Plenty of celebs have been called out for being rude over the years. Some respond with acknowledgments and apologies, while others double down to defend themselves.
Here are 15 times celebs actually responded after they were publicly called out for being rude:
1.
In a 2024 TikTok video from a “Yours Cruelly, Elvira Xxperience” event, Elvira said that her “shadiest” celebrity encounter was with Ariana Grande during a performance. She said, “She comes backstage and she asks if I could take pictures with all of her friends and relatives she brought. I take a picture with every single one of them. I sign autographs for every single one of them. Then I say to her, ‘Can we take a photo together?’ She goes, ‘Nah, I don’t really do that.'”
In Elvira’s Instagram comments, Ariana posted an apology.
2.
In a 2024 YouTube video reflecting on her 2012 interview for Les Misérables, journalist Kjersti Flaa criticized Anne Hathaway’s response to her idea to have the actors sing their answers back to her.
In a follow-up YouTube video, Kjersti said, “Yesterday, I did receive an email. It was from Anne Hathaway’s publicist, and he forwarded a message to me from Anne Hathaway. I have to say, I was pretty shocked. I had not expected her to reach out to me at all. … She sent me a long email explaining to me what she was going through right then when she did this interview, and she apologized for giving me an awful interview, basically.”
After the clip resurfaced in 2024, Emily issued a public apology. She told People, “I just need to address this head-on as my jaw was on the floor watching this clip from 12 years ago. I’m appalled that I would say something so insensitive, hurtful, and unrelated to whatever story I was trying to tell on a talk show.”
4.
In 2020, TikToker Julia Carolan posted a TikTok titled, “Rating celebrities I met while working as a hostess in a fancy Manhattan restaurant.” In the viral video, she said, “This is gonna be controversial. I’ve met [Hailey Bieber] a handful of times and she was not nice. I really want to like her but I give her, like, a 3.5 out of 10. Sorry.”
In the comments, Hailey apologized profusely.
5.
In 2021, a Twitter user alleged that they’d delivered food to Andrew Garfield, who was “rude asf.” The post fueled speculation that the actor was going to appear in Spider-Man: No Way Home.
Appearing on the podcast Happy Sad Confused in 2022, Andrew confirmed the driver’s story was true. He said, “I think he called me rude, which I definitely wasn’t. I did ask to do social distancing, but I obviously upset the man. I didn’t mean to, and I apologize for anything that may have been misconstrued as being rude — I don’t like upsetting people.”
6.
In a viral video from early 2023, Bad Bunny smiled at a fan who approached him with her cellphone camera, but then he grabbed her phone and threw it. The clip sparked social media discourse about whether his behavior was rude or justifiable.
In response to backlash, he tweeted [translated from Spanish to English via the LA Times], “The person who comes up to me to greet me, tell me something or just meet me will always receive my attention and respect. Those who come to put a damn phone in my face, I will consider it for what it is, a lack of respect and treat it as such.”
7.
In a 2022 TikTok video, JoJo Siwa flashed a picture of the the “rudest celebrity” she’s ever met — Candace Cameron Bure.
In an Instagram video, Candace said she was “shocked” to see JoJo’s TikTok.
8.
During an onstage interview at the 2012 Montclair Film Festival, Jon Stewart said that Hugh Grant was his worst The Daily Show guest because of his constant complaining. He said, “He’s giving everyone shit the whole time, and he’s a big pain in the ass.”
In response, Hugh tweeted, “Turns out my inner crab got the better of me with TV producer in 09. Unforgivable. J Stewart correct to give me kicking.”
9.
In a since-deleted 2024 tweet, Zach Bryan said, “eagles > chiefs [and] Kanye > Taylor… Who’s with me.”
Following backlash from Taylor Swift’s fans, he tweeted, “Guys I love Taylor. was listening to TTPD [The Tortured Poets Department] last night and thank you aimee came on and I drunkenly tweeted that about Kanye. If anyone took it serious please know I love both artiss a lot and think we’re in a really beautiful time of music.”
10.
When Jack Whitehall guest hosted The Graham Norton Show in 2019, a returning audience member called him out for being rude to her the last time both of them appeared on the show. Even though he’d already apologized, Jack — completely mortified — apologized again.
11.
In a 2022 Instagram post, restauranteur Keith McNally, the owner of Balthazar in NYC, said, “James Corden is a Hugely gifted comedian, but a tiny Cretin of a man. And the most abusive customer to my Balthazar servers since the restaurant opened 25 years ago.”
In a follow-up Instagram post, Keith said James called to “apologize profusely,” so he lifted his ban. However, the comedian told the New York Times, “I haven’t done anything wrong, on any level. So why would I ever cancel this [interview]? I was there. I get it. I feel so Zen about the whole thing. Because I think it’s so silly. I just think it’s beneath all of us. It’s beneath you. It’s certainly beneath your publication.”
12.
At the 2022 People’s Choice Awards, Kathy Hilton — who was onstage with the The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills cast to present the Drama TV Star of 2022 award — put on lipstick and sighed during Mariska Hargitay’s acceptance speech. Kathy’s behavior was criticized by social media users.
In response, Kathy told Extra, “I feel terrible. I would never do anything to be rude intentionally, and I’m really sorry.”
13.
In 2023, TikToker Rye Myers shared a video of the “rudest celebrity [he] ever interviewed” — Tony Danza. At the opening night of New York, New York on Broadway, Rye asked an appropriately NYC-themed question: “What’s your favorite New York City staple food item? Is it a pizza or hot dog?” Patting his face, Tony replied, “You know what you gotta do, buddy? You gotta come up with better questions.”
In a follow-up TikTok, Rye said, “[Tony] called me to apologize and squash the beef. It was great to hear from him and certainly much appreciated.”
14.
In a 2014 Facebook Q&A, a fan asked Katherine Heigl about rumors she was “very rude.”
Katherine replied that she doesn’t think she’s rude, but she does stand up for herself and set boundaries.
15.
And finally, in 2019, during a Q&A before his Tampa show, a fan asked Shawn Mendes about the inspiration behind “Señorita.” In lieu of an answer, he said, “I love you guys, have a great time!” then left the stage. As the clip circulated, other fans expressed their disappointment and criticized his behavior as rude.
In a since-deleted tweet, Shawn said, “Hey! There was no bad intention here. If you were there, you would have known it was the last question & that’s why I decided to turn it into a lighthearted funny goodbye! Sorry if that upset anyone, I adore you guys! No need for any negativity.”
Can you think of a time a celebrity got called out, apologized, then actually made a change? Let us know in the comments!
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