Some celebrities face lasting career damage after a major controversy, while others eventually return to work despite public backlash. The difference often depends on the situation, the severity of the controversy, industry support, public response, and how much time passes.
This roundup looks at ten stars who faced serious criticism, professional setbacks, lawsuits, firings, or public scandals but later continued working in entertainment. Their careers were not always untouched, but each one found a way back into the spotlight.
James Gunn
James Gunn was fired from Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 3 in 2018 after old offensive tweets about rape and pedophilia resurfaced online. Disney called the language indefensible and severed all business ties with him.
Disney quietly rehired Gunn in March 2019 following pressure from the cast and crew who publicly defended him. He later became co head of DC Studios and directed Superman, released in 2025 to strong reviews.
Kevin Hart
Kevin Hart stepped down as Oscars host in December 2018 after homophobic tweets from years earlier resurfaced just days after his hosting announcement. He initially refused to apologize, then later changed course and did apologize.
Hart continued releasing stand up specials and starring in big action comedies throughout the following years without much real interruption. He remains one of the highest paid comedians working today, largely unaffected by the controversy.
Johnny Depp
Johnny Depp lost major roles in Pirates of the Caribbean and Fantastic Beasts in 2020 after losing a UK libel case tied to abuse accusations from ex Amber Heard. Studios distanced themselves following that ruling.
Depp won his 2022 defamation trial against Heard, and the case ended in a settlement later that year. He has since returned with French and independent films, plus a major studio thriller called Day Drinker.
Doja Cat
Doja Cat faced major backlash in 2020 after old chatroom videos surfaced showing her using racial slurs in online spaces tied to alt right and white supremacist communities. She denied any racist involvement but apologized.
Despite losing hundreds of thousands of followers, Doja Cat kept topping charts and earning Grammy nominations throughout the controversy. Her defiant attitude toward critics has become part of her public persona rather than hurting it.
Sydney Sweeney
Sydney Sweeney faced backlash in 2025 after an American Eagle ad featuring a pun on genes and jeans was accused of promoting eugenics by some critics online. The controversy quickly became a politically charged debate.
American Eagle stood firmly behind the campaign instead of apologizing, and sales reportedly surged afterward. Sweeney has since continued her partnership with the brand, returning for a follow up jean shorts campaign the next year.
Shane Gillis
Shane Gillis was fired from Saturday Night Live in 2019 just days after being announced as a new cast member, before ever appearing on air. A resurfaced podcast clip showed him using a racial slur.
Gillis built a comedy career anyway, releasing two Netflix specials and co creating his own popular television show called Tires. He eventually hosted Saturday Night Live twice, the show that had originally fired him before.
Chrissy Teigen
Chrissy Teigen faced backlash in 2021 after old cruel tweets resurfaced showing her cyberbullying teenager Courtney Stodden and designer Michael Costello years earlier. Some brand partnerships briefly paused, and public opinion turned sharply against her.
Teigen issued a lengthy public apology and largely stepped back from social media for a while afterward. She has since returned to television projects, cookbooks, and brand deals, including a recent high profile guest appearance.
Bill Murray
Bill Murray faced a misconduct complaint in 2022 that halted production on the film Being Mortal entirely, reportedly involving an unwanted kiss given through a face mask. The film was ultimately shelved and never finished.
Murray reportedly settled privately with his accuser and continued working steadily afterward with longtime collaborator Wes Anderson and other directors. His 2024 film The Friend earned some of his best reviews in years from critics.
Will Smith
Will Smith slapped comedian Chris Rock on stage at the 2022 Oscars over a joke about his wife’s shaved head, then later won Best Actor that same night. The Academy banned him for a decade.
His next film Emancipation underperformed badly at the box office following the incident and earned no major nominations. Smith later rebounded commercially with Bad Boys Ride or Die, which grossed over four hundred million worldwide.
Justin Timberlake’s DWI Case Did Not Stop His Tour
On June 18, 2024, Justin Timberlake was arrested in Sag Harbor, New York, after police said he ran a stop sign and failed to stay in his lane. He was originally charged with driving while intoxicated and reportedly refused a breathalyzer test.
In September 2024, Timberlake pleaded guilty to the lesser charge of driving while ability impaired. He was fined $500, had his license suspended, was ordered to complete 25 to 40 hours of community service, and was required to make a public safety announcement. Despite the case unfolding during his Forget Tomorrow World Tour, he continued performing and remained professionally active.
Featured Image: Photo by Moody College of Communication on Wikimedia Commons
