The Most Disliked Black Actresses of All Time, Ranked

Black actresses have brought incredible depth and energy to screens big and small over the decades with roles that challenge norms and tell real stories. Yet many have faced intense public scrutiny from scandals that involve legal battles family dramas or comments that sparked heated debates. These moments often overshadow their work and shift how audiences view them. This countdown looks at those key events in a simple way.

25. Vivica A. Fox

Vivica A. Fox got her start in soaps like ‘Days of Our Lives’ in the late 1980s. She broke out in ‘Independence Day’ as Will Smith’s girlfriend during the alien invasion. She spoke out against Tyler Perry’s films calling them insulting to black women in a 2016 interview. This led to backlash from fans who saw her words as attacking a major figure in black entertainment.

24. Sherri Shepherd

Sherri Shepherd began as a stand-up comic before joining ‘The View’ as a co-host in 2007. She appeared in ’30 Rock’ as Angie D’Arcangelo a sassy mom figure. She made comments on ‘The View’ questioning the existence of climate change and evolution. These statements drew criticism for spreading misinformation on a major platform.

23. Raven-Symoné

Raven-Symoné rose to fame as Olivia on ‘The Cosby Show’ in the 1980s. She led ‘That’s So Raven’ as a teen with psychic visions for four seasons. She identified as an American on ‘The View’ in 2014 avoiding racial labels. Many accused her of rejecting black identity and ignoring systemic racism.

22. Stacey Dash

Stacey Dash first appeared in ‘Clueless’ as Dionne a fashionable best friend in 1995. She ran for Congress as a Republican in 2018 promoting conservative views. She tweeted support for Donald Trump and criticized Black Lives Matter. Her positions alienated much of her fanbase leading to boycott calls.

21. Omarosa Manigault Newman

Omarosa Manigault Newman gained notice on ‘The Apprentice’ as a competitive contestant in 2004. She served as a White House aide under Trump from 2017 to 2018. She released a tell-all book ‘Unhinged’ accusing Trump of racism and released secret tapes. Critics called her disloyal for profiting off insider info.

20. Cynthia Bailey

Cynthia Bailey joined ‘The Real Housewives of Atlanta’ in 2010 modeling and running her eyewear line. She appeared in ‘Life of a King’ as a supportive wife. Her divorce from Peter Thomas in 2016 involved public arguments over infidelity. The messy breakup played out on TV drawing sympathy and scorn.

19. Kenya Moore

Kenya Moore debuted on ‘The Real Housewives of Atlanta’ in 2012 bringing drama and glamour. She starred in ‘The Confessional’ a short film about relationships. She faced suspension from the show in 2021 over unapproved footage of a castmate. Accusations of bullying followed her through multiple seasons.

18. Kandi Burruss

Kandi Burruss entered reality TV on ‘The Real Housewives of Atlanta’ in 2009 after Grammy wins. She acted in ‘Temptations: This Is My Story’ as a group member. Her s*x toy line sparked debates about promoting promiscuity in black communities. Family feuds on the show amplified the controversy.

17. NeNe Leakes

NeNe Leakes became a breakout star on ‘The Real Housewives of Atlanta’ starting in 2008. She played Rocky in ‘The New Normal’ a bold nurse character. She used the n-word in a 2015 tweet defending her speech. The backlash led to her issuing a public apology.

16. Phaedra Parks

Phaedra Parks joined ‘The Real Housewives of Atlanta’ in 2010 as a lawyer and entrepreneur. She appeared in ‘The Sisterhood’ discussing faith and business. Her ex-husband Apollo Nida went to prison for fraud in 2015 amid their divorce. Rumors of her involvement in his schemes damaged her image.

15. Tami Roman

Tami Roman first starred in ‘The Real World’ in 1993 as a fiery housemate. She acted in ‘The Parkers’ as a recurring friend. Her marriage to Reggie Youngblood involved multiple separations shown on ‘Basketball Wives’. Public spats over his infidelity fueled tabloid coverage.

14. Evelyn Lozada

Evelyn Lozada joined ‘Basketball Wives’ in 2010 dealing with luxury and conflict. She appeared in ‘Dope’ as a party guest. Her 2012 domestic violence incident with Chad Johnson ended in his arrest. The event led to widespread media dissection of their relationship.

13. Karlie Redd

Karlie Redd debuted on ‘Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta’ in 2012 as a rapper and actress. She starred in ‘La La’s Full Court Life’ cameo. Her on-show romances cycled through multiple partners with cheating allegations. Fans criticized her for drama-seeking patterns.

12. Mo’Nique

Mo’Nique won an Oscar for ‘Precious’ in 2009 playing a tough mom. She hosted ‘The Parkers’ as a college student for five seasons. She claimed blackballing by Oprah and Tyler Perry over her Oscar campaign boycott. The feud resurfaced in 2022 interviews.

11. Toni Braxton

Toni Braxton acted in ‘Twinkie Town’ as a singer in a kids’ story. She appeared in ‘Braxton Family Values’ showing family dynamics. Her 2013 bankruptcy filing amid luxury spending drew financial scrutiny. Ongoing health battles with lupus added to public concern.

10. Blac Chyna

Blac Chyna transitioned from modeling to acting in ‘Black Chyna Adventures’ shorts. She played a role in ‘The Lab Rat’ thriller. Her custody battle with Rob Kardashian in 2017 involved leaked texts and revenge porn claims. The drama escalated family feuds.

9. Nicki Minaj

Nicki Minaj voiced in ‘The Angry Birds Movie’ as a colorful bird. She appeared in ‘Barbershop: The Next Cut’ as a stylist. Her 2018 feud with Cardi B at a fashion event turned physical. Support for her brother convicted of rape in 2017 drew heavy criticism.

8. Remy Ma

Remy Ma served prison time for assault in 2008 before acting in ‘Definition of a Paper Chase’. She appeared in ‘Shether’ video diss track. Her 2017 shooting of a friend over money led to six-year sentence. Post-release feuds with Nicki Minaj kept headlines busy.

7. Lil’ Kim

Lil’ Kim acted in ‘Zoolander’ as a designer in 2001. She played in ‘Notorious’ as a rapper’s muse. Her 2005 perjury conviction for lying to a grand jury got her a year in prison. Skin lightening and plastic surgery sparked debates on self-image.

6. Brandy Norwood

Brandy Norwood starred in ‘Moesha’ as a teen navigating life for six seasons. She appeared in ‘Cinderella’ as the title role in 1997. A 2006 car crash killing another driver led to hit-and-run charges dropped later. The tragedy haunted her career.

5. Aaliyah

Aaliyah Dana Haughton debuted in ‘Romeo Must Die’ as a club dancer in 2000. She starred in ‘Queen of the Damned’ as a vampire queen. Her 2000 secret marriage to R. Kelly at age 15 annulled quickly. The age gap and legality issues resurfaced posthumously.

4. Janet Jackson

Janet Jackson headlined ‘Nutty Professor II: The Klumps’ as a love interest in 2000. She performed in ‘Rhythm Nation World Tour’ films. The 2004 Super Bowl wardrobe malfunction with Justin Timberlake caused FCC fines. Blackballing claims followed her career slowdown.

3. Rihanna

Rihanna acted in ‘Battleship’ as a sailor in 2012. She voiced in ‘Home’ as a tipper teen. Her 2009 assault by Chris Brown led to his guilty plea. Her later collaborations with him drew accusations of excusing abuse.

2. Tina Knowles

Tina Knowles appeared in ‘Juwanna Mann’ as a coach’s wife in 2002. She managed Destiny’s Child early on. Her 2020 divorce from Richard Lawson after eight years shocked fans. Rumors of family tensions amplified media coverage.

1. Whoopi Goldberg

Whoopi Goldberg created ‘The View’ as a co-host since 2007. She won an Oscar for ‘Ghost’ as a psychic medium in 1990. Her 2022 suspension from the show over Holocaust comments upset Jewish groups. She apologized but faced boycott calls.

Who do you think belongs on this list of most disliked black actresses or who would you swap around? Drop your thoughts in the comments.