White Celebs Caught Using the N-Word on Live Mic

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Several white celebrities have faced quick repercussions after recordings captured them using the n-word. These recordings, from live performances, broadcasts, and public appearances, immediately drew public criticism and professional consequences. Typically, apologies, explanations, and responses from organizations followed shortly after. Below are some prominent examples, detailing the incidents and their aftermath.

Michael Richards

In November 2006, a video surfaced of Michael Richards using a racial slur repeatedly during a stand-up comedy set at the Laugh Factory in Hollywood. The video quickly went viral and sparked widespread outrage. The following day, Richards apologized on a late-night talk show. Following the incident, comedy clubs began enforcing stricter rules against hateful language, and Richards stopped performing in public for a time, as colleagues and venues distanced themselves from him.

Bill Maher

During a June 2017 episode of his HBO show, Bill Maher used a racial slur while interviewing a US senator. The moment aired without edits. HBO called the language unacceptable and removed the segment from future broadcasts. The following week, Maher apologized on air and invited guests to discuss the harmful impact of the word. Despite this, many people continued to demand further accountability, and the show faced increased criticism.

Joe Rogan

So, early in 2022, a bunch of old clips from Joe Rogan’s podcast started circulating online, and they included him saying a racial slur – the n-word – multiple times over the years. He quickly followed up with an apology video, admitting it was wrong and that he felt bad about it. Spotify, facing a lot of heat from artists and listeners, ended up pulling down dozens of older episodes. Thankfully, the podcast itself stayed up, but Spotify did add warnings to future content, which felt like a decent compromise at the time.

Riley Cooper

In July 2013, a video surfaced showing Philadelphia Eagles player Riley Cooper using a racial slur at a concert. The video quickly became public, leading to responses from both the team and the NFL. Cooper was fined and briefly stepped away from the team to attend counseling. While he eventually returned to play, his teammates and coaches closely monitored the situation and addressed it privately.

Hulk Hogan

As a long-time fan, it was really shocking when recordings surfaced in 2015 of Hulk Hogan using a racial slur in a private conversation from years before. WWE immediately cut ties with him and took down anything related to him on their website. He did apologize publicly, but the fallout was huge, leading to legal issues and a real hit to his reputation. While he’s had some limited opportunities with the company since then, it’s still something that follows him and is a major part of how people remember his career.

Duane Dog Chapman

In November 2007, a recording surfaced of Duane “Dog” Chapman using a racial slur during a phone conversation. As a result, his reality TV show was temporarily removed from the air while the network considered how to respond. Chapman issued an apology and reached out to civil rights leaders. The show eventually returned, but the incident continued to affect the program and his public image in later seasons and interviews.

PewDiePie

In 2017, during a live video game stream, PewDiePie used a racial slur while playing, which quickly spread online and caused widespread criticism. He apologized in a video, admitting the language was harmful and unacceptable. As a result, one independent game developer asked him to stop showcasing their games, and some companies reviewed their sponsorships with him.

Morgan Wallen

In early 2021, a security camera recorded Morgan Wallen using a racial slur while returning home late at night. The recording was quickly made public, and his record label suspended him. Radio stations briefly stopped playing his music, and streaming services released statements addressing the situation. Wallen responded with a video apology and said he made donations to organizations suggested by community leaders.

Justin Bieber

A video from Justin Bieber’s teenage years recently resurfaced, showing him using a racial slur while jokingly singing along to one of his older songs. The video quickly spread online and through the media. Bieber publicly apologized and explained he had been learning about the harmful history of the word through therapy and discussions. As he continued his career, he faced increased public attention and received guidance from colleagues and mentors regarding the situation.

John Schnatter

In 2018, John Schnatter used a racial slur during a conference call that was part of a training session with an external company. The recording and a written transcript of the call became public, leading to immediate action from the company. He stepped down as chairman, and the company stopped using his image in advertisements while also reviewing its internal policies. Schnatter issued an apology and later took legal action regarding the consequences, all as the company underwent leadership changes.

Louis C.K.

Recordings surfaced of Louis C.K. using a racial slur during his stand-up comedy routines, specifically while talking about offensive language. These clips, from both club performances and TV appearances, quickly spread online and sparked widespread criticism. As a result, networks and venues reconsidered whether to work with him, and the issue continued to be discussed. C.K. later addressed the controversy in his comedy, but different platforms handled the situation in different ways, with some adding content warnings or changing their programming.

Paula Deen

In 2013, court records and news reports showed that Paula Deen had previously used a racial slur. A deposition included statements about these instances, and subsequent interviews were recorded, with detailed questioning following the revelations. As a result, several major retailers and the network airing her show cut ties with her. Deen apologized and then began pursuing new career opportunities outside of television.

Paris Hilton

Recently, old video clips from the early 2000s showing Paris Hilton using offensive racial slurs, including the n-word, have reappeared online. The footage, originally recorded at parties with handheld cameras, quickly spread. News reports described the incidents and explained the situations in which the language was used. In subsequent interviews, Hilton spoke about her past actions while also highlighting her current work and charitable efforts.

Share your thoughts on how these incidents were handled in the comments.

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2025-11-17 15:15