“Cancel culture” might look like a new and shiny buzzword phrase, but beneath it lies an ancient art form that’s been around since humans learned to talk. Back then, it was extremely localized, but thanks to the Internet, we can scrutinize public figures’ every word and action. Some of them will vanish like hot breath on a cold morning, while others get a free pass no matter what they do or say. What’s up with that?
Mike Tyson
Mike Tyson’s story is a lot. Despite the gravity of the situation, people managed to move on. After being convicted of sexual assault in 1992 and serving time in prison, he returned to boxing and immediately became a blockbuster attraction again, with his comeback marketed as an event in itself. Part of Tyson’s resilience is that his public persona expanded beyond sports. That controversy did not disappear, but it became a lot less prominent compared to all his other scandals and achievements.
Arnold Schwarzenegger
Arnold spent decades honing the image of a perfect movie star, then in 2011, he came out, confirming he had fathered a child, Joseph Baena, during his marriage to Maria Shriver. His honesty did play a big role in helping to restore his “brand.” He acknowledged it, and over time, he built a visible relationship with Joseph, taking accountability for his actions. He also kept working, moving into TV with Netflix’s FUBAR and popping up in new projects like Amazon MGM’s holiday action-comedy The Man with the Bag, where he’s literally Santa Claus. That’s commitment to reinvention.
Hugh Grant
In 1995, Hugh Grant went from being a rom-com heartthrob to a tabloid sensation after being arrested in Los Angeles with sex worker Divine Brown and charged with lewd conduct. That weekend must have been enjoyable for him, but the consequences soon became apparent. He pleaded no contest and was fined and owned it. He didn’t try to turn it into a conspiracy, didn’t pretend he was framed by a rogue paparazzi shrub, or anything like that. Grant appeared on television, acknowledged his mistake, and faced the consequences. Then he kept making movies. Perhaps it’s better to accept the consequences and move on.
Eminem
Ever since Eminem started his rapping career, the “controversy-free” part of his life went out the window. In 2018, he drew backlash for using a homophobic slur aimed at Tyler the Creator on the track “Fall,” later acknowledging he went too far. What’s striking is that the outrage didn’t translate into long-term career damage. His album Kamikaze was at the top spot on the Billboard 200 anyway, and the broader conversation quickly shifted back to his music, as well as smaller beefs.
Jackie Chan
Jackie Chan, aside from his political views, is one of the rare stars who maintains a clean image. He’s faced a lot of criticism, particularly in Hong Kong, after basically backing up the government and suggesting limits on demonstrations. Internationally, his popularity has remained far more intact, especially with audiences who grew up on his action-comedy style and stunt legacy. Hollywood honored him with an honorary Oscar in 2016, and he’s continued stacking credits.
Michael Jackson
Michael Jackson’s controversy continues relentlessly, even after his 2005 acquittal on all charges involving Gavin Arvizo. Some people still don’t believe he was innocent, but for the most part, his devoted fanbase is ready to support the King of Pop. When he announced the This Is It comeback concerts in 2009, demand was explosive. After his death in June 2009, the memorial became a massive global broadcast event, with 31.1 million watching it live on U.S. TV alone.
Kobe Bryant
In 2003, a sexual assault case severely damaged Kobe’s public image. In September 2004, prosecutors dropped the criminal charge after the accuser declined to testify, and Bryant issued a public statement while maintaining the encounter was consensual. Not long after, he re-signed with the Lakers on a seven-year deal worth more than $136 million. In the years that followed, he simply dominated the basketball court and even got an Oscar win, which helped cement a legacy that many fans embraced wholeheartedly, even as critics continued to raise difficult questions.
Tom Cruise
In the 2000s, Tom Cruise’s association with Scientology and outspoken attacks on psychiatry sparked widespread backlash. Later, Vanity Fair reported allegations that Scientology had orchestrated a process to find him a partner, but his lawyer kept denying everything. Cruise refocused his brand around work ethic and stunts, kept delivering hits, and remained a box office pump station with Top Gun: Maverick and Mission: Impossible—The Final Reckoning being the clearest proof that the “movie star” overshadows whatever that Scientology backlash was about.
