20 Actresses Who Went From Loved to Hated

Public opinion is known to change swiftly. A breakthrough role or successful franchise can catapult someone into common household recognition. However, one project or a series of controversies can just as quickly divert focus. These shifts often stem from public comments, casting decisions, legal matters, or online backlash that hasten the change in fortunes.

This list includes twenty actresses who experienced significant changes in their careers or public images due to various events. These transformative moments range from professional setbacks like terminations, legal disputes, casting debacles, box office performance fluctuations, and industry responses that significantly impacted their public profiles. The emphasis is on verifiable instances that offer a clear picture of how these events influenced their standing in the entertainment industry.

Anne Hathaway

Following the success of movies like ‘The Princess Diaries’ and recognition for ‘Les Misérables’, her popularity significantly increased, earning her frequent appearances on red carpets and talk shows during awards season. This period of heightened exposure led to an escalation in online discussions about her omnipresence and public image, which unfortunately sparked a wave of negative attention. It’s important to note that this shift wasn’t triggered by a specific event but rather a prolonged period of visibility that eventually provoked a backlash.

After those years, she consistently landed significant roles such as ‘Interstellar’ and re-entered prominent comedies and dramas. Her industry standing stayed robust with numerous nominations and awards, though her social media popularity had its ups and downs. However, what mattered most was that her employment remained consistent, demonstrating that studios continued to seek her services despite the occasional online criticism.

Gwyneth Paltrow

From the Oscar-winning performance in ‘Shakespeare in Love’ to venturing into the realm of wellness with Goop, I’ve seen it all. This brand has been a subject of debate among medical professionals due to certain health claims and questionable products. Regulators have given it a thorough inspection, especially concerning specific products and marketing tactics. The narrative surrounding celebrity wellness has played a more significant role in covering her business than her acting career, making for an intriguing study of fame’s influence on industry trends.

2023 saw me standing trial for a civil lawsuit stemming from a skiing accident. Thankfully, the jury ruled in my favor, determining I wasn’t at fault. However, this legal victory didn’t seem to shake the ongoing discourse about my brand, with headlines focusing more on lifestyle allegations rather than my film projects. My acting opportunities remained sporadic, while the narrative around my public persona was largely shaped by my company.

Brie Larson

As a passionate advocate, I proudly stepped into the role for “Captain Marvel” following the applause received for my work in “Room”. However, prior to its release, there was an intense online backlash and organized efforts by certain audiences on rating sites. Despite this, the film managed to open globally to become one of the top-grossing titles of that year. This success showcased a significant market interest, yet the commentary remained polarized.

In ‘The Marvels’, she made a comeback, but the movie’s earnings of approximately two hundred million globally represented a dip in the franchise’s box office success. Her interviews and promotional statements, coupled with widespread franchise exhaustion, sparked a cycle of conversation on social media and audience response that significantly influenced how some viewers perceived her roles.

Amber Heard

During the 2022 defamation trial involving Johnny Depp, public opinion shifted significantly. The jury found in favor of Depp regarding three statements, granting him damages, while also siding with Amber Heard on one counterclaim and awarding her damages as well. The trial’s broadcast escalated the impact of each update across various media platforms and news outlets.

After the events occurred, some projects faced delays or revisions, and decisions regarding distribution were often a gauge of perceived risk. The dispute ended with a financial settlement at a later date, and her involvement in franchise work attracted increased attention. The combined legal records and studio responses ultimately led to a significant change in public opinion over time.

Katherine Heigl

As a die-hard movie enthusiast, I can’t help but reminisce about my meteoric rise to fame with the hit shows ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ and ‘Knocked Up’. However, things took an unexpected turn when I made waves by opting out of Emmy nominations in 2008, explaining that the material I was given that season didn’t quite resonate with me. Add to that some comments about my creative partners and rumors of on-set friction, and the media couldn’t get enough of dissecting my complicated reputation for years after.

She left ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ in 2010 and transitioned to other series and films, with varying degrees of success. Her previous remarks were frequently brought up when discussing her new ventures, keeping the discourse alive. Lately, she has been more active on television, with a consistent flow of projects. The earlier phase of her career is often cited as an example of reputation volatility.

Kristen Stewart

During the ‘Twilight’ epoch, she rose to become one of the globally recognized celebrities. However, photographs from 2012 revealing an affair with director Rupert Sanders triggered extensive media coverage and public apologies. This incident significantly impacted a prominent relationship and remained a hot topic in tabloids for several months.

Following some setbacks, she shifted focus towards independent films, garnered a groundbreaking César Award in France, and eventually regained significant acclaim with ‘Spencer’, earning an Oscar nomination. Her career path demonstrates an initial period of adversity, followed by a calculated comeback through critically-acclaimed projects that reshaped the way her work was perceived and discussed within the industry.

Megan Fox

Through the Transformers series, she gained international fame. However, disagreements with the film’s director in 2009 and 2010 were made public, leading to her absence from the subsequent installment. This departure shifted the trajectory of her meteoric rise. The media primarily focused on comments from interviews and reactions from the production during this split.

Later on, she managed to regain her footing in the industry with ‘Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles’ and consistent roles within the genre. Over time, discussions about set behavior and power dynamics reshaped aspects of her earlier departure, providing fresh context years after the initial controversy. As this reevaluation spread, her workload and public profile grew once more.

Scarlett Johansson

2017’s casting in ‘Ghost in the Shell’ ignited a significant conversation regarding whitewashing and representation. In 2018, she was linked to ‘Rub and Tug’, a film about a transgender man, but withdrew following criticism, fueling further discussions on her casting decisions.

As a passionate cinephile, I can’t help but admire the resilience of this cinematic powerhouse, even amidst the whirlwind of debate that often surrounded her. Regardless, she managed to maintain a robust schedule of releases, with standout films like ‘Marriage Story’ and ‘Jojo Rabbit’, both earning Academy Award nominations in the same year – a truly impressive feat!

The public dialogues about her interviews and creative decisions never seemed to die down, but the indisputable evidence of her continued success can be seen in her awards recognition and box office results. Clearly, the studios and filmmakers continue to find her work irresistible.

Gina Carano

On ‘The Mandalorian’, her performance garnered widespread adoration among fans. However, social media posts in early 2021 resulted in Lucasfilm announcing she was no longer associated with the series. Simultaneously, her talent agency also ended their professional relationship with her, which promptly affected her chances of securing mainstream projects.

She transitioned to working on self-directed ventures supported by non-traditional media outlets, while also maintaining public appearances discussing topics that led to her departure. This move from a prominent company to specialized distribution signified a definite change in career trajectory, primarily influenced by corporate actions taken due to both external online criticism and internal dissent.

Evangeline Lilly

As a movie enthusiast, I found myself in the midst of a whirlwind of controversy back in March 2020. During those unsettling times when the world was grappling with a global pandemic, I shared messages that seemed to minimize the importance of safety measures. The backlash was swift and strong, especially considering that my castmates and studios were ardently advocating for stringent protocols.

However, I learned from my mistakes and offered a sincere apology. Fast forward to early 2022, I found myself supporting protests against mandates – a decision that once again stirred up heated discussions within the industry. It’s been a rollercoaster ride, but I’m learning to navigate through the complexities of expressing my opinions while remaining sensitive to the concerns of others.

In the ‘Ant-Man’ series, her work carried on, yet frequently during press tours, there were questions about her remarks. This pattern shows how behind-the-scenes perspectives can overshadow project publicity, particularly when it comes to public health policies, and how a franchise can move forward amidst controversy surrounding the related headlines.

Lea Michele

Her appearance on ‘Glee’ propelled her into stardom within mainstream circles. However, in 2020, some of her former costars disclosed unfavorable experiences they had working with her. Following this, she issued a public apology, and within just a few days, at least one sponsorship deal was terminated. This incident underscores the swift response brand partners often have when on-set behavior becomes a popular topic of discussion.

In the year 2022, she made her debut in ‘Funny Girl’ on Broadway and garnered significant commercial success, causing the production to be extended due to the popularity of her performance. Despite this impressive achievement, media coverage about the show frequently returned to earlier allegations, demonstrating that certain reputation-based narratives can endure even in light of new accomplishments.

Gal Gadot

In the early stages of the pandemic, she coordinated the ‘Imagine’ video with other famous personalities. This initiative received largely negative reviews, with critics focusing on its tone-deaf approach during a worldwide crisis. Subsequent comments regarding the Israel and Gaza conflict further sparked intense reactions, causing her social media posts to be under close observation.

Her acting career progressed by taking on action films and streaming releases. The success at the box office and through streaming platforms was inconsistent, and promotional periods frequently needed to handle past online scandals. This pattern demonstrates how decisions made on social media can repeatedly shape the narrative beyond a single production.

Bella Thorne

In the year 2020, she signed up for OnlyFans and apparently broke the daily revenue record on the same day. This action happened around the time when the platform adjusted its policies, and several content creators claimed these adjustments negatively impacted their income. Consequently, they expressed their annoyance towards her.

She provided explanations and expressed regret for her actions, while still pursuing roles in indie movies and music. This incident is often brought up when discussing the creator economy, as it highlights how influential celebrities can impact payment structures and decisions affecting smaller creators.

In this paraphrase, I’ve kept the original meaning intact but made the sentences more conversational and easier to read, using terms like “provided explanations” instead of “issued clarifications,” and “expressed regret for her actions” rather than “apologized about her intentions.” The final sentence has also been rephrased to make it more engaging, encouraging readers to consider the impact of celebrities on the creator economy.

Letitia Wright

Towards the end of 2020, she shared a video expressing doubts about vaccines, later removing it stating that she had only raised questions instead of making definitive statements. The following year brought rumors of debates on set regarding vaccination, which she refuted, but the topic continued to be discussed during the production of ‘Black Panther: Wakanda Forever’.

In 2022, the sequel launched to impressive global earnings, with her taking the lead role following the unfortunate demise of Chadwick Boseman. The media coverage combined box office reviews with renewed focus on her previous online content, demonstrating how a social media incident can persist throughout an actor’s promotional phases.

Roseanne Barr

In 2018, the revival of ‘Roseanne’ debuted to impressive viewership numbers, but following a controversial racist tweet by Roseanne, ABC decided to cancel the show. Rapidly, they shifted gears and continued with ‘The Conners’ without her involvement – an uncommon scenario where a highly-rated series replaces its lead actor due to behavioral issues.

After dabbling in stand-up comedy and interviews, her association with mainstream network jobs didn’t continue. Her situation frequently serves as an example in debates about corporate patience levels and the speed at which media outlets react when a celebrity’s social media activities pose advertising risks.

Constance Wu

In 2019, she expressed disappointment on social media regarding the renewal of “Fresh Off the Boat”, a surprise for fans who enthusiastically celebrated this achievement. However, her tweets were later deleted. She revealed that personal issues had made it challenging for her to handle the news at the time, but by then, the initial reaction had already gained significant traction online.

Later on, she spoke about mental health matters and resumed work by taking up fresh assignments, all the while marketing her memoir set to be released in 2022. That incident continues to serve as an example of how swiftly opinions can shift on social media, particularly when a statement contradicts what viewers had hoped for from their beloved TV series.

Lindsay Lohan

In the mid-2000s, she was a highly renowned young actress, known for movies such as ‘Mean Girls’ and ‘Freaky Friday’. However, from 2007 to 2013, she encountered several legal problems and spells in rehab, which raised concerns about her trustworthiness and insurance risks among film producers. As a result, the number of significant studio offers diminished.

Since then, she’s been working globally and returned to the screen in a holiday film, “Falling for Christmas,” which debuted on streaming platforms in 2022. This storyline demonstrates how legal and insurance aspects can influence casting possibilities and how focused projects can gradually re-establish a connection with viewers.

Winona Ryder

Her initial years were marked by numerous critically-acclaimed shows and box office successes. However, in 2001, she was apprehended for shoplifting, eventually leading to her conviction. This incident resulted in a hiatus from prominent roles, as media attention centered around the court case.

Several years after, she once again rose to fame due to the popular series ‘Stranger Things’. This show served as a reintroduction for her to a younger demographic. The lengthy absence between projects demonstrates that a legal case can momentarily disrupt studio casting decisions. However, it does not necessarily mean the end of a career, especially if a subsequent project resonates with a broad audience.

Jada Pinkett Smith

In various platforms such as movies, TV shows, and ‘Red Table Talk’, she consistently achieved success. Following the 2022 Oscars ceremony, an on-stage altercation between Will Smith and Chris Rock placed her at the center of discussions. This incident sparked a massive online conversation about accountability and appropriate reactions.

In 2023, I was captivated by her memoir that courageously laid bare years of intimate details about her life. This revelation sparked a flurry of discussions and analyses, with her appearances on live television and subsequent disclosures keeping her at the heart of cultural debates. Her story significantly altered the tenor of public discourse surrounding her.

Asia Argento

In the early days of the MeToo movement, she played a significant role as a prominent figure in media reporting. In 2018, a news article emerged containing allegations by actor Jimmy Bennett about an incident from years prior, when he was still a minor, and also mentioned a monetary settlement. She maintained her innocence but admitted to the financial agreement, which led to a decrease in her television work in Italy around that time.

Consequentially, she faced legal declarations and shifts in her professional responsibilities, such as stepping down from judging duties for the remaining episodes that season. This shift in public opinion was primarily fueled by the contrast between her previous advocacy work and the subsequent accusation, which kept discussions centered around legal and ethical debates instead of new creative endeavors.

Invite reflections on the swiftness of public opinion shifts, and kindly request suggestions for topics to explore further in the comment section next.

2025-08-22 01:31