The 25 Biggest Tantrums Thrown by “America’s Sweetheart” Actresses

Hollywood often bestows the title of America’s Sweetheart upon actresses who project innocence and charm on the silver screen. This heavy pedestal can lead to intense pressure and occasional public breakdowns when the reality of their lives clashes with their curated images. The following incidents highlight moments where beloved stars reportedly engaged in shocking behavior or on-set disputes. These stories reveal the complex human emotions that exist behind the polished smiles of the entertainment industry.

Reese Witherspoon

The public image of this Southern belle shifted dramatically during a traffic stop in Atlanta in 2013. Police pulled over the vehicle her husband was driving and suspected him of driving under the influence. Reese Witherspoon grew agitated with the officer and famously asked if he knew her name. She disobeyed instructions to stay in the vehicle and was subsequently arrested for disorderly conduct. The incident was captured on dashcam footage and resulted in a public apology from the actress.

Julia Roberts

Julia Roberts earned a difficult reputation during the filming of the fantasy movie ‘Hook’ in the early nineties. Reports from the set suggested she was emotionally volatile and frequently clashed with director Steven Spielberg. Crew members allegedly gave her the nickname Tinkerhell due to her behavior during production. Spielberg later admitted in an interview that it was not a great time for them to work together. The actress has since downplayed the feud but the stories remain a part of Hollywood lore.

Lindsay Lohan

Production on the film ‘Georgia Rule’ stalled due to the erratic behavior of its young star. The studio executive James G. Robinson wrote a scathing public letter to Lindsay Lohan criticizing her lack of professionalism. He cited her heavy partying and repeated lateness as the primary reasons for the delays. The letter stated that her actions were acting like a spoiled child and threatened legal action. This marked a turning point where her industry reputation began to suffer significantly.

Katherine Heigl

Katherine Heigl created a media firestorm when she withdrew her name from Emmy consideration for her role in ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ in 2008. She released a statement claiming the writing was not strong enough to warrant a nomination. This move reportedly infuriated the showrunner Shonda Rhimes and alienated the writers of the series. Her comments were viewed as ungrateful and unprofessional by many in the industry. The incident is often cited as a major factor in the stalling of her film career.

Lea Michele

Former cast members of the musical series ‘Glee’ came forward with allegations against Lea Michele in 2020. Actress Samantha Ware accused the star of making her time on the show a living hell through traumatic microaggressions. Other co-stars supported these claims and described a toxic work environment perpetuated by the lead actress. Lea Michele eventually issued an apology for how her past behavior was perceived. The controversy caused her to lose a sponsorship deal with a meal kit company.

Jennifer Lopez

Jennifer Lopez has faced persistent rumors regarding her specific demands while working on film sets and music videos. Industry insiders claim she requires her dressing rooms to be entirely white with white flowers and furniture. She reportedly refuses to speak directly to certain staff members and prefers communication to go through her assistants. One specific rumor alleges she requested a hotel maid be fired for asking for an autograph. Her team has frequently denied the more extreme allegations of diva behavior.

Anne Hathaway

Anne Hathaway reportedly lost her cool over a breakfast order while filming a commercial in Los Angeles. She sent her eggs back to the chef four times because they were not prepared to her exact specifications. The first plate was too runny and the second was too dry. By the time the eggs were cooked perfectly she decided she wanted a fried egg instead. The incident painted a picture of a perfectionist who can be difficult to please.

Constance Wu

Constance Wu faced immediate backlash after tweeting her disappointment regarding the renewal of her show ‘Fresh Off the Boat’. She posted an expletive on social media and claimed the renewal forced her to give up a passion project. Fans and critics viewed the reaction as ungrateful toward the show that launched her career. The actress later clarified that her frustration was about the loss of another artistic opportunity. She stepped back from the spotlight for a period following the intense online criticism.

Emma Roberts

Police in Montreal arrested Emma Roberts in 2013 following a domestic dispute with her boyfriend Evan Peters. Authorities arrived at their hotel room after receiving reports of a disturbance and found Peters with a bloody nose. She was taken into custody but released hours later after he declined to press charges. The couple released a joint statement calling it an unfortunate incident and misunderstanding. The event shocked fans who associated her with more innocent teenage roles.

Ariana Grande

Security footage from a donut shop in California captured Ariana Grande licking pastries on display that she did not purchase. She was also recorded stating that she hated America and Americans while looking at a tray of donuts. The video went viral and caused a significant public relations crisis for the singer and actress. She eventually apologized for her behavior and cited frustration with childhood obesity rates. The incident remains one of the most bizarre public outbursts from a former child star.

Mischa Barton

The departure of Mischa Barton from the hit teen drama ‘The O.C.’ was reportedly fueled by her behavior on set. Sources claimed she was generally unhappy with the direction of the show and acted out during filming. Her character was killed off in a dramatic car accident which allowed her to leave the series. She later admitted to having a difficult time handling fame at such a young age. The tension between her and the producers became an open secret in Hollywood.

Shannen Doherty

Shannen Doherty gained a reputation for being difficult during her time on the teen drama ‘Beverly Hills, 90210’. She frequently engaged in heated arguments with cast members and was often late to the set. Her friction with co-star Jennie Garth reportedly escalated to a physical altercation on one occasion. The producers eventually wrote her character out of the show due to the ongoing disruptions. This pattern of behavior reportedly continued during her later work on ‘Charmed’.

Jennifer Lawrence

Jennifer Lawrence faced criticism for scolding a foreign journalist during a press conference at the Golden Globes. She interrupted the reporter to tell him he should not live his life behind his phone screen. Viewers pointed out that the reporter was likely using his phone to read translated questions. The internet reaction turned against her and labeled the outburst as rude and out of touch. It marked a rare moment where her candor was not received as charming.

Rachel McAdams

Rachel McAdams reportedly walked out of a cover shoot for ‘Vanity Fair’ in 2006. The actress arrived at the set and discovered that the other two subjects were planning to pose nude. She felt the parameters of the shoot had been changed without her consent and refused to participate. Her publicist later stated that she was not comfortable with the direction the photographer wanted to take. The magazine published the cover with just Keira Knightley and Scarlett Johansson.

Teri Hatcher

Tension among the cast of ‘Desperate Housewives’ reached a breaking point during a photo shoot for ‘Vanity Fair’. Reports surfaced that the other actresses did not want Teri Hatcher to be positioned in the center of the group. The shoot was described as a nightmare by staff who had to navigate the egos of the stars. The friction was so intense that the magazine avoided putting her in the middle to prevent a walkout. It highlighted the severe lack of camaraderie behind the scenes of the hit show.

Megan Fox

Megan Fox compared director Michael Bay to Napoleon and Hitler in a magazine interview regarding their work on ‘Transformers’. She described him as a nightmare to work for and criticized his directing style. The comments reached executive producer Steven Spielberg who reportedly ordered her dismissal from the franchise. She was replaced in the third installment of the series. The incident significantly stalled her momentum as a leading lady in blockbuster action films.

Winona Ryder

The 2001 arrest of Winona Ryder for shoplifting at a department store in Beverly Hills shocked the world. Security stopped her as she left the store with thousands of dollars worth of designer merchandise. The subsequent trial dominated headlines and featured security footage of the actress cutting tags off items. She claimed she was preparing for a movie role but the jury found her guilty of grand theft. The scandal forced her into a long hiatus from major Hollywood productions.

Gwyneth Paltrow

Gwyneth Paltrow has faced accusations of elitism rather than traditional tantrums. Her lifestyle brand often promotes expensive and inaccessible products that draw ire from the general public. She famously complained that she could not pretend to be someone who makes a modest income. These comments often spark outrage and paint her as disconnected from reality. Her courtroom demeanor during a 2023 ski collision trial also generated viral moments of perceived arrogance.

Amanda Bynes

Amanda Bynes suffered a very public breakdown that played out across social media and the streets of Los Angeles. She posted erratic tweets attacking other celebrities and her own family members. The situation escalated when she allegedly started a small fire in the driveway of a stranger. Authorities placed her under an involuntary psychiatric hold to ensure her safety. It was a tragic fall for an actress who had been a comedy staple for Nickelodeon.

Miley Cyrus

Miley Cyrus worked hard to shed her Disney Channel image and often did so through controversial performances. Her performance at the 2013 VMAs involved provocative dancing that shocked the audience and viewers at home. She faced intense scrutiny for the act which many deemed inappropriate for her young fanbase. The singer defended her artistic choices and refused to apologize for the spectacle. It was a calculated move that effectively killed her ‘Hannah Montana’ persona.

Sarah Jessica Parker

The feud between Sarah Jessica Parker and Kim Cattrall on the set of ‘Sex and the City’ is legendary. Reports suggest that Parker created an exclusionary environment that isolated Cattrall from the rest of the cast. Cattrall later stated publicly that they were never friends and rejected condolences from Parker after a family tragedy. The tension is cited as the primary reason the third movie in the franchise was never made. Parker maintains that she never fought with her co-star despite the public claims.

Kim Cattrall

Kim Cattrall was often blamed by the media for holding up the production of a third ‘Sex and the City’ film. She reportedly refused to sign on unless the studio met her specific demands regarding other projects. The actress stated she had simply moved on and did not want to revisit the character. Her refusal led to a public spat with her former castmates who expressed disappointment. She stood her ground and the project was eventually converted into a television reboot without her.

Florence Pugh

Rumors of a feud overshadowed the release of the film ‘Don’t Worry Darling’ in 2022. Florence Pugh reportedly limited her press appearances and avoided interacting with director Olivia Wilde. The actress stayed silent on social media about the project while praising the crew instead of the creative leadership. Fans speculated the tension stemmed from on-set affairs and firing controversies. Her noticeable distance during the premiere fueled the narrative of a production in chaos.

Sharon Stone

Sharon Stone sued the producers of ‘Basic Instinct 2’ for millions of dollars claiming they promised her a film that was never made. When the film finally went into production reports surfaced about her delaying filming. She allegedly disappeared from the set for hours and demanded changes to the script. The film was a critical and commercial failure upon release. Her battles with the studio painted her as a demanding presence in the industry.

Dakota Johnson

Dakota Johnson participated in an incredibly awkward interview with Ellen DeGeneres that went viral. The host accused the actress of not inviting her to a birthday party. Johnson firmly corrected the host on air and stated that she was invited but did not come. The exchange was tense and revealed a crack in the friendly facade usually seen on talk shows. It was widely seen as a moment where the actress refused to play along with the Hollywood game.

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