Biggest scandals of 2020: All the celebrity moments that made us gasp
Here, we present the year in review from the juiciest — and most alarming — entertainment moments that played out on the world stage.
As celeb scandal-filled years go, the hellscape that was 2020 certainly did not disappoint. From royal family dramas that gripped us all, to splits and spats that had social media abuzz.
Setting aside the obvious global catastrophes that defined the year that was, here, we present the year in review from the juiciest — and most alarming — entertainment moments that played out on the world stage:
Biggest Hollywood scandals of 2020
365 DAYS
Cast your minds back to June and the controversial Netflix movie 365 DNI that was so raunchy it made Fifty Shades Of Grey look PG.
The Polish erotic thriller featured scenes of BDSM, voyeurism and kinky sex scenes so graphic people thought the actors were actually having sex.
It prompted Grammy-winning singer Duffy, 35, who disclosed her own experience of being raped, drugged and kidnapped earlier this year, to plead for Netflix to drop the film from its library in an emotional open letter.
Sharing her concerns, Duffy wrote: “365 Days glamorizes the brutal reality of sex trafficking, kidnapping and rape. This should not be anyone’s idea of entertainment, nor should it be described as such, or be commercialised in this manner.
“I write these words (ones I cannot believe I am writing in 2020, with so much hope and progress gained in recent years), as an estimated 25 million people are currently trafficked around the world, not to mention the untold amounts of people uncounted.
“It grieves me that Netflix provides a platform for such ‘cinema’, that eroticises kidnapping and distorts sexual violence and trafficking as a ‘sexy’ movie.
“I just can’t imagine how Netflix could overlook how careless, insensitive and dangerous this is.”
Despite her powerful words, the streaming service wouldn’t budge, telling Reuters: “We believe strongly in giving our members around the world more choice and control over their Netflix viewing experience.
“Members can choose what they do and do not want to watch by setting maturity filters at a profile level and removing specific titles to protect from content they feel is too mature.”
SHIA LABEOUF LAWSUIT
In mid-December, it was revealed the 34-year-old actor was being sued by his ex-girlfriend, singer FKA Twigs, for sexual battery, assault and infliction of emotional distress.
In one alleged incident just after Valentine’s Day in 2019, Twigs, 32, claimed LaBeouf was driving recklessly, threatening to crash the car if she didn’t profess her love for him.
Twigs, real name Tahliah Debrett Barnett, said she begged to be let out of the car and LaBeouf pulled over at a gas station, followed her out of the car and assaulted her, throwing her against the car, according to the lawsuit.
The incident allegedly occurred after a trip during which LeBeouf also woke Twigs in the night and choked her.
She also alleged he knowingly gave her a sexually transmitted disease by “covering up symptoms with makeup”.
In the wake of the allegations, Australian singer Sia also came forward, claiming LaBeouf had “conned” her “into an adulterous relationship”.
Twigs and LeBeouf met on the set of his film Honey Boy in 2018.
LaBeouf responded to the accusations against him in an email to the New York Times, writing: “I’m not in any position to tell anyone how my behaviour made them feel. I have no excuses for my alcoholism or aggression, only rationalisations. I have been abusive to myself and everyone around me for years. I have a history of hurting the people closest to me. I’m ashamed of that history and am sorry to those I hurt. There is nothing else I can really say.”
MEGXIT
March 2021 is the date for the 12-month ‘Megxit review’ for Harry and Meghan, Duke and Duchess of Sussex, after the royal duo stepped back as senior royal this year, announcing the decision via Instagram on January 8.
The rest of the royal family reportedly received zero heads-up about the announcement, with BBC News royal correspondent Jonny Dymond tweeting shortly after, “BBC understands that no other member of the Royal Family was consulted before Harry and Meghan issued their personal statement tonight. The Palace is understood to be ‘disappointed’.”
Since then, the couple wound up their engagements in the UK and briefly moved to Canada, before settling in LA where they bought a $20 million mansion in the ritzy estate of Montecito, California.
It was here that Meghan suffered the devastating loss of her second child, sharing news of her July miscarriage in a moving essay penned for the New York Times entitled The Losses We Share, published in November.
Recently, Harry and Meghan have found themselves embroiled in drama after signing a $130 million deal with Netflix just before the start of season 4 of The Crown, in whichPrince Charles, Camilla Parker Bowles and the Queen were portrayed in a less than favourable light.
Meghan also has a new venture – personally investing in a Californian female-founded business that makes superfood lattes.
Meghan was the first high-profile celebrity to spruik the brand, as well as neighbour, billionaire Oprah Winfrey, who uploaded a video on Instagram of herself making the drink.
The couple have also signed a podcast deal with Spotify.
THE CROWN
Few royal-related television series’ have caused as much of a stir as season 4 of the popular Netflix show. (Aside from the buried Royal documentary of the 1960s that boasts the only known footage of the Queen using Tuppaware among other ‘normal person’ things).
After the long-awaited fourth season, which introduced viewers to Emma Corrin’s Princess Diana, aired in November, it seemed years of Palace PR was under threat of coming undone.
The seasonchronicles Prince Charles’ miserable marriage to Diana and his affair with Camilla Parker Bowles, who was also married at the time. Following the season’s release, Camilla and Charles were forced to turn off comments on their official Twitter account due to the immense viewer backlash against them.
The acclaimed dramatisation portrays Charles and Camilla as having conducted their affair during his entire marriage to Diana. According to an authorised biography of the Prince, however, he began his affair with Camilla in 1986, five years into his marriage.
That’s not the only criticism of the season.
Recently, the UK government’s culture secretary, Oliver Dowden, expressed concerns the fictional scenes written by The Crown’s creator Peter Morgan were doing damage to the monarchy because viewers believe they are true.
A friend of Prince Charles even referred to the portrayal of the royal family as “sinister” and “highly sophisticated propaganda”.
The widow of Major Hugh Lindsay, who died while skiing with Prince Charles in 1988, also criticised The Crown for its depiction of her husband’s death.
ELLEN’S ‘TOXIC WORKPLACE’ CLAIMS
Of course, it’s been a tumultuous year for Ellen DeGeneres, too, with the comedian still dealing with the fallout from numerous claims about her behind-the-scenes persona and an alleged toxic workplace culture on her show.
Recent reports show the workplace scandal that Ellen was embroiled in this year has taken a toll on the talk show host’s ratings.
Neilsen Media Research, the company that measures audience size, reported that for Ellen’s September 21 season 18 premiere, the show averaged a 1.2 Live+Same Day household ratings – a 29 per cent drop from her 2019 premiere.
This season is averaging about 1.7 million viewers, which is nearly a 38 per cent drop from last year.
In the season premiere, Ellen addressed the elephant in the room.
“As you may have heard, this summer there were allegations of a toxic work environment at our show and then there was an investigation. I learned that things happened here that never should have happened,” Ellen told viewers.
“I take that very seriously, and I want to say I am so sorry to the people who were affected. I know that I’m in a position of privilege and power, and I realise that with that comes responsibility, and I take responsibility for what happens at my show.”
She added: “Being known as the ‘be-kind lady’ is a tricky position to be in. The truth is I am that person you see on TV. I am also a lot of other things. Sometimes I get sad, I get mad, I get anxious, I get frustrated, I get impatient. And I am working on all of that.”
In December, the star hit pause on her show when she was diagnosed with coronavirus.
BRITNEY SPEARS’ COURT CASE
Spears’ battle to have her conservatorship removed coupled with her bizarre social media behaviour has been a headline mainstay this year in entertainment.
The arrangement the star is currently under means she is deemed technically not an adult, with her father Jamie Spears handling all legal and financial matters in her life. It is a legal decision usually reserved for the elderly, or those with physical or mental limitations.
In November, a court ruled the arrangement was to stay in place, leaving her father in control of her life. She had another hearing in December.
Britney, 38, whose situation has sparked the ongoing #FreeBritney fan movement, has refused to work again until her father’s grip over her is loosened, Us Weekly reports.
In November, the star took to Instagram to assure fans she is “fine” and “the happiest I’ve ever been in my life” amid the legal dispute.
“Hi, so I know that there have been a lot of comments and a lot of people saying a lot of different things about me. But I just want to let you guys know that I am fine,” she said in a video.
She continued, “I’m the happiest I’ve ever been in my life and I’m sending all of you guys a lot of prayers and wishes and a lot of love.”
The Womanizer singer has been the subject of several conspiracy theories during her conservatorship battle, you can read up on all things #FreeBritney here.
JOHNNY DEPP AND AMBER HEARD’S UGLY BATTLE
The Pirates Of The Caribbean actor, 57, lost his case against publisher of The Sun, News Group Newspapers (NGN), for libel in November over a 2018 article labelling him a “wife beater”.
Mr Justice Nicol concluded that 12 of the 14 alleged incidents of domestic violence referred to in the article did occur.
At the end of the often lurid defamation trial in London’s High Court, he said he believed the actor had abused Heard to such an extent that she frequently feared for her life.
Heard, 34, was The Sun’s star witness in the trial, which lay bare extraordinary revelations about the couple’s marriage.
They included an instance of faeces in a hotel bed – supposedly Heard’s, but the judge ruled it was her dog’s – and Depp smearing “I love you” on a mirror in blood.
In court, Depp accused Heard of making up her allegations, while acknowledging wide-ranging drug problems.
However, he insisted he is “not a violent person, especially with women,” a characterisation that was backed up in statements from former partners Winona Ryder and Vanessa Paradis.
Depp’s attempt to overturn the case failed when a High Court ruling was refused in November, with the judge ruling an appeal did not have a “reasonable prospect of success”.
Following the findings, Depp agreed to vacate his role in the Fantastic Beasts franchise, with actor Mads Mikkelsen stepping in.
CELEBRITIES DURING THE PANDEMIC
It would be remiss not to remind you all of the bizarre A-list responses to the pandemic – from celebrities revealing themselves as conspiracy theorists, to blatantly flouting lockdown restrictions and dotting our feeds with problematic content, they really gave us a reason to roll our eyes this year.
One particular moment that stands out is the celebrity-packed cover of John Lennon’s Imagine, led by Wonder Woman actress Gal Gadot, and widely panned online.
“We’re all in this together,” said the Wonder Woman star, 34, at the start of the viral video posted to her 36.8 million-fan Instagram page in March.
The three minute clip then cuts to a montage of Gadot, Mark Ruffalo, Will Ferrell and other Hollywood elites singing the lyrics of the late Beatle star’s opus, which envisions a world without strife.
“Imagine there’s no heaven,” crooned Gadot, prompting Saturday Night Live alum Kristen Wiig to follow with, “It’s easy if you try.”
But her musical morale boost rang hollow with the social media masses, who labelled the video “cringe” and “out of touch”.
“I’ve always hated this song,” scoffed one Twitter critic. “’Imagine no possessions,’ sung by some of the wealthiest people in the world.”
“Imagine all the people … Eating all the riiiich,” snarked another.
“BOO, donate if you really care abt the world,” wrote one Instagram commenter.
Another mocked: “Honey, look at all the rich people singing Imagine. Everything will be all right now, even though we both lost our jobs. This was so much better than money and not cringy at all.”
KIM KARDASHIAN’S 40TH
On the topic of A-list Covid blunders, Kim Kardashian wasn’t safe from the ire of fans when she flew her nearest and dearest to a private island for a lavish birthday celebration.
The reality TV queen was dubbed “tone deaf” after flying her inner circle, including her famous family members, to an undisclosed island on a jet so they could celebrate Kim’s milestone away from coronavirus restrictions.
The five-day trip reportedly cost the beauty mogul upwards of $US1 million.
A source told the New York Post: “The group was limited to Kim’s closest family and friends. Everyone on the trip was repeatedly tested for COVID before they left in the middle of the night on a private Boeing 777.
“Once on the island they had lavish dinner after dinner, spa treatments and hikes through the nature sanctuary. There was no expense spared. Everyone was banned from posting on social media by Kim to ensure her privacy.”
Kim also revealed she asked her guests to undergo quarantine before they all congregated for the luxurious holiday.
“After 2 weeks of multiple health screens and asking everyone to quarantine, I surprised my closest inner circle with a trip to a private island where we could pretend things were normal just for a brief moment in time,” she said on Instagram.
“I realize (sic) that for most people, this is something that is so far out of reach right now, so in moments like these, I am humbly reminded of how privileged my life is.”
But followers weren’t impressed.
“Did the pandemic go away?! Omg wish someone would’ve told me we could have massive parties,” one woman wrote on Instagram.
“Thinking about the masked server in the background of this 2nd photo, who is likely among many who risked their lives so that Kim Kardashian could have a birthday party,” Priya Krishna, a New York Times food writer, said on Twitter.
thinking about the masked server in the background of this 2nd photo, who is likely among many who risked their lives so that kim kardashian could have a birthday party... https://t.co/d8cHbPuOpl
— Priya Krishna (@priyakrishna) October 27, 2020
“The tone deafness of celebrities and influencers has been amplified during this pandemic,” K Matt wrote on Twitter. “Whatever possessed Kim Kardashian to make an entire thread about her lavish birthday trip that with or without a pandemic 99.9% of people can’t afford is beyond me.”
Responding to the drama, Kim’s sister Khloe told Ellen DeGeneres: “I did hear people were upset that we went out of town.
“This year is a frustrating year — I get it. I think there are so many frustrations going on for everybody, but also it’s her 40th and this is something that she really wanted to do. For us, it was such a nice thing.”
Australia’s year in celebrity scandal
The memorable moments of the year weren’t exclusive to international stars. Back home, we had plenty to keep us gasping in shock.
BACHELOR BREAKUPS
2020 was the year reality TV love died.
Bachelorette couple Elly Miles and Frazer Neate confirmed their split in December.
Taking to Instagram, Elly shared that the couple had grown “apart” since filming the show.
“Frazer and I are no longer together, we broke up over the weekend,” she said in a video to fans on December 7.
“It was really really hard having the distance and the secrecy and I guess everything that comes along with having a new relationship in the media,” she said.
“I wasn’t happy for a little while there and I know from my end, I gave it absolutely everything I had.”
Her sister Bachelorette Becky Miles didn’t have luck finding love either, revealing she and her chosen suitor Pete Mann split just three days after filming ended — over FaceTime, no less.
Speaking to news.com.au, Becky said Pete “said all the right things” when they spent time together after filming wrapped, but when he returned to Adelaide, he told her he “didn’t feel a spark”.
Last year’s Bachelor and Bachelorette couples Matt Agnew and Chelsie McLeod and Angie Kent and Carlin Sterritt also split this year.
Yikes.
But through the darkness – OG Bach couple Tim Robards and Anna Heinrich brought some light – welcoming their first child together in November, daughter Elle.
ROXY/CANDICE WARNER FEUD
Staying in reality TV land, no juicier Aussie feud emerged than the clash of PR queen Roxy Jacenko and former friend and client Candace Warner – born out of a faux punch-up gone awry on this year’s premiere of SAS Australia.
The PR queen, 40, told the Daily Mail she could never be friends with Warner, 35, after their physical fight on the show — in which Roxy claims Candice was far too rough — tore their friendship apart in the first episode.
“Someone who carries on punching you when your back is turned, and then sacks you some two weeks later as management after four years of hard work and support would need to be delusional to think I would want to be friends,” exclaimed Roxy.
“She might be hard up for friends and accept people doing that to her, but that’s not a friend I’m interested in keeping,” she added.
Warner said she was “disappointed” by their feud, claiming she was ready to mend things with Jacenko on the Kyle and Jackie O Show.
“Now that time has passed … it was never an intention, and I’d never want to lose a friend over something like this. I’m sorry she feels like this,” she said.
When asked by Kyle Sandilands if she wanted to make up, she said: “Of course I do. From my end there’s no dramas whatsoever.
“It was more a business friendship … She’s a good person, she’s got a family.”
Days later, however, Warner, who is married to cricketer David Warner, told Nova FM’s Fitzy & Wippa, that Jacenko’s behaviour was “typical” and she’s “not losing any sleep” over it.
“(I was prepared to sit down with Roxy and chat) but it’s typical and I’ll just leave it at that,” Warner said.
It is understood the two have not spoken since appearing on the show together.
REBECCA JUDD, AKA THE NEW ‘KAREN FROM BRIGHTON’
In the latest Judd news, the glamorous mum-of-four was met with backlash when she announced she was leaving Melbourne for a few months.
Revealing she was fleeing to Byron Bay to taste “freedom” in the hippy beach town, joining the likes of Zac Efron, Nicole Kidman and Melissa McCarthy, the former radio host copped criticism for “whinging her mansion isn’t enough”.
Harsh, but certainly not her first pile-on this year.
The brutal blowback against Bec Judd began when the coronavirus pandemic first hit in March and Bec was vocal about her support of lockdown measures, urging followers to download the COVID Safe app and wear a mask.
She even called for parts of the city with virus clusters to be locked down in the early days of the state’s second wave.
But when harsh lockdown rules were later imposed, her support dwindled, and she took to social media to weigh in on the situation, slamming “Dictator Dan” for the ongoing stage 4 restrictions.
She later wore a T-shirt emblazoned with “Free Melbourne” on it and copped a wave of criticism, with many branding her behaviour as “tone deaf” considering she was holed up in a massive house while others were enduring lesser living conditions.
In December, she announced she won’t be returning to the 3pm Pick-up with Monty Dimond and Yumi Stynes in 2021.
Judd explained that she was stepping back to spend more time at home with her husband and four children: Oscar, eight, Billie, six, and twins Tom and Darcy, three.
“I’ve got such a young family, my twins start school not next year but the year after so I’ve got one year left at home with them and we just want to really make the most of those golden years … they’re slipping away, those golden years” she said.
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