If you thought showbiz had mastered the art of drama, 2024 proved that the stars still know how to keep us captivated by the chaos.
Whether it was Sean “Diddy” Combs dominating headlines for all the wrong reasons, Bianca Censori making “pants” an optional part of her fashion choices, or Blake Lively proving that a sharp tongue can cut deeper than couture, the tea was hot, messy, and endlessly scandalous.
So buckle up as we take you through 20 scandals that had the internet gasping and furiously tweeting.
#1
J.K. Rowling’s Scathing Message To Daniel Radcliffe And Emma Watson
In 2024, J.K. Rowling reignited her ongoing feud with Harry Potter stars Daniel Radcliffe and Emma Watson, after they publicly supported the transgender community.
The Harry Potter author, who has faced backlash for her own comments on the matter, suggested that she wouldn’t forgive Daniel and Emma for “cosying up” to the trans movement.
Her statement came in response to an X user, who wrote: “Just waiting for Dan and Emma to give you a very public apology … safe in the knowledge that you will forgive them.”
“Not safe, I’m afraid,” she replied to the X user’s tweet.
“Celebs who cosied up to a movement intent on eroding women’s hard-won rights and who used their platforms to cheer on the transitioning of minors can save their apologies for traumatised detransitioners and vulnerable women reliant on single sex spaces,” she continued.
In a later interview, Daniel reiterated his support for the LGBTQ+ community and said he doesn’t “owe” it to the author to change his views.
“Jo [Joanne Rowling], obviously Harry Potter would not have happened without her, so nothing in my life would have probably happened the way it is without that person,” he said in an interview with The Atlantic.
“But that doesn’t mean that you owe the things you truly believe to someone else for your entire life,” he added.
In response to the writer’s message about never forgiving him, he said: “I will continue to support the rights of all LGBTQ+ people and have no further comment than that.”
#2
Cynthia Erivo Berates A Fan-Made ‘Wicked’ Poster
Wicked, one of the most talked-about movies released this year, sparked massive controversy over a fan-made poster.
The stir began in October when Universal released the original poster for the upcoming Wicked film, featuring Cynthia as Elphaba and Ariana as Glinda.
Fans immediately noticed a resemblance to the original Broadway artwork, but with some noticeable differences.
In the movie version, Cynthia’s Elphaba faces the camera while Grande’s Glinda whispers in her ear, a clear tribute to the Broadway artwork. However, the original poster for the musical had Elphaba’s witch hat lowered to cover her eyes.
Later, a fan created a post inspired by the Broadway artwork and added some creative tweaks to the Universal poster. The self-identified creator covered Elphaba’s eyes with her hat, gave her bright red lips, and made her smirk, much like the musical’s artwork.
After the fan edit caught Cynthia’s attention, the actress slammed the poster, called it “the wildest, most offensive thing I have seen.”
“None of this is funny. None of it is cute. It degrades me. It degrades us. The original poster is an ILLUSTRATION. I am a real life human being, who chose to look right down the barrel of the camera to you, the viewer … because without words we communicate with our eyes.”
“To edit my face and hide my eyes is to erase me. And that is just deeply hurtful,” added the enraged actress.
The fan, who claimed ownership of the poster, released a statement after Cynthia’s rant.
“Fan posters have been around for as long as movies have existed,” the artist said. “I never meant to cause any harm and the poster is just a homage to the original broadway poster, just like the movie’s recreation is.”
#3
Sean “Diddy” Combs’ Past Comes Back To Haunt Him
In a year brimming with celebrity controversies, Sean “Diddy” Combs managed to top the list with one of the most shocking scandals of 2024.
The downfall began when a video of him attacking his ex-girlfriend, singer Cassie Ventura, was shared online.
The surveillance video from 2016 captured the music mogul grabbing, shoving, and kicking his then-girlfriend before dragging her through a hallway of a Los Angeles hotel.
“It’s so difficult to reflect on the darkest times in your life, but sometimes you got to do that. I was f—ed up — I mean, I hit rock bottom — but I make no excuses,” the Last Night singer said in a public apology.
“My behavior on that video is inexcusable,” he added. “I take full responsibility for my actions in that video. I’m disgusted. I was disgusted then when I did it. I’m disgusted now.”
The music mogul was arrested in New York City in September on federal charges of racketeering conspiracy, sex trafficking by force, and transportation for purposes of prostitution.
Authorities accused him of orchestrating a network that forced victims into non-consensual intimate acts, often under the influence of illegal substances, and using threats and violence to maintain control.
His multiple bail requests were denied, and his trial is expected to begin in 2025.
In addition to his federal charges, numerous others have come forward with their own accusations against the rap mogul. High-profile attorney Tony Buzbee said he would be representing 120 alleged victims, which includes 60 males and 60 females.
“This should have never been allowed to go on for so long. This conduct has created a mass of individuals who are injured, scared and scarred,” Tony said during a press conference in October.
#4
Ariana Grande’s Evolving Persona Confuses Fans
Ariana Grande faced scrutiny in 2024 over perceived changes in her accent and appearance, leading to widespread discussion among fans.
Fans observed a shift towards a more transatlantic accent when the singer hosted a segment at the 96th Academy Awards ceremony alongside her Wicked co-star Cynthia Erivo this year.
Social media users also thought she turned into a completely “different person” after her 2015 interview with Vanity Fair resurfaced.
The hitmaker further surprised her fans when she noticeably switched up her vocal register in the middle of an interview with Penn Badgley for his podcast Podcrushed in June.
Online comments prompted the singer to address why she changed the pitch of her voice right in the middle of a conversation.
“Habit (speaking like this for two years) and also vocal health :)” she commented on a video that captured her quick switcheroo.
This year, fans were also left wondering why she looked noticeably thin and “sickly.”
“As someone who has been severely underweight, Ari does look very much so underweight here,” one fan said, while another remarked, “This cannot be healthy.”
#5
Hugh Jackman’s Alleged Affair Stirs Up Headlines
Australian heartthrob Hugh Jackman was branded a “cheater” this year after rumors about his romantic relationship with his Broadway co-star, Sutton Foster.
Sources claimed the X-Men star separated from his wife, Deborra-Lee Furness, last year, after nearly three decades of marriage.
“Sutton and Hugh’s relationship is the reason Hugh and Deb got divorced,” a source told Us Weekly in November.
“A lot of people on Broadway knew, and we kept it quiet because both of them are so nice and great people. Everyone respected their privacy. But there was an affair and overlap,” the insider continued.
“They are 100 percent together and are in love and want to spend the rest of their lives together,” a source also told Page Six about the two performance artists, who worked together on The Music Man, which ran from December 2021 to January 2023 on Broadway.
Sutton had also filed for divorce this year from her husband of 10 years, Ted Griffin.
#6
MrBeast Faces Public Scrutiny
In 2024, Jimmy Donaldson, widely known as MrBeast, faced a series of controversies that challenged his public image and business operations.
In July, Ava Kris Tyson, a prominent figure on the MrBeast channel, was accused of inappropriate interactions with minors. These allegations led to her departure from the channel and prompted MrBeast to commission an independent investigation. The investigation concluded that the allegations were baseless, finding no evidence of sexual misconduct or awareness of illegal activities by the company’s leadership.
In October 2024, YouTuber Rosanna Pansino filed an FBI report against MrBeast and Ava, alleging inappropriate communications within their company’s internal chat logs.
MrBeast also faced significant criticisms after his old videos captured him making problematic statements.
One particularly controversial clip from 2017 showed a young Jimmy responding to a viewer’s comment about “selling Black people for money.”
“The most I would pay is probably 300,” he said in the clip that was laden with racially insensitive remarks.
Another disturbing clip from a podcast in 2017 featured the content creator making inappropriate comments about rapper Bhad Bhabie, whose real name is Danielle Bregoli. At the time, Bhad Bhabie was only 14 years old, and the YouTube big shot suggested he would have sex with her.
#7
Ellen Degeneres Packs Up And Moves To The UK
This year saw Ellen DeGeneres pack her bags and left her life in the US behind.
The former talk show host moved to the UK countryside with her longtime wife, Portia de Rossi, and their decision was party influenced by Donald Trump’s victory in the latest presidential elections.
Some netizens were thrilled by the couple’s decision to sell their home in California to find a new address in Cotswolds, UK.
“Praise god they are leaving,” read one comment.
“Oh wow – this honestly IS a good news year for the US!!!!” another declared, while a third wrote, “My condolences to the U.K.”
#8
Sabrina Carpenter Performs Steamy Acts Onstage
Sabrina Carpenter’s 2024 Short n’ Sweet tour triggered plenty of conversations this year, and not all of them were about her energetic performances.
The singer of the hour served up some racy moments on stage, one of which included performing Bed Chem on a plush, swanky-looking bed.
As she wrapped up the song, a curtain fell, revealing the songstress performing a sexual act in front of screaming fans.
While some praised the act, others weren’t too happy about it and made sure to let the internet know.
“Oh this is disgusting,” read one comment, while a second said, “Omggg she’s vile.”
Some joked about watching the show with their family members.
“IM SUPPOSED TO GO WITH MY MOM,” one fan said.
Another wrote, “My mom side eyed me during this part.”
Sabrina spoke about how fans continuously speculate whether her family members give her the side-eye for the sensual elements of her show.
“My fans online are like, I can’t believe she’s bending over in front of her grandparents!” she told Time in an October interview. “I’m like, girl, they are not paying attention to that. They’re just like, I can’t believe all these people are here.”
#9
Alyssa Milano Faces Backlash For Crowdfunding While Living A Lavish Life
Actress Alyssa Milano faced public scrutiny in early 2024 after launching a GoFundMe campaign to raise money for her 12-year-old son Milo Thomas’s baseball team’s trip expenses.
Critics questioned the necessity of crowdfunding given Milano’s estimated $10 million net worth.
The actress defended her initiative, stating she had already made significant personal contributions, including funding uniforms for the entire team.
The controversy intensified when the Charmed star attended the Super Bowl with Milo shortly after the fundraising appeal.
Some observers pointed out the irony of attending a high-cost event while soliciting donations for a youth sports trip.
“I’m getting media inquiries about whether I have financially contributed to my son’s baseball team,” she said in a statement, responding to the backlash.
“I’ve paid for uniforms for the entire team and coaches, thrown bday parties and sponsor any kid who can’t afford monthly dues,” she wrote.
“The kids also do fundraising themselves—car washes, movie nights, and many other fun things! Thank you to all who have contributed to the gofundme! You’ve made things easier for these boys and their families.”
#10
The Khy Brand Is Accused Of More “Copy” Than “Kylie”
Kylie Jenner was accused of fashion theft this year after Australian designer Jessica Johansen-Bell, the owner of boutique label Johansen, claimed Kylie’s fast-fashion line, Khy, copied her designs.
The designer took to TikTok on March 1, 2024, to accuse the reality TV star of ripping off her dresses, which were launched three or four years ago by her brand.
Jessica pointed out the striking similarities between Khy’s latest collection and her own signature pieces.
Despite reaching out to Khy’s team for clarification, Jessica received a response claiming the designs were the result of “hard work and innovation.”
The backlash against Kylie and Khy was swift, with fans and influencers rushing to Jessica’s defense, calling the designs “identical” and accusing the fashion mogul of stealing.
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