Black Actors Cancelled for Controversial Tweets

Social media has transformed the landscape of celebrity culture by giving fans direct access to their favorite stars. Platforms like Twitter allow actors to share their thoughts instantly but this freedom often comes with significant professional risks. Many prominent figures have faced severe backlash or lost high-profile jobs due to impulsive or offensive posts. The permanence of the internet means that even old comments can resurface to derail a thriving career. This list explores twenty Black actors who faced public outcry and professional consequences following controversial tweets.

Kevin Hart

The comedian and actor was announced as the host for the 2019 Academy Awards before old tweets resurfaced. Internet users found posts from years prior containing homophobic slurs and anti-gay sentiments. The Academy demanded an apology which Hart initially refused to offer as he felt he had addressed the issue previously. He ultimately stepped down from the hosting gig amid the mounting pressure. The controversy sparked a massive debate regarding comedy and accountability in the digital age.

Ye

The artist and actor formerly known as Kanye West destroyed his business empire with a series of antisemitic posts in 2022. He posted a tweet declaring he was going to go “death con 3” on Jewish people which led to an immediate suspension from the platform. Major corporate partners including Adidas and Gap severed ties with him shortly after the outburst. His agency dropped him and MRC shelved a completed documentary about his life. This period marked one of the most rapid and total cancellations of a superstar in modern history.

Roseanne Barr

While primarily known for her sitcom, the actress destroyed her career reboot with a single racist tweet in 2018. She posted a comment comparing former Obama advisor Valerie Jarrett to a mix of the Muslim Brotherhood and the ‘Planet of the Apes’. ABC swiftly cancelled the revival of ‘Roseanne’ despite its massive ratings success. The network later retooled the show as ‘The Connors’ and killed off her character. She blamed ambien for the tweet but the excuse failed to save her reputation.

Nick Cannon

The ‘Wild ‘N Out’ host faced termination from ViacomCBS in 2020 after promoting a podcast episode on Twitter. He shared an interview with Professor Griff that contained antisemitic conspiracy theories and anti-white rhetoric. The media conglomerate condemned the hateful speech and severed their decades-long relationship with him. Cannon eventually issued a lengthy apology and partnered with Jewish leaders to educate himself. He was eventually rehired but the incident remains a significant stain on his career.

Cee Lo Green

The singer and voice actor faced intense scrutiny in 2014 after posting a series of tweets regarding the definition of rape. He tweeted that consent is implied if the victim is unconscious which caused an immediate uproar. The comments were made after he pleaded no contest to a felony charge of furnishing a controlled substance. TBS cancelled his reality show ‘The Good Life’ shortly after the social media meltdown. He eventually deleted his Twitter account for a period following the backlash.

Stacey Dash

The ‘Clueless’ actress transitioned from Hollywood darling to conservative pundit and alienated much of her fanbase on Twitter. She faced heavy criticism for calling for the end of Black History Month and BET networks. Her tweets regarding transgender rights and her support for polarizing political figures led to her being labeled a pariah in Black Hollywood. Fox News eventually declined to renew her contract as a contributor. She has since apologized for her more extreme political era and claimed she was angry at the time.

Letitia Wright

The ‘Black Panther’ star faced calls for recasting after she shared a video on Twitter questioning the safety of COVID-19 vaccines. The video also contained transphobic and climate change denial rhetoric which compounded the backlash. Wright engaged with critics in the comments before eventually deactivating her account entirely. Reports surfaced that her stance caused friction on the set of the Marvel sequel. She later returned to social media but kept a much lower profile regarding personal beliefs.

Terry Crews

The ‘Brooklyn Nine-Nine’ actor found himself at the center of a Twitter storm in 2020 during the height of the Black Lives Matter movement. He tweeted that “defeating White supremacy without White people creates Black supremacy” which many found offensive and unhelpful. His co-stars and fans publicly criticized the statement for undermining the message of the protests. Crews doubled down on his stance in subsequent tweets before eventually offering an apology. The incident damaged his standing with many fans who felt he was pandering to a specific demographic.

Azealia Banks

The rapper and actress known for ‘Love Beats Rhymes’ is perhaps more infamous for her Twitter suspensions than her filmography. She was banned from the platform in 2016 after directing racist and homophobic slurs at singer Zayn Malik. Her social media history includes feuds with Russell Crowe and Sarah Palin alongside various other derogatory comments. The consistent controversial behavior has largely overshadowed her artistic output and limited her casting opportunities. She remains a cautionary tale of how online toxicity can derail talent.

Isaiah Washington

The actor was fired from ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ in 2007 for using a homophobic slur on set but his Twitter usage kept the controversy alive years later. He frequently used the platform to reignite feuds with former castmates and critics. In 2014 he tweeted that critics of his return to the show should “cut their veins” which sparked a new wave of outrage. His combative social media presence has kept him on the fringes of mainstream Hollywood. He eventually announced an early retirement from the industry in 2023.

50 Cent

The rapper and ‘Power’ producer frequently uses Twitter and Instagram to mock other celebrities and ignite feuds. He faced significant backlash for mocking Terry Crews after Crews shared his story of sexual assault. He also posted insensitive comments regarding the victims of the 2011 Japanese earthquake and tsunami. While his business ventures remain successful his social media antics often draw sharp criticism for being cruel. His unfiltered online persona has alienated peers and fans alike.

Tyrese Gibson

The ‘Fast & Furious’ actor experienced a very public meltdown on social media in 2017 involving custody battles and financial woes. He used Twitter and Instagram to attack his co-star Dwayne Johnson for accepting a spinoff movie. The erratic posts included videos of him crying and making claims that concerned his followers and industry peers. While he retained his role in the franchise the public nature of his personal struggles damaged his image. He later claimed psychotropic medication contributed to his behavior.

T.I.

The rapper and ‘Ant-Man’ actor sparked international outrage with comments made on a podcast and defended on social media. He revealed that he accompanied his daughter to gynecologist appointments to check her hymen. The comments regarding his daughter’s virginity were widely condemned as intrusive and controlling. He did not return for the third installment of the Marvel franchise though the studio denied it was due to the controversy. The incident severely impacted his reputation as a family man.

Columbus Short

The ‘Scandal’ actor saw his career collapse due to a combination of legal issues and erratic social media behavior. He was fired from the hit show following domestic violence allegations which he compounded with threatening tweets. He engaged in online tirades against those he felt had wronged him including former collaborators. The actor struggled to find mainstream work for years following his dismissal. His social media presence documented a downward spiral that validated the studio’s decision to fire him.

Lil Mama

The rapper and actress faced cancellation attempts after starting a “heterosexual rights movement” on social media. She posted transphobic comments and criticized children for changing their gender identity. The remarks alienated her LGBTQ+ fanbase and led to a loss of support from industry peers. She attempted to clarify her statements but the damage to her reputation was already done. The controversy stalled her momentum as she was transitioning into acting roles.

Erykah Badu

The neo-soul icon and actress faced backlash for tweets defending Bill Cosby amid his sexual assault allegations. She also generated controversy by stating she saw “good” in everyone including Adolf Hitler during a Vulture interview she promoted online. Her refusal to condemn Cosby led to heated arguments with fans on Twitter. While her musical legacy is secure these comments caused many to distance themselves from her. She has consistently maintained her right to hold unpopular opinions.

Mo’Nique

The Oscar-winning actress called for a boycott of Netflix on Twitter citing racial and gender bias in their salary offers. While her points on pay equity were valid her aggressive approach toward heavyweights like Oprah Winfrey and Tyler Perry polarized the industry. She used social media to air grievances that many felt should have been handled privately. The fallout led to a prolonged period where she was effectively blackballed from major productions. She eventually settled her lawsuit with the streaming giant years later.

Skai Jackson

The former Disney Channel star faced criticism for her usage of Twitter to expose alleged racists. While many supported her activism she faced backlash for doxing minors by sharing their private information with her millions of followers. Critics argued that her methods incited harassment and went too far in policing the behavior of teenagers. The “guacamole” meme incident involving a typo in her tweet also became a viral moment that mocked her serious persona. She has since moderated her approach to online activism.

Michael Che

The ‘Saturday Night Live’ head writer and actor has a history of wiping his social media accounts after controversial posts. He faced backlash for Instagram stories and tweets that mocked a critic who wrote a negative review of his work. He also faced criticism for making jokes about the transgender community which he defended as standard comedy. His combative relationship with the online audience often leads to cycles of posting and deleting. The pattern has made him a polarizing figure in the comedy world.

Jess Hilarious

The comedian and star of the sitcom ‘Rel’ faced severe backlash for a series of tweets and videos profiling Sikh men in turbans. She claimed she felt threatened by them boarding a plane and the posts were widely condemned as xenophobic and racist. The incident occurred shortly after her show was cancelled by Fox. She issued an apology after the internet dragged her for ignorance and bigotry. The controversy halted her ascent in the television industry for a significant time.

Tell us which of these controversies you remember most by leaving a response in the comments.