid thousands in hush money to victims of assault by Star, however this has never been proved.
What is Jeffree up to now?
Jeffree is apparently living out his dreams as a yak rancher in Wyoming. I don’t even know if I’m surprised, because this is exactly the type of thing he’d do. He’s still releasing makeup through Jeffree Star Cosmetics though, which, despite the owner, is a brilliant makeup line.
2. James Charles
YouTube controversy? No matter what it is, James Charles has been there. His career seemed to be skyrocketing to great levels after he became the first male CoverGirl and appeared on Ellen. His YouTube channel hit 25 million subscribers and it seemed like he was on top of the world.
But, it all came crashing down after Tati Westbrook did irreversible damage to his career in her Bye Sister video. He seemed to come out on top of this drama though, and regained most of his lost followers and public opinion.
Unfortunately, James just couldn’t stay out of trouble: In 2021, he was accused by multiple underage boys of grooming.
Where is James now?
Since his scandal, Morphe has cut ties with James, but he’s still posting videos. Although, his net worth is still $22 million so it’s hard to say that he’s lost it all.
However, he seems to be leaning into his controversial side and regularly makes self-deprecating content. The viral video of him singing bring me a little water now at a tragic meet and greet did rounds on TikTok earlier in the year, and he capitalised on it by releasing his new single, Bring Me Water. I think he’s just decided to not take life too seriously anymore.
1. Shane Dawson
Shane Dawson’s career was the ultimate fall from grace. The YouTube documentary maker seemed to be on top of the world: I remember tuning in to his videos straight after school. He averaged around 20-30 MILLION views per video, which was just unheard of at the time, and made many videos that offered insider content about other big YouTube names such as Jake Paul and Jeffree Star.
His life was basically over in June 2020 when videos and recordings of Shane in blackface, using racial slurs, joking about pedophilia and engaging with sexual acts with his cat surfaced online. There was NO coming back from that.
He also got involved with the Tati/James drama which did not help him at all. It seemed to be one accusation after another.
He ended up having a breakdown on a livestream. Afterwards, he made an apology video that nobody took well, and to make matters worse for him, Jaden Smith accused him of sexualising his younger sister Willow Smith who was 11 years old at the time.
Where is Shane Dawson now?
Like Jaystation, Shane has disappeared from the internet. There have been a sightings since 2020, but his social anxiety combined with his worldwide damnation keep his profile pretty low. His fall is one of the craziest of all time on the platform.
Related stories recommended by this writer:
• The Olympics releases statement about the drama around Lady Gaga being pre-recorded
• A look inside all the wholesome relationships of your favourite OG British YouTubers
• The rise and very rapid fall of the British YouTubers we all watched in the early 2010s
13 Nasty Celebrity Feuds That Went Kind Of Bonkers Before They Made Up
Meek Mill accused Drake of using a ghostwriter for their collaboration, “R.I.C.O.” That’s the #1 faux pas in hip-hop, especially when gunning for the GOAT title. The two eventually made up, though.
With his back against the wall, Drake overcame adversity with the release of “Charged Up” and, of course, “Back To Back,” the first diss song to ever earn a Grammy nomination. Drake not only dominated the summer with “Back To Back” but effectively turned the court of public opinion against Meek Mill, and it took a while for Meek to recover.
The two eventually made up, though. While Meek Mill was behind bars after being handed down an outrageous 2-4 year sentence for probation violation, Drake made it clear that he was willing to put their feud behind them. He gave Meek a shout-out on tour, calling for his freedom. Upon Meek’s release, the two reunited and delivered another banger with “Going Bad,” which certainly felt like an appropriate way to end years of tension.
Source: https://www.buzzfeed.com/morganmurrell/celebrity-controversies-scandals-people-forgot-about