17 Famous Individuals Who Publicly Exposed Sexist, Transphobic, or Offensive Behavior

1. This week, Sabrina Carpenter condemned the use of her song "Juno" by the White House in an ICE-related video on X (formerly Twitter). The video paired protest footage with lyrics from her song, including scenes of people being detained. Sabrina expressed her outrage, stating that her music should never be used to support inhumane policies.

2. In November 2025, Olivia Rodrigo criticized the Department of Homeland Security and the Trump administration for using her song "all-american bitch" in a video promoting self-deportation. Olivia called out the use of her music for what she described as racist and harmful messaging, leading to the removal of the song from the video.

3. Earlier in 2025, Millie Bobby Brown publicly challenged journalists who criticized her appearance and suggested she should remain the same as in Stranger Things Season 1. She described such coverage as bullying and emphasized her refusal to apologize for growing up on her own terms, highlighting the broader issue of unrealistic expectations placed on young women.

4. Hayley Williams openly called out country singer Morgan Wallen in 2025, referencing him as the inspiration for a line in her song "Ego Death at a Bachelorette Party" and criticizing his public behavior.

5. Maren Morris addressed Morgan Wallens use of racial slurs and the lack of accountability in the music industry. She also criticized the double standards between male and female country artists, sharing that she and her family received threats for speaking out.

6. Maren Morris also publicly criticized Brittany Aldean for anti-trans comments, dubbing her "Insurrection Barbie" and using her platform to support trans rights through fundraising efforts.

7. In 2020, Samantha Ware called out Lea Michele for alleged microaggressions and harassment during the final season of Glee, sharing her experience of being mistreated on set, which other cast members confirmed.

8. In 2015, Melissa McCarthy addressed a critic who made sexist remarks about her appearance and suggested her husband should not have directed her. She highlighted the double standards in criticism toward women versus men in the industry.

9. Lucy Liu spoke out about Bill Murrays inappropriate behavior toward her during the 1999 Charlie's Angels set, emphasizing the importance of defending her dignity and self-respect despite the power imbalance.

10. Nicole Kidman called out a reporter for asking a sexist question about her past marriage during her Being the Ricardos press tour, refusing to be defined by her personal relationships instead of her professional work.

11. In 2022, Lili Reinhart criticized Kim Kardashian for promoting extreme dieting on the Met Gala red carpet, condemning the impact of toxic body standards on young audiences.

12. Rihanna responded to reports that her song was being used at Donald Trump rallies, clearly stating her opposition and taking legal action to prevent its further use.

13. America Ferrera spoke out against her former manager, who tried to limit her to stereotypical roles, emphasizing the need for fair representation and self-advocacy in Hollywood.

14. Rebel Wilson revealed that an actor, later identified as Sacha Baron Cohen, allegedly harassed her and attempted to suppress discussion of the incident in her memoir. She shared her experience to highlight misconduct in the industry.

15. Marlon Wayans publicly criticized Soulja Boy for anti-LGBTQ remarks, defending his transgender son and speaking out against online harassment and threats.

16. Lady Gaga challenged a reporters invasive question about her body, refusing to entertain rumors about her gender and emphasizing that her fans and she herself did not care about such speculation.

17. Actors from the Harry Potter seriesDaniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, and Emma Watsonaddressed J.K. Rowlings transphobic statements, affirming their support for the transgender community while navigating their personal connections with the author.

Author: Noah Whitman