One too many celebrities have made racist remarks, comments, or tweets, and it's about time they're called out for it. Some celebrities were fully canceled for their racist words or actions, while others sent out formal apologies and have tried to make it right. People are opening their eyes to the systemic racism that exists in the US, and specifically, in the entertainment industry. Now that we are finally in a period where racism is no longer tolerated, these celebs might want to look for a new gig. Using racial slurs is absolutely not OK, and many actors or celebrities lost their jobs because of the words they used. While we aren't fans of cancel culture, racism is one thing that warrants distrust in these celebrities. Some of these instances were from years ago, but others are way too recent.
If it was still a question at all: White people can not say the N-word. Using this racial slur has gotten way too many celebrities into hot water when they should have never said it in the first place. Celebrities have way too much influence to start using racial slurs. Kids who look up to these actors and influencers could think that language like that is OK for them to use. It's time for parents to open up to their kids about what racism is, and how to combat it in their day-to-day lives.
These celebrities won't be role models to kids anymore, but Mom and Dad could be. These kinds of conversations aren't meant to be easy, but they are necessary if we want to shape the world into a better, more inclusive, place. Let's try to be better than these celebs, and agree to never judge a person based on the color of their skin. There are so many more celebrities out there who have caused a fuss because they made a racist remark.
Here are just 20 celebrities who have been called out for using racial slurs.
Hannah Brown
Bachelor and Bachelorette fan-favorite Hannah Brown rocked the franchise's world when she let slip the N-word while singing along to a song. Hannah was learning a TikTok dance on Instagram Live and had clearly had one too many sips of alcohol. The reality star quickly apologized for saying the word, but many didn't feel it was a genuine statement. Fellow Bachelorette lead Rachel Lindsay expressed her disappointment in Hannah. Finally, Hannah released a long video expressing her sorrow and how terrible she felt for the action — and that she would work to earn back the trust of her fans.
Madonna
In 2014, Madonna posted a photo of her and then 13-year-old son Rocco Ritchie. The mother of six captioned the post of her son in a boxing ring with a troubling hashtag. "No one messes with Dirty Soap! Mama said knock you out! #disn—a," she wrote. Then, when she received tons of backlash for the use of the word, she changed her caption to a snarky. "Ok let me start this again. #get off my [redacted] haters!" Madonna mentioned.
Finally, on the following Saturday, she deleted the post altogether and sent out an apology. The singer insisted that she used the N-word as a term of endearment … right.
Gwyneth Paltrow
Gwyneth Paltrow got called out on Twitter after she tweeted the name of a song title that featured the N-word in it. "[Redacted] in paris for real," Gwyneth wrote in reference to the Jay-Z and Kanye West song "N—as In Paris." When Gwyneth got heat, she swiftly replied that she only meant it in reference to the song. The Goop-founder tweeted, "Hold up. It's the title of the song!"
That didn't excuse the tasteless joke or use of the word in the slightest.
Paris Hilton
When Paris Hilton was 20, she was caught on tape saying the N-word. Paris and Nicky Hilton were dancing to a Notorious B.I.G. song, and in the clip, she turns to the camera and exclaims, "We're like two [redacted]." Her publicist made a statement later expressing that Paris had regret for saying the word, but we've never heard a direct apology from the heiress.
Tim Allen
In 2013, Tim Allen made headlines for telling the Tampa Bay Times that he should be able to use the N-word in comedy whenever he likes. Tim, who voices Buzz Lightyear in Toy Story and stars in Home Improvement, claimed that he had used the phrase plenty of times in his stand-up set. He said in the interview, "If I have no intent, if I show no intent, if I clearly am not a racist, then how can '[redacted]' be bad coming out of my mouth?"
Abby Lee Miller
Infamous dance teacher Abby Lee Miller just lost her upcoming reality series Abby's Virtual Dance-Off after racist accusations surfaced. One of the Dance Moms moms, Adriana Smith, shared to social media that Abby had made racist statements to her and her daughter Kamryn.
"I couldn't think of a more perfect day to address my experience with Abby Lee Miller. Wanna know the truth? Wanna know my TRUTH? Swipe Right to find out," Adriana wrote in a fiery caption. She included a lengthy statement that included accusations that Abby had said to her daughter, "I know you grew up in the HOOD with only a box of 8 crayons, but I grew up in the Country Club with a box of 64."
Abby released an apology to her own Instagram, but Adriana refused to accept it.
Ryan Guzman
9-1-1 actor Ryan Guzman has issued another apology for defending his use and his fiancee's use of racial slurs in the past. Ryan plays Eddie Diaz on the Fox firefighting drama and used the N-word in tweets back in 2011. "I know my thoughtless words and actions have hurt people and I apologize. I am truly sorry, hold myself accountable and take full responsibility for my defensiveness and ignorance," the actor wrote in an Instagram post.
Camila Cabello
Fifth Harmony fans were so disappointed when the girl group broke up, and were even more hurt when it was discovered that beloved member Camila Cabello had made racist remarks to her own band member, Normani. Camila apologized for racist tweets that resurfaced, but her relationship with Normani never recovered. Normani shared that it took Camila years to acknowledge her racist past, and that it really hurt her personally.
Giuliana Rancic
E! News host Giuliana Rancic made a few enemies when she made a racist and offensive comment about Zendaya during a fashion critic show, Fashion Police. Giuliana suggested that because Zendaya wore her hair in locs that "she must smell like patchouli oil or weed." Zendaya fired back hardcore in a statement on Instagram, and Giuliana issued a public apology.
Paula Deen
Paula Deen was a part of a disturbing lawsuit in 2013, when she and her brother were sued by a former restaurant manager for racial and sexual harassment. The celebrity chef owns multiple restaurants in Savannah, Georgia, and suggested that because she was born in a different time, she didn't understand the severity of these racial issues. Paula claimed that she had used the N-word, but had never made any racist jokes.
Roseanne Barr
Roseanne Barr was totally canceled and ruined her entire career after going on a Twitter rant, making seriously disturbing racist comments about former President Barack Obama. Her comment referred to him as the "Muslim Brotherhood & Planet of the Apes." As a result, ABC canceled Roseanne's self-titled sitcom. The actor has made multiple racist, anti-Semitic tweets in the past, as well.
Jack Maynard
Offensive comments from I Am A Celebrity Jack Maynard's past have resurfaced. The YouTuber made racist and homophobic remarks in an interview with The Sun in 2012. In 2017, he apologized in a video to his 1.2 million subscribers. "I was young I was careless, I just wasn't thinking, this was back when I had just left school and I didn't know what I was doing," he said. He also admitted to tweeting some "horrible" things, too. "All I can do is beg and encourage that you guys don't make the same mistake as well … Don't put anything online you wouldn't say to your mum."
Hartley Sawyer
The Flash's Hartley Sawyer has been fired after racist and misogynist tweets from his past have surfaced. The 2012 to 2014 tweets joked about exposing his racist tendencies, and he joked that he would "beat the hell out of [his] wife if [he] had one." Hartley apologized on his Instagram and assured his followers that he no longer recognizes the person he once was. His co-stars expressed their disappointment in him, and hoped that this would be a lesson to all.
Kelly Osbourne
In 2015, Kelly Osbourne made offensive comments about Latinos on the talk show The View. The women of the talk show were discussing President Donald Trump's immigration policy and his desire to build a wall. Kelly made an off-hand comment that came off totally nasty. She said, "If you kick every Latino out of this country, then who is going to be cleaning your toilet, Donald Trump?" Of course, that remark caused total outrage.
Hulk Hogan
Hulk Hogan was reportedly released from the WWE after he was caught saying the N-word on tape in 2006, which was released in 2015. When the wrestler was inducted into the Boys & Girls Clubs of America's Alumni Hall of Fame in 2016, he referenced his "mistake" in his speech. Then, later in an interview with The View, he spoke more directly about the scandal. "It's probably the stupidest thing I ever said. The people who know me know I'm not a racist," he said.
Chelsea Handler
Comedian, author, and talk show host Chelsea Handler has been open and honest about her white privilege. However, she's still tone deaf when it comes to acting on it. The comedian has been criticized for a number of racist jokes that she's made in the past, and addresses it in her new show Hello, Privilege. It's Me, Chelsea.
Gigi Hadid
The supermodel was uninvited to the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show in China after making racist jokes about slanted eyes. Gigi and her sister, Bella, were in videos on Instagram Stories pulling on her eyes to emulate the racist stereotype about Asian eyes. VS and Gigi never commented on the issue, but the model tweeted, "I'm so bummed I won't be able to make it to China this year. Love my VS family, and will be with all my girls in spirit!!"
PewDiePie
YouTube superstar PewDiePie — aka Felix Kjellberg — has captured the attention of millions with his video game reaction videos and goofy sense of humor. But he also has strong anti-Semitic values that he isn't shy about sharing. In one video, he held up a Nazi salute and hired two performers who held up a sign that read, "Death To All Jews."
Mel Gibson
In 2010, Mel Gibson allegedly left a racist and misogynistic rant on his ex-girlfriend's voicemail. This wasn't his first racist rant, either. In 2006, he made anti-Semitic comments while a police officer accused him of drunk driving. Despite these racist outbursts and disturbing accusations, the actor-director has continued to get work in Hollywood.
Bill Maher
The HBO talk show host apologized for using the N-word on air during an interview in 2017. "I did a bad thing. For black folks, that word, I don't care who you are, it's caused pain. It doesn't matter that it was not said in malice, it caused pain and that's why I apologized," Bill noted. "I'm not that big of an [redacted]. We're all evolving. Yes, it was wrong and I own up to that. It happened, and it was wrong. People make mistakes, we're all sinners."
HBO also apologized on his behalf and promised to keep the comment from airing on any subsequent shows.
