10 Celebs Who Ruined Their Careers in 2023

Top 10 Celebs Who Ruined Their Careers in 2023

Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we’re looking at celebs whose careers and public images took turns for the worst in 2023. Although a couple of these names might rebound somewhere down the line, it’s hard to imagine others ever coming back.

#10: Jada Pinkett Smith

The 2022 Oscars led to numerous hot takes concerning Will Smith and Chris Rock, but what about Jada? While some sympathized with the Smith family matriarch, she only seemed to lose support with her 2023 memoir, “Worthy.” Although not without a few revelations that painted Pinkett Smith in an empathetic light, many found the book to be TMI overload, especially concerning her marriage. It turns out that the couple separated in 2016, and Pinkett Smith suggested that the slap brought them closer. Rather than present a relatable, nuanced portrayal of herself, Pinkett Smith fed into what a lot of tabloids and talk shows have been saying for a while. How can we keep Jada’s name out of our mouths if she just keeps supplying fuel?

#9: David Choe

Although his career has spanned music, art, and journalism, David Choe rose to mainstream attention with the hit Netflix miniseries, “Beef.” Choe made a strong impression as Isaac, who has trouble staying out of jail. Akin to his aggressive character, Choe spent multiple months in a Japanese prison after attacking a security guard. He’s also clashed with the law in California, but it was a 2014 podcast that came back to haunt the actor. Choe recalled assaulting a masseuse, making light of the situation. While Choe later claimed that the podcast was fictional, critics found it distasteful that he’d casually joke about such a thing. Fact or fiction, what seemed like a breakout year for Choe fell to pieces in less than a month.

#8: Till Lindemann

Lead singer of the German band Rammstein, Till Lindemann found himself at the center of grooming allegations in June 2023. A Northern Ireland woman named Shelby Lynn claimed that she was given an alcoholic drink and told to meet Lindemann during an intermission. According to Lynn, she told Lindemann upfront that she wouldn’t have sex with him. Supposedly, the singer angrily left, but Lynn suspected that her drink had been spiked. While Lynn says she wasn’t assaulted, her memory of the night is “blurry.” Several more women came forward, including an anonymous one who claimed to be underage when she entered a relationship with Lindemann. The case was dropped due to limited evidence, but Lindemann’s scandal has cast a cloud over Rammstein’s approaching 30th anniversary.

#7: Lizzo

We must admit, the public turning on Lizzo wasn’t on our bingo sheet for 2023. Between winning four Grammys and inspiring “Big Grrrls” everywhere, Lizzo seemed unstoppable. The singer’s reputation for championing body positivity was called into question when three former backup dancers took out a lawsuit. In addition to weight shaming, Lizzo was accused of discrimination, creating hostile working conditions, and various forms of harassment, most notably one involving bananas. Several others would speak out against Lizzo with another lawsuit following. Lizzo denies the allegations, calling them “sensationalized stories” and “outrageous.” We guess only time will tell if these are all just rumors or if the truth hurts. Either way, this scandal shall be set to the tune of the world’s smallest jazz flute.

#6: Tucker Carlson

To say that this conservative personality has a habit of twisting the truth to push an agenda would be the understatement of the century. With “Tucker Carlson Tonight” being a ratings juggernaut, it appeared there’d be no end to Carlson’s rants and confused frowns. Then in April 2023, Fox News and Carlson parted ways. While neither gave a concrete explanation, it’s probably not a coincidence that Tucker was tied to the Dominion Voting Systems defamation suit, which resulted in Fox paying $787.5 million. Accusations of allowing an antisemitic and misogynist workplace were even more damning. Although Carlson isn’t one to go quietly, he’ll likely never have a more prominent platform to mascarade conspiracy theories as facts… unless Trump chooses him as his running mate.

#5: Justin Roiland

For almost a decade, it was impossible to imagine “Rick and Morty” without co-creator Justin Roiland. Fans were surprised to learn in 2023 that beyond voice acting, Roiland hadn’t been heavily involved in the production since Season 2. They were even more shocked to learn that Roiland was facing domestic violence charges. Not long after this became public knowledge in January, Adult Swim severed ties with Roiland. 20th Television Animation also booted him off “Solar Opposites” and “Koala Man.” A lack of evidence led to the case’s dismissal in March, but Roiland has since faced more allegations while former colleagues like Dan Harmon have denounced him. Roiland’s shows have taken different approaches to recasting, but it turns out he wasn’t as essential as people assumed.

#4: Colleen Ballinger

Even if you’ve never watched a Miranda Sings video, you’ve certainly come across a thumbnail of Colleen Ballinger wearing too much red lipstick. Outside of YouTube, Ballinger has popped across TV, Broadway, and animated movies. Her reputation was mostly unscathed other than a 2020 scandal when YouTuber Adam McIntyre accused her of inappropriate behavior when he was younger. The controversy fizzled until June 2023 after another YouTuber, Kodee Tyler Dahl, backed up McIntyre’s accusations. In addition to grooming, Ballinger has been accused of racial insensitivity. How did she respond? Ballinger apologized… while playing a ukulele… without really apologizing! More allegations and criticisms followed with Ballinger cancelling her live shows for the rest of the year. Telling “haters” to back off won’t resolve this career blow.

#3: Jonathan Majors

2023 seemed poised to be the year of Jonathan Majors. Kang the Conqueror was set to make his big-screen MCU debut, Majors was cast as the antagonist in “Creed III,” and he even garnered awards buzz for his performance in the Sundance hit “Magazine Dreams.” The latter film was removed from Searchlight Pictures’ release schedule due in part to the assault accusations against Majors. In March, Majors was arrested was allegedly beating a woman in New York. Majors’ accuser, ex-girlfriend Grace Jabbari, was later arrested for suspicion of assault and criminal mischief. However, Jabbari wasn’t prosecuted while Majors faced more accusations from several others. Losing talent representation, Majors was recast in “The Man in My Basement” and Marvel is supposedly rethinking their plans for Kang.

#2: Russell Brand

Following some pretty funny work in Judd Apatow productions, Russell Brand’s “Look At Me, I’m English” schtick started to get on people’s nerves. His politics and promotion of harmful conspiracy theories only alienated more viewers. The worst offense came in September 2023 when it was reported that five women had accused Brand of physical and emotional abuse. The alleged altercations occurred between 2006 and 2013 with one woman being underage at the time. Brand denies these claims, but more accusations soon arose while multiple investigations were launched. Although he hasn’t been banned from YouTube, the platform did suspend Brand’s ability to monetize videos. His comedy tour was also postponed indefinitely. We haven’t seen a star fall like this since Aldous Snow released “African Child.”

#1: Danny Masterson

We figured that Danny Masterson had peaked with Steven Hyde. Still, it appeared he’d have a respectable post-“That ‘70s Show” career while living on residual goodwill from his breakout role. That all changed in 2017 when multiple assault allegations changed our perception of Steven Hyde to Mr. Hyde. Masterson’s life has been a downhill spiral ever since, getting fired from Netflix’s “The Ranch” and dropped from United Talent Agency. Although friends like Ashton Kutcher and Mila Kunis wrote character letters, any hope that Masterson’s reputation could be salvaged officially deteriorated when he was found guilty in May 2023. Four months later, Masterson was sentenced to 30 years to life. Masterson won’t be eligible for parole until 2048, almost 50 years after Steven Hyde’s debut.

Which fall from grace shocked you the most in 2023? Let us know in the comments.