Inside Hollywood’s most explosive controversies

OJ Simpson—once a beloved football star and rising actor—was accused in 1994 of brutally murdering his ex-wife Nicole Brown Simpson and her friend Ronald Goldman. The case instantly became one of the most explosive in U.S. history.

But the real shock was what he did next…

OJ Simpson was acquitted, but the world remained divided. In 2006, he nearly released a book titled If I Did It—a hypothetical account of how he might have committed the murders. He denied the killings until his death, but later served time for unrelated crimes.
 

Next: Another scandal that shattered Hollywood’s elite…

Harvey Weinstein—one of Hollywood’s most powerful producers—was accused of sexual harassment, assault, and rape by numerous women. The accusations tore the veil off decades of industry silence.

What ensued was a worldwide movement….

As the Weinstein story broke, more and more women came forward—including A-list actresses—sharing stories of abuse that stretched back over 20 years. Weinstein was sentenced to 39 years in prison, though one conviction has since been overturned.

Again, this wasn’t just about one man.

The Weinstein scandal sparked the global #MeToo movement—giving voice to survivors of harassment and abuse around the world. At the 75th Golden Globe Awards in 2018, stars wore black as a symbol of protest and solidarity.

‘Brangelina' was born on the set of Mr. & Mrs. Smith in 2005—while Brad Pitt was still married to Jennifer Aniston. Their chemistry lit up the screen… and ignited a tabloid firestorm. In 2016, Angelina Jolie filed for divorce, citing ‘irreconcilable differences.’

What was happening behind closed doors was far darker than anyone expected…

Allegations surfaced that Brad Pitt became aggressive toward Angelina and their children during a flight. For years, the exes fought over their six children and multimillion-dollar assets. A settlement was finally reached in December 2024.

Next up: The scandal that turned Britain’s rom-com king into a global punchline…

In 1995, Hugh Grant’s polished image shattered when he was caught in Los Angeles with sex worker Divine Brown. The scandal rocked tabloids worldwide—and spelled the end of his relationship with actress and model Liz Hurley.

But scandalous relationships in Hollywood? They've been around much longer…

Charlie Chaplin wasn’t just a cinema legend—he was also one of Hollywood’s earliest scandal magnets. Known for relationships with much younger women, Chaplin faced multiple lawsuits and public backlash that followed him for decades.

Even today, one scandal still overshadows a former governor’s career…

Arnold Schwarzenegger and Maria Shriver were once seen as the perfect blend of politics and Hollywood. But in 2011, everything unraveled when Arnold admitted to fathering a child with the family’s housekeeper—years earlier. The confession ended their 25-year marriage.

Natalie Wood, best known for West Side Story, drowned during a 1981 boat trip—but the circumstances of her death remain shrouded in mystery. Officially ruled an accident, her case has fueled decades of speculation.

But the deeper details only raise more chilling questions…

Natalie Wood was terrified of water. Witnesses reported shouting on the boat—and female cries during the night. Her husband, actor Robert Wagner, was considered a person of interest when the case was reopened in 2011.

To this day, the truth about that night has never been uncovered…

Acclaimed director Woody Allen sparked global outrage when he began a relationship with Soon-Yi Previn—the adopted daughter of his then-partner, Mia Farrow. The scandal shattered public opinion and tore a family apart.

And yet, Hollywood was far from done with disturbing headlines…

Roman Polanski was one of the most respected filmmakers in the world—until he pleaded guilty to the rape of a 13-year-old girl in 1977. Before sentencing, he fled the U.S. and has been living in exile ever since.

Before this scandal hit, there was a tragedy that also changed his life…

In 1969, Sharon Tate—eight months pregnant and married to Roman Polanski—was brutally murdered by followers of Charles Manson. The horror of her death stunned the nation and became one of the darkest chapters in Hollywood history.

Bill Cosby, once beloved for The Cosby Show, was accused by over 60 women of drugging and assault. In 2018, he was convicted, becoming one of the most powerful men in Hollywood to fall in the wake of the #MeToo movement.

However, his conviction took a controversial turn…

In 2021, Cosby’s conviction was overturned by Pennsylvania’s Supreme Court. The reason? A previous deal with a prosecutor meant he should never have been charged in the first place. The decision sparked national outrage.

Now this scandal certainly doesn't compare to one of the far more serious listed here, but it certainly dominated headlines for months.

At the 2022 Oscars, Will Smith shocked the world by slapping comedian Chris Rock on stage after a joke about his wife Jada Pinkett Smith. The moment hijacked the entire ceremony—and sparked a global conversation about violence, ego, and accountability.

Some celebrity scandals come from the most unexpected places…

In 2001, Winona Ryder was arrested for stealing thousands in designer clothes. The incident rocked her image and nearly ended her career. Though she later made a comeback, the scandal left a lasting mark.

Want more? The next scandal will leave you speechless.

Mel Gibson’s 2006 DUI arrest quickly spiraled when he launched into a tirade filled with anti-Semitic remarks. Once one of the biggest stars in Hollywood, his reputation crumbled—and has never fully recovered.
 

In 2000, Angelina Jolie walked into the Oscars after-party… and locked lips with her brother in front of flashing cameras. The bold moment sent shockwaves through Hollywood—and quickly made tabloid history.
 

And that wasn’t the only time they did it…

After repeating the lip-lock in public, Angelina and her brother defended it as a spontaneous show of affection. Jolie told Entertainment Weekly it was 'brotherly love.' He told the Daily Mail it was a “quick kiss.'

But the media wasn’t so quick to forget…

Owen Wilson has three children—but while he’s often seen with his two sons, he remains estranged from his only daughter. 

Next: A love triangle involving three of Britain’s biggest stars…

Kenneth Branagh was married to Emma Thompson—until 1995, when he famously had an affair with Helena Bonham Carter. Thompson was shattered… and later channeled that raw pain into her scene in Love Actually.

In 2002, Michael Jackson dangled his nine-month-old son over a Berlin hotel balcony, shocking the world. While fans screamed below, concern soared for the baby’s safety. The singer later apologised, saying:

‘I got caught up in the excitement of the moment. I would never intentionally endanger the lives of my children.’

However, this isn't the controversy that has clouded Jackson's legacy.

After Michael Jackson’s death, multiple individuals came forward accusing the pop icon of sexual abuse during their childhoods. Though never convicted, the allegations cast a shadow over the King of Pop’s legacy.

In 2014, Orlando Bloom and Justin Bieber nearly came to blows in a nightclub. The reason? Bieber had reportedly bragged about sleeping with Bloom’s ex-wife, model Miranda Kerr. Cameras caught the chaos as the feud exploded.

In 2007, Alec Baldwin made headlines after he harassed his daughter Ireland when she did not show up to a planned meeting with her father. He left her a violent voicemail, saying:

'You don't have the brains or the decency as a human being. I don't give a damn that you're 12 years old or 11 years old or that you're a child or that your mother is a thoughtless pain-in-the-ass who doesn't care about what you do as far as I'm concerned.'

Baldwin’s most tragic scandal came years later, on set…

In 2021, Alec Baldwin accidentally fired a loaded prop gun on the set of Rust, killing cinematographer Halyna Hutchins. The incident triggered criminal investigations, lawsuits, and a fierce debate about safety in Hollywood.

And finally: one of the most heartbreaking stories in all of showbiz history…

The actress, mostly known for her roles in The Land Before Time and All Dogs Go To Heaven, was murdered by her own father in 1988. The 10-year-old girl and her mother were shot before her father turned the gun against himself and set the house on fire.