In 2024, numerous celebrity controversies have shaken the entertainment world to its core. From shocking legal battles involving unexpected stars to social media outbursts from beloved figures, many celebrities found themselves in hot water this year, igniting major debates and discussions.
Who could forget the scandal surrounding Sean “Diddy” Combs or the intense scrutiny J.K. Rowling faced once again for her social media posts? Their issues dominated headlines and became the talk of the town.
However, their dramas are not the only ones that captivated audiences. With that in mind, here are the top 10 celebrity controversies of 2024.
10. Blake Lively
While promoting her 2024 film It Ends With Us, Blake Lively inadvertently stole the spotlight for all the wrong reasons. Instead of focusing on the movie, the Gossip Girl alum garnered negative attention for prioritizing her haircare line and navigating discreet conflicts within the cast.
Critics accused her of trivializing the film's serious subject matter, which addresses themes of domestic violence and generational trauma, by encouraging viewers to “wear florals and come with their girlfriends.”
Although Lively attempted to shift her tone later in the promotional campaign, it was perceived as too little, too late, with many expressing discontent over how It Ends With Us was marketed.
The disconnect between the film's heavy themes and Lively's lighthearted promotion raised significant concerns about the message conveyed to audiences.
9. Katy Perry
Katy Perry made her much-anticipated comeback this year with her new album, 143. However, rather than generating excitement for her return, the album sparked controversy due to her collaboration with the contentious producer Dr. Luke.
Dr. Luke is known for facing a now-dismissed lawsuit from singer Kesha, who accused him of rape and emotional abuse—allegations he has vehemently denied.
This association led to criticism of Perry's message of "female empowerment" in her song "Woman's World," as many felt it undermined the serious themes of the album.
Consequently, 143 received dismal reviews, earning a low score of 35 on Metacritic, making it one of the worst-reviewed albums in recent history.
8. Ellen DeGeneres
Ellen DeGeneres has always been a controversial figure, and this year, she made headlines once again after relocating to the U.K. with her wife, Portia de Rossi, following Donald Trump's victory in the 2024 presidential election.
The move was met with mixed reactions. While some expressed relief at her departure, others criticized it as an escape from accountability for her past controversies related to her now-canceled talk show.
Insiders suggested that DeGeneres had been contemplating this change long before the election results were announced, viewing it as a form of retirement after facing backlash over allegations of creating a toxic work environment.
Ultimately, her decision to leave the U.S. has been interpreted by many as an attempt to distance herself from the fallout of her career and the shifting public perception surrounding her.
7. Ariana Grande
Ariana Grande faced scrutiny over noticeable changes in her accent and appearance, which were far different from the Nickelodeon star many fans once adored.
Many couldn’t help but notice her shift toward a more transatlantic accent during a segment she hosted at the 96th Academy Awards alongside her Wicked co-star Cynthia Erivo in March.
Social media buzzed with comments suggesting that she had transformed into a "completely different person," especially after a 2015 interview with Vanity Fair resurfaced and highlighted her altered vocal register during a June podcast interview with Penn Badgley on Podcrushed.
Although Grande attributed these changes to habit and vocal health—explaining that she had been speaking this way for two years—fans remained puzzled. They also questioned why she appeared thinner and "sickly" this year.
6. MrBeast
The significant controversy surrounding MrBeast this year has challenged both his public image and business operations.
It all began in July when Ava Kris Tyson, a prominent figure from his channel, was accused of "inappropriate interactions with minors."
This led to her departure from the channel and prompted MrBeast to initiate an independent investigation, which concluded that the allegations were baseless and lacked evidence of sexual misconduct or any illegal activities under the company's leadership.
In October, YouTuber Rosanna Pansino filed an FBI report against MrBeast and Tyson, alleging inappropriate communications within their company’s internal chat logs.
Additionally, MrBeast faced renewed criticism when old videos resurfaced, revealing him making racially insensitive remarks and inappropriate comments about minors.
As fans expressed feelings of betrayal over his past behavior, this series of controversies significantly impacted MrBeast’s reputation as a family-friendly content creator.
5. Hugh Jackman
After making headlines for his highly anticipated big-screen return as Logan in Deadpool & Wolverine in July, Hugh Jackman stirred up controversy due to his alleged affair with Broadway co-star Sutton Foster. Rumors have it that the X-Men star separated from his wife, Deborra-Lee Furness, after 27 years of marriage in 2023 due to his relationship with Sutton, earning him the label of "cheater."
A source even told Us Weekly in November, "Sutton and Hugh’s relationship is the reason Hugh and Deb got divorced."
Adding more fuel to the fire, Sutton filed for divorce from her husband, Ted Griffin, after nearly ten years of marriage this year.
As details of this scandal continue to unfold, Jackman’s reputation as a beloved figure in Hollywood faces significant scrutiny amidst these allegations.
4. Jennifer Lopez
Jennifer Lopez found herself in hot water in February following the release of her Amazon Prime documentary, The Greatest Love Story Never Told.
In the film, she reminisced about her teenage years in the Bronx, describing herself as a "crazy little girl" who was wild and full of dreams. However, many viewers felt her portrayal was inauthentic and disconnected from her Bronx roots.
This led to a wave of mocking videos across various social media platforms, with some accusing her of being a “self-absorbed starlet” lacking a genuine connection to the neighborhood she claimed to represent.
The backlash significantly impacted ticket sales for her tour, This Is Me… Now, resulting in disappointing numbers and ultimately prompting J.Lo to rebrand the tour before canceling it altogether.
3. J.K. Rowling
J.K. Rowling has sparked several controversies this year, particularly concerning her transphobic remarks directed at boxer Imane Khelif, who recently won a gold medal at the 2024 Summer Olympics.
The renowned author of the Harry Potter series criticized the Olympics for permitting Khelif to compete in the women’s boxing category.
For starters, Khelif was disqualified from last year's Women’s World Championships after failing a gender eligibility test due to her high testosterone levels.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Rowling questioned, “Could any picture sum up our new men’s rights movement better?” alongside an image of Angela Carini, who withdrew from her match against Khelif after sustaining blows during the bout, while being comforted by Khelif.
Rowling described the situation as “the smirk of a male who knows he’s protected by a misogynist sporting establishment enjoying the distress of a woman he’s just punched in the head, and whose life’s ambition he’s just shattered.”
Her comments have faced backlash for perpetuating misinformation about Khelif's gender identity; Khelif was born female. This led to public outrage and even a lawsuit against Rowling for her statements.
2. Kanye “Ye” West
Kanye "Ye" West is no stranger to controversy; in fact, it's hard to recall a time when he wasn't making headlines.
From his anti-Semitic remarks to derogatory comments about various individuals, including fatphobic remarks directed at Lizzo, nearly everything he says becomes contentious.
This year, however, Ye found himself embroiled in a different kind of controversy after his former personal assistant, Lauren Pisciotta, accused him of sexual harassment and drug abuse, filing an 88-page lawsuit against him in October.
The lawsuit alleges that West used his Yeezy office as a “sexual playground” to assert power and control.
Additionally, Pisciotta accused West's wife, Bianca Censori, of acting as his “orgy coordinator” and participating in his explicit fantasies.
Given these serious allegations, it is undeniable that West's reputation has further deteriorated.
1. Sean “Diddy” Combs
Sean "Diddy" Combs’ name has been synonymous with controversy, and this year has been no exception.
He has been at the center of one of the most shocking scandals in the entertainment industry, which has significantly impacted his reputation.
The turmoil began when a video surfaced showing him assaulting his ex-girlfriend, Cassie Ventura. The footage depicted him grabbing, shoving, and kicking her before dragging her through a hotel hallway in Los Angeles.
Although he issued a public apology at that time, his situation took a turn for the worse when he was arrested in New York City in September on federal charges of racketeering conspiracy, sex trafficking by force, and transportation for prostitution.
Further allegations emerged, claiming that Diddy orchestrated a network that coerced victims into non-consensual sexual acts, often under the influence of drugs, while using threats and violence to maintain control.
In addition to these federal charges, numerous individuals have come forward with their own accusations against him. Notably, high-profile attorney Tony Buzbee announced that he would represent 120 alleged victims, both men and women, in their claims against Diddy.
Diddy's trial is expected to begin in 2025.