Celebs Who Faced Backlash for Defending “Cancelled” Friends

Celebrities often find themselves in precarious positions when their friends or colleagues face public condemnation for controversial behavior. While some choose to distance themselves to preserve their own reputations, others decide to speak out in support of the accused. These acts of loyalty frequently spark intense debates about accountability and the separation of art from the artist. The following individuals faced significant public criticism after voicing support for figures who had been “cancelled” by the public.

Ashton Kutcher

Ashton Kutcher faced severe public criticism after submitting a character reference letter for his former co-star Danny Masterson. The letter described the convicted actor as a role model and a positive influence on others. Kutcher requested leniency from the judge before Masterson was sentenced for two counts of rape. Fans and victims expressed outrage that he supported someone found guilty of such serious crimes. He later issued a video apology stating the letters were intended for the judge only.

Mila Kunis

Mila Kunis joined her husband in writing a character letter to support Danny Masterson prior to his sentencing. She vouched for his exceptional character and referred to him as an older brother figure who discouraged drug use. The public reaction was swift and overwhelmingly negative given the severity of the convictions against Masterson. Kunis appeared alongside Kutcher in an apology video to address the pain their letters caused to victims. The incident led to a significant dip in her public approval ratings.

Lindsay Lohan

Lindsay Lohan took to social media to defend Harvey Weinstein as allegations of sexual misconduct against him mounted. She posted a video stating that she felt very bad for him and did not think the situation was right. Lohan claimed that Weinstein had never harmed her during their professional relationship. Her comments were widely condemned for dismissing the experiences of numerous other women. She eventually deleted the posts after facing intense criticism from followers and peers.

Scarlett Johansson

Scarlett Johansson has repeatedly defended director Woody Allen against allegations of sexual abuse. She stated in an interview that she believes him and would work with him anytime. Her unwavering support drew criticism from advocacy groups and fans who stand with his accusers. Johansson argued that she had direct conversations with Allen where he maintained his innocence. This stance placed her at odds with many in the #MeToo movement.

Alec Baldwin

Alec Baldwin has been a vocal defender of Woody Allen and frequently criticizes those who condemn the director. He compared the treatment of Allen to a mob mentality and argued against the renunciation of his work. Baldwin engaged in heated arguments with users on social media who questioned his loyalty to the director. His defense often centers on the fact that Allen was never convicted of a crime. This position has made Baldwin a polarizing figure in discussions about abuse allegations.

Diane Keaton

Diane Keaton publicly utilized social media to stand by Woody Allen during the height of the industry distancing itself from him. She tweeted that she believed her friend and linked to a 1992 interview where he denied the allegations. Her support disappointed many fans who felt it undermined the credibility of his accusers. Keaton has starred in several of Allen’s most famous films including ‘Annie Hall’. She remains one of the few high-profile actresses to maintain a close public friendship with him.

Ralph Fiennes

Ralph Fiennes defended ‘Harry Potter’ author J.K. Rowling against the backlash she received for her comments on transgender issues. He described the verbal abuse directed at her as disgusting and appalling. Fiennes argued that people can disagree with her views without resorting to death threats and vitriol. His comments sparked debate about the line between harassment and holding public figures accountable. Many fans felt his defense overlooked the harm caused by the author’s rhetoric.

Helena Bonham Carter

Helena Bonham Carter dismissed the criticism against J.K. Rowling as a load of bollocks in a magazine interview. She claimed the author was being hounded and that people had lost their sense of history. Carter also defended her co-star Johnny Depp and stated he had been completely vindicated after his defamation trial. Her remarks drew criticism for being dismissive of the complexities surrounding both controversies. She suggested that cancel culture had become a witch hunt.

Brian Cox

Brian Cox expressed sympathy for J.K. Rowling and criticized the high-profile actors who distanced themselves from her. He labeled the treatment of the author as unjust and praised her entitlement to her own opinion. Cox also defended director Bryan Singer by calling him a remarkable artist despite his behavioral reputation. His comments were met with disappointment from fans who felt he was prioritizing talent over accountability. The veteran actor maintained that art should be separated from the artist.

Kelly Rowland

Kelly Rowland faced a mixed reaction from a live audience when she accepted an award on behalf of Chris Brown. The crowd booed when Brown’s name was announced at the American Music Awards. Rowland silenced the audience and demanded they show respect for the singer’s musical contributions. She later doubled down on her support by stating that everyone deserves grace and forgiveness. Critics argued that her defense minimized Brown’s history of domestic violence.

Justin Bieber

Justin Bieber drew criticism for praising Chris Brown as a combination of Michael Jackson and Tupac Shakur. He posted a dedicated image on Instagram urging people to overlook Brown’s past mistakes. Bieber argued that the singer’s talent was being overshadowed by a single incident. The post received backlash from followers who felt it was insensitive to victims of abuse. He was accused of normalizing violent behavior by placing Brown on a pedestal.

Robert Downey Jr.

Robert Downey Jr. used his speech at an award ceremony to ask Hollywood to forgive Mel Gibson. He appealed to the industry to allow Gibson to work again despite his history of anti-Semitic and racist remarks. Downey cited his own experience with redemption and second chances as the reason for his plea. While some applauded his loyalty, others felt Gibson had not done enough to earn reinstatement. The defense helped pave the way for Gibson’s eventual return to directing.

Jodie Foster

Jodie Foster remained a steadfast friend to Mel Gibson and cast him in her film ‘The Beaver’ during his lowest point. She publicly stated that he was not a hateful person despite his recorded outbursts. Foster acknowledged his complexities but emphasized his talent and their long-standing friendship. Her decision to provide him a platform was criticized by those who felt he should be ostracized. She maintained that loyalty involves standing by friends when they struggle.

Whoopi Goldberg

Whoopi Goldberg faced intense scrutiny for her comments regarding Roman Polanski and Bill Cosby. She infamously argued on ‘The View’ that Polanski was not guilty of “rape-rape,” a distinction that confused and angered viewers. Goldberg also initially asserted that Cosby was innocent until proven guilty before eventually changing her stance. Her comments were viewed as minimizing the severity of statutory rape and sexual assault. She has since walked back some of these statements following public education.

Michelle Rodriguez

Michelle Rodriguez came under fire for defending Liam Neeson after he admitted to once wanting to kill a Black man in revenge for a friend’s rape. She argued that Neeson could not be racist because of how he kissed Viola Davis in the movie ‘Widows’. Her logic was widely mocked and criticized as being tone-deaf and irrelevant to the issue of racial violence. Rodriguez later apologized and admitted she had used a poor choice of words. The incident highlighted a misunderstanding of how racism operates.

Katy Perry

Katy Perry tweeted support for Ellen DeGeneres when the talk show host was facing allegations of creating a toxic workplace. Perry stated that she only had positive takeaways from her time on the show and sent love to the host. Critics pointed out that Perry’s experience as a celebrity guest did not reflect the reality of employees. The tweet was seen as dismissive of the valid complaints lodged by staff members. Fans urged her to stop invalidating the experiences of workers.

Kevin Hart

Kevin Hart defended Ellen DeGeneres during her workplace toxicity scandal and called her one of the dopest people on the planet. He claimed that the internet had become a crazy place where people love to see the downfall of others. His support was met with backlash from those who felt he was protecting a powerful friend over vulnerable employees. Hart argued that he was simply speaking his truth about their friendship. The defense reignited conversations about celebrity cliques protecting their own.

Nick Cannon

Nick Cannon was one of the few celebrities to publicly support Kevin Hart after the comedian stepped down from hosting the Oscars due to homophobic tweets. Cannon posted old tweets from other female comedians to highlight what he perceived as a double standard. He argued that comedians were being unfairly targeted for past jokes. While some agreed with his point about consistency, others felt he was engaging in “whataboutism.” The move solidified his stance against cancel culture in comedy.

Jerry Seinfeld

Jerry Seinfeld defended Roseanne Barr after she was fired from her show for a racist tweet. He argued that firing her was an overreaction and that the network should have hired another writer instead. Seinfeld stated that he didn’t see the need to destroy someone’s career over a bad joke. His comments were criticized for downplaying the racist nature of Barr’s statement. He later clarified that he wasn’t defending the tweet itself but questioned the punishment.

John Goodman

John Goodman broke his silence on the cancellation of ‘Roseanne’ by stating he knew for a fact that Roseanne Barr was not a racist. He expressed sadness over the situation and the loss of the show’s original legacy. Goodman mentioned that he was depressed by the fallout but tried to stay neutral. His defense of her character was met with skepticism by those who found her comments indefensible. He eventually continued with the spin-off series ‘The Conners’ without her.

Norm Macdonald

Norm Macdonald faced severe backlash for comments he made defending Roseanne Barr and Louis C.K. in an interview. He suggested that the public had forgotten that the victims of these controversies didn’t have to go through the same pain as the comedians losing their careers. Macdonald stated that he was happy the #MeToo movement had slowed down. His comments led to the cancellation of his appearance on ‘The Tonight Show’. He later apologized and said he never intended to minimize the pain of victims.

Dave Chappelle

Dave Chappelle has frequently used his comedy specials to defend fellow comedians and public figures who have been cancelled. He explicitly declared himself “Team TERF” in support of J.K. Rowling and defended DaBaby following homophobic remarks. Chappelle also addressed the Louis C.K. situation by criticizing the fragility of the accusers. His material has caused walkouts at Netflix and protests from the LGBTQ+ community. He maintains that he is fighting for the freedom of artistic expression.

Bill Burr

Bill Burr defended his ‘The Mandalorian’ co-star Gina Carano after she was fired for controversial social media posts. He stated that he thought the backlash was crazy and worried that people were waiting for him to make a mistake next. Burr criticized the climate of cancel culture and claimed it was removing nuance from public discourse. His comments reignited the debate surrounding Carano’s departure from the franchise. Fans were divided between supporting his loyalty and condemning her statements.

Tyrese Gibson

Tyrese Gibson faced criticism for defending R. Kelly during an interview where he lamented the singer’s downfall. He suggested that everyone has demons and that Kelly was being judged too harshly by the public. Gibson argued that the singer’s musical contributions should not be erased. The backlash was intensified by the severity of the crimes Kelly was accused of committing against minors. Gibson later claimed he was not defending the crimes but acknowledging the tragedy of the situation.

Erykah Badu

Erykah Badu stopped a concert to offer a prayer for R. Kelly and stated that she hoped he would see the light. She argued against the idea of discarding people who have done wrong and advocated for unconditional love. Her comments drew immediate boos from the crowd and criticism on social media. Badu engaged with detractors online by insisting that her message was about healing rather than endorsement. Many felt her spiritual approach was inappropriate given the victims’ suffering.

Ye

Kanye West has repeatedly defended controversial figures including Marilyn Manson and Bill Cosby. He brought Manson out on stage during a listening party while the rocker was facing multiple sexual assault allegations. West also famously tweeted that Bill Cosby was innocent. These actions were interpreted as deliberate provocations against the #MeToo movement. Fans and critics alike condemned him for providing a platform to accused abusers.

T.I.

T.I. defended rapper DaBaby after he made homophobic comments during a performance at Rolling Loud. He argued that people should be allowed to speak their minds and that bullying someone for their opinion was wrong. T.I. claimed that the backlash was an attempt to police hip-hop culture. His defense was criticized for conflating hate speech with freedom of expression. Organizations and fans called him out for failing to understand the danger of the rhetoric used.

DaBaby

DaBaby brought Tory Lanez out on stage shortly after Lanez allegedly shot Megan Thee Stallion. The move was widely seen as a taunt directed at Megan and a show of solidarity with the accused shooter. The audience and social media users reacted with confusion and anger at the insensitivity of the stunt. DaBaby faced further cancellation calls for aligning himself with someone accused of violence against women. The incident deepened the rift between him and major industry festivals.

Madonna

Madonna defended Michael Jackson against allegations of child abuse in a magazine interview. She stated that she does not have a lynch-mob mentality and believes people are innocent until proven guilty. The pop icon claimed that money often motivates accusers to come forward with false stories. Her comments were criticized for dismissing the detailed testimonies presented in the documentary ‘Leaving Neverland’. She maintained that she would not judge him without proof.

Barbra Streisand

Barbra Streisand sparked outrage when she commented on the accusers featured in the documentary ‘Leaving Neverland’. She suggested that the men were thrilled to be with Michael Jackson and that the abuse did not kill them. Streisand also expressed sympathy for Jackson and blamed his sexual needs on his own childhood trauma. She later issued an apology after realizing the hurt her words caused to survivors. The comments were viewed as a shocking instance of victim-blaming.

Judi Dench

Judi Dench criticized the decision to remove Kevin Spacey from a completed film following sexual assault allegations. She expressed concern that his entire body of work was being erased from history. Dench praised Spacey as a wonderful actor and good friend who comforted her after her husband’s death. Her comments sparked a debate about whether it is possible to separate an actor’s legacy from their personal conduct. She maintained that scrubbing him from films was a dangerous precedent.

Morrissey

Morrissey gave a controversial interview where he defended Kevin Spacey and Harvey Weinstein. He suggested that some accusers were merely disappointed that their sexual encounters did not lead to career advancement. The singer claimed that the definitions of harassment were becoming too broad and ridiculous. His comments alienated many of his remaining fans and led to protests at his concerts. Morrissey has consistently refused to back down from his polarizing views.

Winona Ryder

Winona Ryder provided a witness statement defending her former fiancé Johnny Depp during his libel trial. She stated that the allegations of violence were impossible to believe based on her experience with him. Ryder described him as a truly good man who was never abusive towards her. While Depp’s fans embraced her statement, critics argued that her experience did not invalidate the claims of others. Her defense was a key part of the narrative surrounding the actor’s character.

Penélope Cruz

Penélope Cruz submitted a declaration in support of Johnny Depp describing him as a kind and brilliant partner. She emphasized their long friendship and how he had treated her with respect during their work together. Cruz highlighted his generosity and humor as traits that defined him. Her support was criticized by those who felt it was part of a coordinated PR campaign to discredit his accuser. She remained one of several high-profile women to vouch for him.

Javier Bardem

Javier Bardem joined his wife Penélope Cruz in writing a statement of support for Johnny Depp. He called Depp a true gentleman and expressed his love and gratitude for the actor. Bardem criticized the toxic beings who he felt were unfairly targeting his friend with lies. His passionate defense was seen as dismissing the serious nature of the domestic violence accusations. The statement showcased the divide within Hollywood regarding the controversy.

Tiffany Haddish

Tiffany Haddish described Will Smith slapping Chris Rock at the Oscars as the most beautiful thing she had ever seen. She interpreted the act as a husband standing up for his wife and protecting her honor. Haddish stated that it meant the world to her as a Black woman to see a man take that kind of action. Her comments were widely condemned for romanticizing violence and ignoring the humiliation inflicted on Rock. She faced backlash for reframing an assault as a gesture of love.

Liam Neeson

Liam Neeson recently stated that he does not believe Kevin Spacey is a monster during a press tour. He praised Spacey as one of the finest actors in the theater and cinema. Neeson lamented that the industry was losing out on talent due to what he perceives as a witch hunt. His comments drew immediate criticism for overlooking the numerous allegations against Spacey. The remarks added Neeson to the list of older actors criticizing the #MeToo movement’s impact.

Share your thoughts on whether these celebrities were right to stand by their friends in the comments.