Celebs Who Faced Backlash for Defending “Cancelled” Friends

It’s tricky for celebrities when friends or coworkers are publicly criticized for something they’ve done. Some celebrities choose to stay quiet to protect their own image, while others publicly defend those facing backlash. This often leads to discussions about whether people should be held responsible for their actions and if we can separate an artist’s work from their personal behavior. Here are some examples of people who received criticism after supporting individuals who had been publicly ‘cancelled’.

Ashton Kutcher

Ashton Kutcher received strong public backlash for writing a letter of support for Danny Masterson, his former co-star who was convicted of rape. In the letter, Kutcher praised Masterson as a positive role model and asked the judge to be lenient during sentencing. This sparked outrage from fans and survivors of sexual assault, who were upset that he would support a convicted criminal. Kutcher later apologized in a video, explaining the letter was meant to be private communication with the judge.

Mila Kunis

Mila Kunis wrote a letter supporting her friend Danny Masterson before he was sentenced, describing him as a positive influence and like an older brother who helped her avoid drugs. This caused a strong and negative public response, considering Masterson’s serious convictions. Kunis and her husband, Ashton Kutcher, later released a video apologizing for the hurt their letter caused to the victims. As a result, Kunis’s public image suffered a noticeable decline.

Lindsay Lohan

Lindsay Lohan publicly defended Harvey Weinstein online as accusations of sexual misconduct against him increased. In a video, she expressed sympathy for him and questioned the fairness of the situation, stating he had never mistreated her professionally. Her comments were met with widespread criticism for downplaying the experiences of many other women who had accused Weinstein of abuse. Lohan later removed the posts following significant backlash from her followers and colleagues.

Scarlett Johansson

Scarlett Johansson has consistently spoken out in support of director Woody Allen, despite accusations of sexual abuse against him. She has said she believes Allen and would collaborate with him again. This strong support has been met with backlash from advocacy groups and fans who support Allen’s accusers. Johansson has explained that her personal conversations with Allen led her to believe his claims of innocence, a position that has put her at odds with many involved in the #MeToo movement.

Alec Baldwin

Alec Baldwin has consistently supported Woody Allen, often speaking out against those who criticize him. He’s described the public reaction to the allegations as a kind of ‘mob mentality’ and believes Allen’s work shouldn’t be dismissed. Baldwin has clashed with people online who questioned his loyalty, repeatedly pointing out that Allen has never been found guilty of any crime. This stance has made Baldwin a controversial figure when the topic of the abuse allegations comes up.

Diane Keaton

When many in Hollywood were distancing themselves from Woody Allen, Diane Keaton publicly voiced her support for him on social media. She tweeted her belief in his innocence and shared a 1992 interview where he addressed the allegations. This caused disappointment among some fans who felt it discredited his accusers. Keaton, who starred in several of Allen’s most well-known films like ‘Annie Hall,’ continues to be one of the few prominent actresses who remains a close public friend to him.

Ralph Fiennes

Ralph Fiennes spoke out in support of J.K. Rowling after she faced criticism for her views on transgender people. He called the harsh online abuse she received “disgusting” and said people can disagree with her without resorting to threats or hateful language. Fiennes’s comments led to discussion about where to draw the line between legitimate criticism and unacceptable harassment. However, many fans felt he didn’t adequately address the pain caused by Rowling’s statements.

Helena Bonham Carter

In a recent interview, Helena Bonham Carter strongly criticized those attacking J.K. Rowling, calling the criticism unfair. She felt Rowling was being unfairly targeted and that people were forgetting the past. Carter also supported her colleague Johnny Depp, saying he was proven right after winning his defamation case. However, her comments were met with backlash, as many felt she downplayed the serious issues involved in both situations. She suggested that the current trend of ‘canceling’ people had become an overreaction, similar to a witch hunt.

Brian Cox

Brian Cox voiced support for J.K. Rowling and criticized actors who publicly separated themselves from her, arguing she deserves to have her own views, even if they are controversial. He also defended director Bryan Singer, calling him a talented artist despite concerns about his behavior. These comments upset some fans, who felt Cox was prioritizing artistic skill over taking responsibility for harmful actions. Cox believes that an artist’s work should be judged separately from their personal conduct.

Kelly Rowland

When Kelly Rowland accepted an award for Chris Brown, the audience responded with a mix of boos, triggered by Brown’s name being announced at the American Music Awards. Rowland asked the crowd to be respectful of his work as a musician. She later reaffirmed her support, saying everyone deserves a second chance. However, some critics felt her comments downplayed Brown’s past instances of domestic violence.

Justin Bieber

Justin Bieber faced criticism after publicly comparing Chris Brown to musical icons Michael Jackson and Tupac Shakur. He shared a post on Instagram encouraging people to move past Brown’s history, arguing that one mistake shouldn’t define his career. This sparked a negative reaction from many followers, who felt it was disrespectful to those affected by Brown’s abusive behavior. Critics accused Bieber of minimizing violence and unfairly celebrating Brown despite his past actions.

Robert Downey Jr.

Robert Downey Jr. publicly asked Hollywood to give Mel Gibson another chance during an awards speech. He argued that Gibson deserved to work again, despite past offensive and prejudiced statements. Downey explained he believed in second chances, drawing on his own experiences. While some praised his support, others felt Gibson hadn’t fully made amends for his actions. Ultimately, Downey’s support played a role in Gibson being able to direct again.

Jodie Foster

Jodie Foster stood by Mel Gibson during a difficult time in his life, even casting him in her movie, ‘The Beaver.’ Despite controversial statements he’d made, she publicly defended him, saying he wasn’t a malicious person. Foster recognized his flaws but highlighted his talent and their enduring friendship. While some criticized her decision to work with him, believing he should have been avoided, she insisted that true friendship means supporting someone through hardship.

Whoopi Goldberg

Whoopi Goldberg received significant criticism for her remarks about Roman Polanski and Bill Cosby. On ‘The View,’ she controversially suggested Polanski hadn’t committed “rape-rape,” a confusing and upsetting statement for many. She originally claimed Cosby was innocent until proven guilty, though she later changed her position. These comments were widely seen as downplaying the seriousness of statutory rape and sexual assault. Following public discussion and further information, she has since clarified some of her statements.

Michelle Rodriguez

Michelle Rodriguez faced backlash after speaking out in defense of Liam Neeson, who had revealed he once harbored vengeful thoughts towards a Black man. Rodriguez argued that Neeson couldn’t be racist, pointing to a kiss he shared with Viola Davis in the movie ‘Widows.’ This reasoning was heavily criticized as insensitive and unrelated to the serious issue of racial violence. Rodriguez later apologized, acknowledging her statement was poorly worded. The situation ultimately demonstrated a lack of understanding about the nature of racism.

Katy Perry

When allegations surfaced about a negative work environment on Ellen DeGeneres’ talk show, Katy Perry publicly supported the host on Twitter. Perry shared that she’d only had good experiences as a guest on the show and sent DeGeneres her support. However, many criticized Perry, noting that her experience as a celebrity visitor didn’t represent what it was like to work on the show as staff. Some felt her tweet downplayed the serious concerns raised by employees, and fans asked her to acknowledge the validity of their experiences.

Kevin Hart

As a longtime movie and TV fan, I remember being pretty surprised when Kevin Hart stepped up to defend Ellen DeGeneres during all the talk about what was happening behind the scenes on her show. He really spoke highly of her, calling her one of the best people he knew. He felt like the internet had become this place where people actually want to see others fail, and he was just sharing his personal experience with Ellen. Honestly, it caused a lot of controversy. Many people thought he was prioritizing his friendship with someone powerful instead of supporting those who’d spoken out about a tough work environment. He insisted he was just being honest about how he felt, but it definitely brought up a bigger conversation about how celebrities often stick together and protect each other.

Nick Cannon

After Kevin Hart stepped down from hosting the Oscars because of old homophobic tweets, Nick Cannon publicly defended him. Cannon shared past tweets from female comedians, pointing out what he saw as a double standard – that comedians were being unfairly criticized for jokes they’d made in the past. While some people agreed that standards should be applied consistently, others accused him of deflecting criticism with his comparison. This action clearly showed where Cannon stands on the issue of “cancel culture” in comedy.

Jerry Seinfeld

Jerry Seinfeld spoke out after Roseanne Barr was fired from her show for a racist tweet, suggesting the reaction was too harsh. He felt the network should have found a different solution, like bringing in a new writer, rather than ending her career over a single, offensive joke. While his initial comments drew criticism for seemingly minimizing the harm of Barr’s statement, Seinfeld later explained he wasn’t defending the tweet itself, but rather questioning the severity of the consequences.

John Goodman

John Goodman recently spoke about the cancellation of ‘Roseanne,’ insisting he doesn’t believe Roseanne Barr is racist. He said he was very upset about what happened and the loss of the show as it was originally known. While he admitted feeling down about the situation, he tried to remain unbiased. His support for Barr was questioned by many who strongly disagreed with her controversial statements. Ultimately, the show continued as ‘The Conners’ without her involvement.

Norm Macdonald

Norm Macdonald received strong criticism for defending Roseanne Barr and Louis C.K. in an interview. He pointed out that people seemed to forget the impact on those who were harmed, compared to the career consequences faced by the comedians. Macdonald also said he felt the #MeToo movement had gone too far, which led to his appearance on ‘The Tonight Show’ being cancelled. He later apologized, explaining he didn’t mean to downplay the suffering of victims.

Dave Chappelle

Dave Chappelle often uses his comedy to support comedians and public figures who face backlash or ‘cancel culture.’ He’s openly backed J.K. Rowling, identifying as “Team TERF,” and defended DaBaby after controversial comments. Chappelle also discussed the situation with Louis C.K., questioning the reactions of those who accused him. His jokes have led to protests and some people leaving screenings at Netflix, but he argues he’s protecting the right to express ideas freely through art.

Bill Burr

Bill Burr spoke out in support of his ‘The Mandalorian’ colleague, Gina Carano, after she lost her job due to controversial posts online. He felt the public reaction was excessive and expressed concern that he might be targeted next. Burr criticized the tendency to ‘cancel’ people, arguing it oversimplifies complex issues. His comments brought renewed attention to the debate over Carano’s firing, with fans disagreeing on whether to support Burr’s loyalty or condemn Carano’s views.

Tyrese Gibson

Tyrese Gibson received criticism after speaking out in defense of R. Kelly, expressing sadness over the singer’s career decline. He suggested everyone makes mistakes and felt the public was being too critical of Kelly, arguing his music shouldn’t be forgotten. This sparked strong negative reactions, especially considering the serious accusations against Kelly involving minors. Gibson later clarified that he wasn’t supporting Kelly’s actions, but rather acknowledging the sad circumstances.

Erykah Badu

Erykah Badu paused her concert to pray for R. Kelly, expressing hope for his redemption. She believes in offering love and support even to those who have made mistakes, rather than simply dismissing them. This sparked immediate backlash from the audience and online, with many criticizing her stance. Badu responded by clarifying that she intended to promote healing, not to excuse his actions. However, many people felt her approach was insensitive considering the pain of his victims.

Ye

Kanye West has consistently supported people who have faced serious accusations, including Marilyn Manson and Bill Cosby. He notably invited Manson to perform on stage while Manson was being investigated for sexual assault and publicly stated his belief in Bill Cosby’s innocence. Many saw these actions as intentional attempts to challenge the #MeToo movement, and both fans and critics widely condemned West for giving a platform to individuals accused of abuse.

T.I.

After DaBaby made homophobic remarks onstage at Rolling Loud, T.I. spoke out in his defense, arguing that everyone is entitled to their opinion and shouldn’t be attacked for it. T.I. suggested the criticism was an effort to control hip-hop. However, his stance was widely condemned as a misinterpretation of free speech, with many groups and fans pointing out the harmful nature of DaBaby’s comments.

DaBaby

DaBaby invited Tory Lanez onstage soon after Lanez was accused of shooting Megan Thee Stallion. Many people saw this as a deliberate provocation towards Megan and a public display of support for her alleged attacker. The audience and online communities responded with both confusion and outrage, criticizing the insensitive act. This led to increased calls for DaBaby to be canceled, due to his association with someone accused of violence against women, and further damaged his relationships with major music festivals.

Madonna

In a recent interview, Madonna spoke out in defense of Michael Jackson following accusations of child abuse. She explained that she doesn’t rush to judgment and believes in the principle of innocent until proven guilty, suggesting that some accusers might be motivated by financial gain. However, her comments drew criticism because they seemed to downplay the serious allegations detailed in the documentary ‘Leaving Neverland’. Madonna insisted she wouldn’t condemn Jackson without solid evidence.

Barbra Streisand

Barbra Streisand faced criticism for her remarks about the men who accused Michael Jackson of abuse in the documentary ‘Leaving Neverland’. She implied the accusers were pleased to be with Jackson and downplayed the long-term impact of the abuse. Streisand also showed compassion for Jackson, suggesting his upbringing contributed to his actions. After recognizing the pain her comments caused, she apologized. Many considered her statements to be an example of blaming the victims.

Judi Dench

Judi Dench spoke out against the removal of Kevin Spacey from a finished film after allegations of sexual assault. She worried that his career was being completely wiped out, effectively erasing his contributions to cinema. Dench described Spacey as a talented actor and supportive friend, particularly after the loss of her husband. Her remarks ignited a discussion about whether an actor’s personal actions should overshadow their professional achievements, and she argued that removing him from films set a troubling example.

Morrissey

Morrissey sparked outrage with an interview where he supported Kevin Spacey and Harvey Weinstein. He implied that some people accusing them of misconduct were simply upset their advances weren’t reciprocated, suggesting the definition of harassment had become overly sensitive. These remarks caused many fans to turn away and led to demonstrations at his shows. Morrissey has repeatedly stood by his controversial opinions, refusing to apologize or retract them.

Winona Ryder

Winona Ryder testified in support of Johnny Depp during his libel case, stating she found allegations of abuse unbelievable based on their relationship. She described Depp as a kind and non-abusive person. While his supporters welcomed her statement, some argued it didn’t disprove other people’s experiences. Ryder’s testimony significantly shaped the public’s perception of Depp’s character.

Penélope Cruz

Penélope Cruz publicly supported Johnny Depp, describing him as a kind and talented colleague. She shared that they’ve been friends for a long time and that he always treated her with respect on set. Cruz also praised his generosity and sense of humor. While some criticized her statement as part of a public relations effort to defend Depp, she was one of several well-known women who spoke out in his favor.

Javier Bardem

Javier Bardem publicly supported Johnny Depp, joining his wife, Penélope Cruz, in a statement. He described Depp as a kind and generous person, expressing his affection and appreciation. Bardem also condemned those he believed were spreading false information and unfairly attacking his friend. However, his strong defense was criticized for downplaying the serious allegations of domestic violence. The situation highlighted the differing opinions within the Hollywood community regarding the controversy.

Tiffany Haddish

Tiffany Haddish initially called Will Smith’s slap of Chris Rock at the Oscars a beautiful moment. She saw it as Will defending his wife, Jada, and protecting her dignity, explaining it resonated deeply with her as a Black woman. However, her comments received strong criticism for seemingly justifying violence and overlooking the embarrassment Chris Rock experienced. Many people disagreed with her portrayal of the assault as a loving act.

Liam Neeson

During recent interviews, Liam Neeson defended Kevin Spacey, calling him a brilliant actor and suggesting the film industry is losing valuable talent because of what Neeson sees as an overreaction to the #MeToo movement. These comments sparked backlash, as many felt Neeson was dismissing the serious allegations against Spacey. He’s now among a number of veteran actors who have expressed concern about the impact of #MeToo.

What do you think about these celebrities supporting their friends in the comments? Was it the right thing to do?

2026-01-31 04:49