The 20 Most Shocking Gay Celebrity Scandals of the Decade
Celebrity culture often intersects with controversy but the last decade has seen a distinct rise in high-profile scandals involving LGBTQ+ figures. These incidents range from career-ending allegations and legal battles to shocking revelations that dominated the news cycle for months. The public perception of these stars shifted dramatically as details emerged regarding their private lives and professional conduct. This list explores twenty significant moments that shook the entertainment industry and sparked intense global conversations.
Jussie Smollett
‘Empire’ actor Jussie Smollett reported a hate crime in Chicago that initially garnered him massive public sympathy. Police investigations later revealed that he had paid two brothers to stage the attack to raise his public profile. He faced felony charges for making false police reports and maintained his innocence throughout the high-profile trial. The incident sparked intense debate regarding the fabrication of hate crimes and wasted police resources. Smollett was eventually found guilty and sentenced to jail time following the chaotic legal proceedings.
Kevin Spacey
Actor Anthony Rapp accused Kevin Spacey of making a sexual advance toward him when Rapp was a minor in the 1980s. Spacey responded by coming out as gay in a statement that drew widespread criticism for conflating his sexuality with predatory behavior. Multiple other men subsequently stepped forward with similar allegations regarding his conduct in London and the United States. The scandal led to his immediate removal from the final season of ‘House of Cards’ and the film ‘All the Money in the World’. He faced numerous legal battles in both the UK and US with varying verdicts delivered years later.
Ellen DeGeneres
Reports surfaced alleging a toxic work environment behind the scenes of the incredibly popular ‘The Ellen DeGeneres Show’. Former employees claimed they faced racism and intimidation while working for the daytime talk show host who built her brand on kindness. An internal investigation by WarnerMedia resulted in the firing of three top executive producers. DeGeneres apologized on air but the damage to her reputation proved irreversible for the long-running program. The show concluded its nineteen-season run shortly after the massive drop in ratings and public trust.
Ezra Miller
The star of ‘The Flash’ faced a series of escalating legal issues and arrests beginning with incidents in Hawaii. Authorities charged Miller with disorderly conduct and harassment following altercations at a karaoke bar. Additional disturbing allegations emerged involving the grooming of minors and a burglary charge in Vermont. The actor eventually released a statement acknowledging complex mental health issues and committed to treatment. Warner Bros proceeded with the release of the superhero film despite the significant controversy surrounding its lead.
George Santos
Congressman George Santos faced expulsion from the House of Representatives after a multitude of lies regarding his background were exposed. He fabricated details about his education and employment history as well as his family heritage. Photos surfaced showing him dressed in drag in Brazil despite his conservative political alignment. Federal prosecutors charged him with fraud and money laundering related to his campaign finances. His tenure became a national spectacle that highlighted significant flaws in political vetting processes.
Phillip Schofield
British television presenter Phillip Schofield admitted to having an affair with a much younger male colleague while he was still married. He initially lied to his management and co-host Holly Willoughby about the nature of the relationship. The revelation led to his immediate resignation from ‘This Morning’ and ITV after decades of serving as a staple of daytime television. Schofield later gave emotional interviews describing the catastrophic impact the scandal had on his mental health and career. The incident sparked an external review into the workplace culture at the television network.
Colton Underwood
Former ‘The Bachelor’ star Colton Underwood faced a restraining order filed by his ex-girlfriend Cassie Randolph. She accused him of stalking her and placing a tracking device on her vehicle after their breakup. Underwood later came out as gay in a highly publicized interview with Robin Roberts on ‘Good Morning America’. He starred in a Netflix reality series titled ‘Coming Out Colton’ that documented his life transition. The juxtaposition of the stalking allegations and his redemption arc drew mixed reactions from the public.
James Charles
Beauty influencer James Charles lost millions of subscribers in a matter of days following a public feud with mentor Tati Westbrook. Westbrook released a video titled ‘Bye Sister’ that accused Charles of disloyalty and inappropriate behavior toward straight men. Charles posted an apology video that was widely mocked before eventually refuting the claims with receipt-heavy evidence. The fallout reshaped the beauty community and highlighted the volatility of internet fame. He later faced separate allegations regarding online interactions with minors that further damaged his brand.
Bryan Singer
Director Bryan Singer faced multiple accusations of sexual misconduct involving minors that spanned several decades. The allegations resurfaced with intensity around the release of the Queen biopic ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’. He was fired from the film during production due to unexplained absences and clashes with the cast. An exposé published by ‘The Atlantic’ detailed new claims that effectively halted his career in Hollywood. Singer has consistently denied the allegations and has not directed a major studio project since.
Ricky Martin
Pop icon Ricky Martin faced a shocking scandal when his nephew filed a domestic violence restraining order against him in Puerto Rico. The accuser claimed they had been in a sexual relationship and that Martin harassed him after it ended. Martin vehemently denied the allegations and his legal team labeled the claims as disgusting and fabricated. The nephew eventually withdrew the case in court and the judge dismissed the restraining order. Martin subsequently filed a multi-million dollar civil lawsuit against his nephew for extortion and malicious persecution.
Sherry Pie
Drag queen Sherry Pie was disqualified from ‘RuPaul’s Drag Race’ before her season even finished airing. Several men accused the performer of catfishing them by posing as a casting director to solicit compromising audition tapes. Joey Gugliemelli admitted to the behavior and apologized for the trauma caused to the victims. The show aired the season with a disclaimer and largely edited the contestant out of the episodes. This incident remains one of the biggest vetting failures in the history of the reality competition franchise.
Jeffree Star
Makeup mogul Jeffree Star has faced relentless controversies regarding his past racist language and aggressive online feuds. An investigative piece by ‘Insider’ alleged violent behavior and hush-money payments within his inner circle. Star was also deeply involved in the beauty community drama known as Dramageddon alongside Shane Dawson. He eventually sold his California mansion to move to a yak ranch in Wyoming to escape the Los Angeles scene. Despite the scandals he maintains a massive and loyal following on social media.
John Barrowman
‘Doctor Who’ actor John Barrowman faced backlash after allegations resurfaced regarding him exposing himself on set. Co-stars confirmed he would frequently pull his pants down as a misguided prank during the filming of ‘Torchwood’ and ‘Doctor Who’. Barrowman apologized for what he termed high-spirited tomfoolery but insisted it was never sexual in nature. The controversy led to his removal from an immersive theatre project and a seemingly quiet exit from the franchise. The incident sparked conversations about professional boundaries and changing standards in the industry.
Aaron Schock
Former Congressman Aaron Schock resigned from office following a scandal involving the misuse of public funds. He famously decorated his office in the style of ‘Downton Abbey’ and billed thousands of dollars to taxpayers. While in office he voted against LGBTQ+ rights despite persistent rumors about his own sexuality. He came out as gay years after his resignation and was photographed partying at Coachella. Many activists criticized his hypocrisy for voting against the interests of the community he was secretly a part of.
Todrick Hall
Performer Todrick Hall faced severe criticism following his appearance on ‘Celebrity Big Brother’ where viewers attacked his personal conduct. Beyond reality TV he faced a lawsuit regarding unpaid rent on a luxury home in Los Angeles. Several dancers and collaborators also came forward on social media accusing him of failing to pay them for their work. Hall denied the allegations and attributed the backlash to racism and misunderstandings. The accumulation of bad press significantly tarnished his reputation within the theatre and dance communities.
Don Lemon
CNN anchor Don Lemon was fired from the network following a string of on-air controversies and reports of poor workplace behavior. He faced backlash for making ageist comments regarding presidential candidate Nikki Haley being past her prime. A ‘Variety’ exposé detailed a history of alleged misogynistic behavior toward female colleagues dating back years. Lemon claimed he was terminated without warning and expressed shock at the decision by network management. He attempted to pivot to a partnership with X which also collapsed publicly after an interview with Elon Musk.
Nikita Dragun
Transgender influencer Nikita Dragun was arrested at a hotel in Miami after reportedly causing a disturbance and walking around the pool naked. Police charged her with felony battery on a police officer following the chaotic confrontation. The incident caused outrage when authorities placed her in a men’s unit at the correctional facility despite her legal gender identity. Her team released statements emphasizing her struggle with mental health issues at the time of the arrest. She subsequently took a hiatus from social media to focus on her recovery.
Matty Healy
The 1975 frontman Matt Healy caused an international incident during a performance at the Good Vibes Festival in Malaysia. He delivered a speech criticizing the country’s anti-LGBTQ+ laws before kissing his male bassist Ross MacDonald on stage. The Malaysian government immediately cancelled the remainder of the festival and banned the band from the country. Local activists and queer artists criticized Healy for performative activism that endangered the local community. The festival organizers threatened a lawsuit against the band for the financial losses incurred.
Lil Nas X
Rapper Lil Nas X sparked a massive culture war with the release of his music video for ‘Montero (Call Me By Your Name)’. The video featured the artist giving a lap dance to Satan and was released alongside unauthorized Nike sneakers containing a drop of human blood. Conservative pundits and politicians expressed outrage and accused him of promoting devil worship to children. Nike sued the art collective behind the shoes to distance themselves from the controversy. The scandal ultimately propelled the song to the top of the charts and solidified his status as a provocateur.
Jerrod Carmichael
Comedian Jerrod Carmichael hosted the Golden Globes and shocked the audience with brutally honest jokes that targeted the Hollywood Foreign Press Association. He drew gasps when he made a joke referencing Whitney Houston and the hotel where she died. Another segment involved him coming on stage with three Golden Globe statues and joking about trading them for the return of Shelly Miscavige. The awkward tension in the room was palpable and critics were divided on his fearless approach. His hosting stint remains one of the most uncomfortable and talked-about nights in awards show history.
Please tell us which of these scandals you found the most surprising in the comments.