Top 10 Awkward Times Celebs Didn't Recognize Other Celebs
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Script written by Nicholas Miller
They did not have to go that far. Ouch! Welcome to WatchMojo, and today, we’re counting down our picks for the Top 10 Times Celebs Didn’t Recognize Other celebs.
We’ll be looking at times celebrities, either wittingly or unknowingly, shaded other celebrities by not recognizing them.
During an appearance on “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” while promoting his book of paintings, former U.S. president George W. Bush was asked about a range of things, including his knowledge on pop culture, which apparently is little to none. He did at least know who Beyoncé was, but unfortunately Jay-Z wasn’t so lucky, because Dubya admitted to not knowing who the former Destiny’s Child singer was married to. If Jay-Z was brought up by name, would the former president have known about the legendary Brooklyn rapper? Kimmel didn’t ask, so we’ll likely never know.
During a red carpet interview ahead of the 2017 SAG awards, actor Rami Malek spoke about his relative ignorance of social media and pop culture, using an example that absolutely no one could ever relate to. Not only was Rami lucky enough to be in Paris dancing, but he happened to be dancing with world famous model Bella Hadid without even knowing who she was. Maybe that was a welcome surprise to Bella, but if Rami wanted to try and come off as down to Earth in this interview, that was not quite the right way to go about it.
During an interview with journalist Dan Rather, former Genesis frontman and music legend Phil Collins cleared the air about what happened to his collaboration with Adele after rumors swirled about the two denying each other. During the interview, Collins slyly admitted he’d never heard of Adele before she contacted him, saying he didn’t pay much attention to pop culture at the time. Even if that were true, we can’t help but feel Collins didn’t have to reveal that little piece of information unless he wanted to, giving new life to this subtle English pop music rivalry.
During an appearance on “Good Morning America,” reality star Mama June was approached by Miley Cyrus to hug and take a photo. The photo went off without a hitch, but it turns out that Mama June had no idea she was taking a picture with the pop star, and just thought she was a normal fan. In a later appearance on “The Wendy Williams Show,” the star revealed that she soon realized it was Miley, but in all the chaos didn’t realize that it was her, despite Miley’s status as one of the reality show’s most prominent fans... and being Miley Cyrus.
This hilariously awkward interaction occurred during a yacht party thrown by the Daily Mail. Seated alongside Martha Stewart was close friend of Kim Kardashian, Jonathan Cheban. Though the pair’s interaction wasn’t recorded, the evidence comes via tweet as Martha Stewart sent out an awkward head shot of the reality star along with asking the important question: “do you know this guy?? He says he is well known.” Martha followed this up with another tweet, featuring a better photo of Jonathan and a clarification that she’s now somewhat aware of who he is. Thanks for the update, Martha!
We’re not sure who this one is more embarrassing for: Shawn Mendes or Justin Bieber. We’ll never know if the Biebs was purposely trying to shade his younger counterpart, or if he genuinely wasn’t aware of the up-and-coming star, but Bieber holds a poker face while proclaiming he’s never heard of the Stitches singer. The interviewer doesn’t quite know how to react, as he’s not sure if Justin is serious or not. Bieber wraps up the question by saying, “I don’t know him, but, uh, I’ll check him out. For sure.” We’re sure you will, Justin.
When it comes to celebrities who are legends at throwing shade, you can’t have a conversation without including Britney Spears. From her awkward on-stage interaction with Colton Haynes to the time she forgot about or lied about meeting Taylor Swift. You know? Taylor Swift? T-Swizzle? She’s only one of the most famous pop stars on the planet. Britney, though, can’t vouch for her, as she claims the two had never crossed paths, despite photographic evidence on the contrary. It appears Spears isn’t a Swifty, or at the very least, Taylor didn’t make much of an impact on the pop goddess.
Thankfully, Britney Spears got a small taste of her own shady medicine after a chance encounter with “Married… With Family” and “Modern Family” patriarch Ed O’Neill at an airport. According to reports, Spears was a fan of the actor and approached him for a picture, to which he kindly obliged. Through this picture, it’s quite clear that O’Neill has absolutely no clue he’s taking a picture with someone who is even more famous than he is! To be fair to Ed O’Neill, celebrities at airports are often treated like animals on a safari, so it's understandable he might zone out.
No one celebrity is as synonymous with shade-throwing as Mariah Carey. Her iconic jab at J. Lo became a meme and her rebuff of Demi Lovato made some headlines, but it’s her seemingly genuine denial of any knowledge about Ariana Grande that we really need to look at. Whether it’s intentional shade due to Mariah’s “influence” on Ariana’s image, or if Carey just truly doesn’t know who she is, this moment on Andy Cohen’s “Watch What Happens Live” is one for the ages. No matter who you are, you have got to appreciate Mariah Carey’s total committment to being a stone cold diva.
One of the most awkward red carpet encounters was captured on camera at a 2017 Kennedy Center benefit. The incident featured an interview with Jerry Seinfeld that was interrupted by pop star Kesha, who was clearly a fan of the comedian. Kesha asked Seinfeld for a hug, but Jerry, not recognizing or not caring about the pop star, awkwardly refused the hug. The aftermath is cringe-inducing, as the interviews try to explain who Kesha to him. The whole thing would have been avoided if Seinfeld had just given the woman a hug, but instead we got this delightfully uncomfortable moment.
Top 10 Celebs Who Didn't Recognize Other Celebs
They did not have to go that far. Ouch! Welcome to WatchMojo, and today, we’re counting down our picks for the Top 10 Times Celebs Didn’t Recognize Other celebs.
We’ll be looking at times celebrities, either wittingly or unknowingly, shaded other celebrities by not recognizing them.
#10: George W. Bush Doesn't Know Who Beyonce’s Husband Is
During an appearance on “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” while promoting his book of paintings, former U.S. president George W. Bush was asked about a range of things, including his knowledge on pop culture, which apparently is little to none. He did at least know who Beyoncé was, but unfortunately Jay-Z wasn’t so lucky, because Dubya admitted to not knowing who the former Destiny’s Child singer was married to. If Jay-Z was brought up by name, would the former president have known about the legendary Brooklyn rapper? Kimmel didn’t ask, so we’ll likely never know.
#9: Rami Malek Dances with ‘Random Stranger’ Bella Hadid
During a red carpet interview ahead of the 2017 SAG awards, actor Rami Malek spoke about his relative ignorance of social media and pop culture, using an example that absolutely no one could ever relate to. Not only was Rami lucky enough to be in Paris dancing, but he happened to be dancing with world famous model Bella Hadid without even knowing who she was. Maybe that was a welcome surprise to Bella, but if Rami wanted to try and come off as down to Earth in this interview, that was not quite the right way to go about it.
#8: Phil Collins Wasn’t Aware of Adele
During an interview with journalist Dan Rather, former Genesis frontman and music legend Phil Collins cleared the air about what happened to his collaboration with Adele after rumors swirled about the two denying each other. During the interview, Collins slyly admitted he’d never heard of Adele before she contacted him, saying he didn’t pay much attention to pop culture at the time. Even if that were true, we can’t help but feel Collins didn’t have to reveal that little piece of information unless he wanted to, giving new life to this subtle English pop music rivalry.
#7: Mama June Didn't Know Miley Cyrus Hugged Her
During an appearance on “Good Morning America,” reality star Mama June was approached by Miley Cyrus to hug and take a photo. The photo went off without a hitch, but it turns out that Mama June had no idea she was taking a picture with the pop star, and just thought she was a normal fan. In a later appearance on “The Wendy Williams Show,” the star revealed that she soon realized it was Miley, but in all the chaos didn’t realize that it was her, despite Miley’s status as one of the reality show’s most prominent fans... and being Miley Cyrus.
#6: Martha Stewart Meets Jonathan Cheban
This hilariously awkward interaction occurred during a yacht party thrown by the Daily Mail. Seated alongside Martha Stewart was close friend of Kim Kardashian, Jonathan Cheban. Though the pair’s interaction wasn’t recorded, the evidence comes via tweet as Martha Stewart sent out an awkward head shot of the reality star along with asking the important question: “do you know this guy?? He says he is well known.” Martha followed this up with another tweet, featuring a better photo of Jonathan and a clarification that she’s now somewhat aware of who he is. Thanks for the update, Martha!
#5: Justin Bieber's Radio Embarrassment
We’re not sure who this one is more embarrassing for: Shawn Mendes or Justin Bieber. We’ll never know if the Biebs was purposely trying to shade his younger counterpart, or if he genuinely wasn’t aware of the up-and-coming star, but Bieber holds a poker face while proclaiming he’s never heard of the Stitches singer. The interviewer doesn’t quite know how to react, as he’s not sure if Justin is serious or not. Bieber wraps up the question by saying, “I don’t know him, but, uh, I’ll check him out. For sure.” We’re sure you will, Justin.
#4: Britney Spears Shades Taylor Swift
When it comes to celebrities who are legends at throwing shade, you can’t have a conversation without including Britney Spears. From her awkward on-stage interaction with Colton Haynes to the time she forgot about or lied about meeting Taylor Swift. You know? Taylor Swift? T-Swizzle? She’s only one of the most famous pop stars on the planet. Britney, though, can’t vouch for her, as she claims the two had never crossed paths, despite photographic evidence on the contrary. It appears Spears isn’t a Swifty, or at the very least, Taylor didn’t make much of an impact on the pop goddess.
#3: Ed O'Neill Didn't Recognize Britney Spears
Thankfully, Britney Spears got a small taste of her own shady medicine after a chance encounter with “Married… With Family” and “Modern Family” patriarch Ed O’Neill at an airport. According to reports, Spears was a fan of the actor and approached him for a picture, to which he kindly obliged. Through this picture, it’s quite clear that O’Neill has absolutely no clue he’s taking a picture with someone who is even more famous than he is! To be fair to Ed O’Neill, celebrities at airports are often treated like animals on a safari, so it's understandable he might zone out.
#2: Mariah Carey Stone Cold Denies Knowing Who Ariana Grande Is
No one celebrity is as synonymous with shade-throwing as Mariah Carey. Her iconic jab at J. Lo became a meme and her rebuff of Demi Lovato made some headlines, but it’s her seemingly genuine denial of any knowledge about Ariana Grande that we really need to look at. Whether it’s intentional shade due to Mariah’s “influence” on Ariana’s image, or if Carey just truly doesn’t know who she is, this moment on Andy Cohen’s “Watch What Happens Live” is one for the ages. No matter who you are, you have got to appreciate Mariah Carey’s total committment to being a stone cold diva.
#1: Jerry Seinfeld Refused Kesha's Hug
One of the most awkward red carpet encounters was captured on camera at a 2017 Kennedy Center benefit. The incident featured an interview with Jerry Seinfeld that was interrupted by pop star Kesha, who was clearly a fan of the comedian. Kesha asked Seinfeld for a hug, but Jerry, not recognizing or not caring about the pop star, awkwardly refused the hug. The aftermath is cringe-inducing, as the interviews try to explain who Kesha to him. The whole thing would have been avoided if Seinfeld had just given the woman a hug, but instead we got this delightfully uncomfortable moment.
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