Margaret Cho Spoke Up About Ellen DeGeneres Pretending Not To Know Her
Comedian Margaret Cho has shared that Ellen DeGeneres has acted strangely toward her for much of her career. The two first crossed paths back in the 1980s while doing stand-up, with Cho even opening some of DeGeneres’s shows. That’s why Cho found it especially odd that, for years afterward, DeGeneres behaved as if they’d never met:
“Ellen was really weird and not nice to me for most of my career. I opened for her in the 1980s, when she was a headliner in comedy clubs and way before her big fame. So then later, when I would do her talk show in the 2000s, she acted like we just met. And I’m like, b*tch, what? Like, that’s weird. We go way back. It’s so creepy and weird.”
Cho, who described DeGeneres as a “mean girl” but also noted she could be “really nice,”, said the way people currently view DeGeneres in the industry lines up more closely with Cho’s personal experiences than the friendly image seen during her talk show years.
Zac Efron and Taylor Swift Playfully Criticized Ellen on Her Own Show
In 2022, Ellen DeGeneres faced major backlash that led to the end of her long-running talk show. While some were surprised by stories of a toxic work environment, there had been earlier moments that hinted something was off.
Back in 2012, repeat guests Taylor Swift and Zac Efron performed a light-hearted but telling duet on the show. Set to the melody of “Pumped Up Kicks,”, the pair poked fun at DeGeneres’s odd behavior, including how she constantly teased them about being a couple and her love for scaring people with surprise pranks. The song highlighted the awkward and uncomfortable aspects of their experiences on the show.
Charisma Carpenter Accused Joss Whedon of Toxic Behavior on ‘Buffy’
During the COVID-19 pandemic, actress Charisma Carpenter—who played Cordelia on Buffy the Vampire Slayer—spoke out against Joss Whedon, the show’s creator, for what she described as abusive and controlling behavior. She accused him of misusing his authority and shared her experience in a heartfelt tweet:
“While he found his misconduct amusing, it only served to intensify my performance anxiety, disempower me, and alienate me from my peers. The disturbing incidents triggered a chronic physical condition from which I still suffer. It is with a beating, heavy heart that I say I coped in isolation and, at times, destructively.”
Her claims were backed up by fellow Buffy actress Amber Benson and supported by Sarah Michelle Gellar, who said she admired the women for coming forward.
Jon Stewart Slammed Hugh Grant for Being an Awful Guest
Hugh Grant holds the unfortunate title of being one of Jon Stewart’s least favorite guests on The Daily Show. Reportedly, Grant threw a dramatic “mega-tantrum” backstage and was rude and difficult during the taping itself.
The incident took place in 2009 when Grant was promoting his movie with Sarah Jessica Parker, Did You Hear About the Morgans? He complained about the “horrible” film clip selected for the segment, prompting Stewart to snap back that he should have “made a better f*cking movie!”. Later, Stewart shared his reason for never inviting Grant back:
“He’s giving everyone sh*t the whole time, and he’s a big pain in the a**.”
Although Grant eventually admitted his behavior wasn’t great and offered an apology, he hasn’t been back on the show since that appearance.
Lili Reinhart Criticized Kim Kardashian’s Met Gala Weight Loss
Kim Kardashian stirred up controversy when she wore Marilyn Monroe’s iconic dress to the 2022 Met Gala, claiming she lost 16 pounds in just 21 days to fit into it. Riverdale star Lili Reinhart didn’t hold back in her reaction and took to Instagram to voice her concerns:
“So wrong. So f*cked on 100s of levels. To openly admit to starving yourself for the sake of the Met Gala. When you know very well that millions of young men and women are looking up to you and listening to your every word. The ignorance is other-worldly and disgusting. Please stop supporting the stupid, harmful celebrities whose entire image revolves around their bodies.”
When fans of Kardashian criticized Reinhart’s post, she didn’t back down. She stood firm in her belief that using her platform to call out toxic industry standards was important.
Although Reinhart had attended the Met Gala in previous years—2018, 2019, and 2021—she said:
“I don’t think I’ll be invited back… I said a certain something about a certain person in a certain dress.”
Rose McGowan Accused Alyssa Milano of Making the Set Toxic
In 2020, Rose McGowan publicly criticized her former Charmed co-star Alyssa Milano after Milano responded to McGowan’s frustrations with the DNC. McGowan fired back in a long post that included serious claims about Milano’s behavior on set:
“You stole #metoo (a brilliant communication tool, not a movement) from Tarana. You co-opted my movement, the Cultural Reset, for fame, jealous of me for outing my rapist. You made 250k per week on Charmed. You threw a fit in front of the crew, yelling, ‘They don’t pay me enough to do this s—!’ Appalling behavior on the daily. I cried every time we got renewed because you made that set toxic AF. Now, get off my coattails you f*cking fraud.”
Milano replied by saying McGowan’s words came from a place of pain, and that continuing the back-and-forth didn’t align with her “wellness plan.”.
Anthony Ramos Called Out Madonna for Using an iPad During ‘Hamilton’
Madonna has been known to use her devices during live shows, and actor Anthony Ramos—part of Hamilton’s original cast—didn’t hold back when he saw her scrolling through an iPad mid-performance. In a 2025 interview on Watch What Happens Live, Ramos described the moment like this:
“Oh, the most terrifying was Madonna with her iPad in her face. She was like this the whole time. I was like, ‘Damn, shorty! If you not enjoying it that much, you know the door’s right there. You ain’t gotta stay here!'”
Other Hamilton cast members, including Jonathan Groff and Lin-Manuel Miranda, also made remarks in the past about her screen usage during the show.
Dominic Monaghan Called Out Matthew Fox For Alleged Domestic Violence
Back in 2012, actor Dominic Monaghan made headlines when he refused a fan’s request to get his former Lost co-star Matthew Fox on Twitter. Instead of brushing it off, Monaghan responded with serious allegations, claiming Fox “beats women.” When fans pushed back and mentioned the “good times” the two seemed to have shared on the show, Monaghan didn’t back down and replied:
“How do you know we ever did? You don’t know either of us. He beats women. Often. Not interested.”
Fox and his representatives firmly denied the “unfounded” accusations. However, Fox had previously been involved in a 2011 incident where he was accused of punching a party bus driver. Later, in an interview with Men’s Fitness, he addressed Monaghan’s comments, calling them “a pile of bullsh*t.”
Jameela Jamil Criticized Quentin Tarantino For Casting Emile Hirsch
In 2015, actor Emile Hirsch was convicted after he assaulted a female Sundance executive at a party, reportedly choking her until she passed out. Years later, Quentin Tarantino chose to cast Hirsch in his film Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood. That decision sparked backlash from actress and activist Jameela Jamil, who took to Twitter to call out both Hirsch’s past actions and what she saw as Hollywood’s double standard:
“Emile Hirsch strangled my tiny female best friend until she blacked out at a party in front of dozens of witnesses at Sundance Film Festival (and was convicted) but Tarantino just cast him in a movie. INTENSE case of rich white male privilege eh? Cool. Cool. Cool.”
Freddie Prinze, Jr. Criticized Kiefer Sutherland’s Conduct on Set
Freddie Prinze, Jr. opened up in 2014 about his rough time working with Kiefer Sutherland on the show 24. The actor, known for his roles in ‘90s teen films, told ABC how his experience on the set made him want to quit acting entirely:
“I did 24, it was terrible. I hated every moment of it. Kiefer was the most unprofessional dude in the world. That’s not me talking trash, I’d say it to his face, I think everyone that’s worked with him has said that. I just wanted to quit the business after that. So, I just sort of stopped.”
While Sutherland’s reputation has been described as “difficult” by some, other cast members have defended him over the years. Sutherland’s team also responded, saying he was unaware of Prinze’s complaints and wished him nothing but the best moving forward.
Maren Morris Spoke Out Against Morgan Wallen’s Use of a Racial Slur
In 2021, country artist Maren Morris took a stand after a viral tweet defended Morgan Wallen, who had been caught using a racial slur. The original post argued that Wallen didn’t represent the country music industry, but Morris had a very different opinion. She pushed back publicly, highlighting deeper issues within the music scene:
“It actually IS representative of our town because this isn’t his first ‘scuffle’ and he just demolished a huge streaming record last month regardless. We all know it wasn’t his first time using that word. We keep them rich and protected at all costs with no recourse.”
Morris’s outspoken comments sparked intense backlash. She reportedly received death threats from fans defending Wallen, but she didn’t back down.
Kim Cattrall Called Out Sarah Jessica Parker for Their Tense History
Kim Cattrall and Sarah Jessica Parker—who starred together on HBO’s Sex and the City—have had a long and complicated relationship. Over the years, they went from appearing as close friends onscreen to publicly addressing their differences. Despite some attempts to downplay the feud, the tension has often spilled into the spotlight.
Cattrall has not held back when speaking about Parker. She’s called her names like a hypocrite and a “mean girl”, especially amid contract rumors and her own decision to skip the show’s reboot. She criticized Parker for not being “nice” and for fostering what she described as a “toxic relationship” on set. Things escalated in 2018 after Cattrall’s brother passed away and Parker reached out publicly:
“Your continuous reaching out is a painful reminder of how cruel you really were then and now. Let me make this VERY clear. (If I haven’t already) You are not my family. You are not my friend. So I’m writing to tell you one last time to stop exploiting our tragedy in order to restore your ‘nice girl’ persona.”
In response, Parker said she was deeply hurt by Cattrall’s comments and rejected the “cat fight” narrative, explaining:
“There is not a ‘fight’ going on. There has been no public dispute or spat or conversations or allegations made by me or anybody on my behalf. I wouldn’t do it. That is not the way I would have it. So I just wish that they would stop calling this a ‘catfight’ or an ‘argument’… There has been one person talking. And I’m not going to tell her not to… so that’s been kind of painful for me also.”
Dwayne Johnson Took a Jab at Vin Diesel Without Naming Him
In 2016, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson made a cryptic Instagram post venting his frustration about some of his male co-stars on the set of Fate of the Furious. While he didn’t mention anyone by name, many people assumed he was referring to Vin Diesel. Johnson praised the women he worked with but didn’t hold back when it came to the men:
“There’s no other franchise that gets my blood boiling more than this one. My female costars are always amazing and I love ’em. My male costars, however, are a different story. Some conduct themselves as stand-up men and true professionals, while others don’t. The ones that don’t are too chicken [sh*t] to do anything about it anyway. Candy a**es.”
Marlon Wayans Criticized Soulja Boy’s Trump Inauguration Appearance
Comedian and actor Marlon Wayans didn’t stay quiet when rapper Soulja Boy chose to perform at Donald Trump’s 2025 inauguration. The two ended up in a heated online exchange after Soulja Boy made offensive and personal remarks about Wayans’s child. In response, Wayans fired back with a jab at Soulja Boy’s relevance:
“If @souljaboy had a career he could cancelled for this type of slander. Luckily he ain’t been relevant since 2007. “
Bette Midler Called Out Ariana Grande’s Video Image
In a 2014 interview with The Telegraph, legendary performer Bette Midler didn’t hold back her opinion about pop star Ariana Grande’s music videos. Midler, who had long been seen as a feminist icon, criticized the way Grande presented herself visually:
“It’s terrible! It’s always surprising to see someone like Ariana Grande with that silly high voice, a very wholesome voice, slithering around on a couch looking so ridiculous. I mean, it’s silly beyond belief, and I don’t know who’s telling her to do it. I wish they’d stop. But it’s not my business, I’m not her mother. Or her manager. Maybe they tell them that’s what you’ve got to do. Sex sells. Sex has always sold. Trust your talent. You don’t have to make a wh*re out of yourself to get ahead. You really don’t.”
Grande responded on Twitter, noting that Midler had always stood for women being able to express themselves freely and without judgment. She made it clear she was still a fan despite the criticism:
“Bette was always a feminist who stood for women being able to do whatever the F they wanted without judgement! not sure where that Bette went but i want that sexy mermaid back!!! always a fan no matter what my love.”
While Grande seemed to take the comment in stride, Bette Midler never offered a formal apology afterward.
