Top 10 Cringiest Celebrity Interview Walkouts

Script written by Sadie Perkins.

Top 10 Cringiest Celebrity Interview Walkouts

When the going gets awkward, sometimes it’s best to just - leave. Welcome to WatchMojo.com, and today we’re counting down our picks for the Top 10 Cringiest Walkouts During Interviews.

For this list, the celebrity subjects must have actually walked out of the interview; not simply threatened to leave or become irritated and combative.

#10: Julian Assange
CNN (2010)

Getting an opportunity to speak to the man who probably knows more than most isn’t an opportunity to be squandered - but sadly, that’s what CNN ended up doing. During a 2010 interview, the journalist repeatedly asked Assange questions about his personal life, prompting him to threaten to walk if the questions didn’t stop. The interview was intended to focus on the importance of WikiLeaks, but quickly turned to inquiries regarding Assange’s past lawsuits. After repeated warnings that he would leave if the topic of conversation continued, Assange stayed true to his word and walked out.

#9: Sarah, Duchess of York
“60 Minutes” (2011)

Nobody likes being confronted with video evidence of them committing a crime - especially royalty. In an interview with the Australian version of “60 Minutes,” the Duchess didn’t seem to want to be there whatsoever. Snappy replies, eye rolling, and the demand that the camera crew delete certain segments of the recording made for an interview that was wild from start to finish. The final straw came when she was shown footage of her accepting a bribe for offering insider access to members of the royal family. With one more huff, the Duchess was out.

#8: Paris Hilton
ABC News (2011)

Sometimes, celebrities just don’t want to give up the spotlight. In the case of Paris Hilton, even the suggestion that her fame had run its course hit a sore spot for the notorious diva. As this ABC News interview went on and she was questioned if she felt threatened by the Kardashians’ newfound fame, Hilton became more and more… Hilton. Sarcastic laughter and clipped, short replies hinted that the TV personality had just about had it with her time in the interview chair. When the reporter asked, “do you want to wrap up?,” Paris spared him an answer and simply got up and left.

#7: Bee Gees
“Clive Anderson Talks Back” (1997)

Before you bring a world-famous band onto your show, it’s probably best to brush up on at least a few of their songs. When “Stayin’ Alive” superstars appeared on Clive Anderson’s talk show in 1996, things were tense from the beginning. Singer Barry Gibb seemed to become especially annoyed with Anderson after the host mentioned he’d forgotten one of their hits from the past, and the pop star laughed before simply excusing himself and walking off stage. With a painfully awkward half apology, the rest of the band slowly followed, leaving the stunned host all alone. Was it something he said…?

#6: Donald Trump
CBS This Morning (2017)

Since the beginning of his election campaign, there’s been friction between the President and the press – to put it mildly – and this botched interview with CBS was no exception. It began smoothly, things went south fast when the infamous validity behind the Obama wiretapping accusations were brought up. Apparently this was a touchy subject for President Trump, as only moments after the questioning began, he waved the reporter away and announced that the interview was over. To be quite honest, nobody was all that surprised.

#5: Robert Pattinson
On Air with Ryan Seacrest (2008-)

Ryan Seacrest is no stranger to awkward moments, but this red carpet weird-a-thon with the “Twilight” star still makes us cringe. Chatting it up like old friends, the interview was going well until the radio host decided to poke at a taboo topic - Robert’s relationship with co-star Kristen Stewart. After an awkward pause, Pattinson’s PR manager decided that enough was enough and spirited the teen heartthrob away, with Seacrest sitting shunned. Too bad it didn’t keep the Robsten drama from blowing up all over the tabloids.

#4: Naomi Campbell
ABC News (2010)

Diamonds, drama, cameras being punched - this sounds like an episode of “Real Housewives.” Backstage during Campbell’s charity fashion show for Haiti, ABC reporters decided to question the supermodel about how she allegedly received a large “blood” diamond from ex-Liberian president Charles Taylor. Apparently she wasn’t in the mood to discuss her jewelry, as she quickly cut the reporter off and said that she would not be discussing any diamond during the interview. Shortly afterwards, she stormed away, knocking a camera out of a producer's hand as she made a hasty exit.

#3: Christine O’Donnell
“Piers Morgan Live” (2011)

When it comes to this notoriously sassy British TV personality, he has no issue putting his guests in the spotlight, whether it’s Kelsey Grammer or once-Republican Senate candidate Christine O’Donnell. Known for being just a tad eccentric, O’Donnell didn’t disappoint with her reaction to Morgan’s questions regarding her views on gay marriage. At first dodging the question and then becoming angry at Morgan for his “rudeness,” the Senate hopeful announced that she’d given up another interview for this slot and that she was being pulled away, leaving us all in awkward silence.

#2: Robert Downey Jr.
“Channel 4 News” (2015)

Sometimes, we just want to forget about our bad days. When “Iron Man” star Robert Downey Jr. sat down to promote the latest “Avengers” movie, we’re guessing he wasn’t expecting to be asked about his political opinions, his relationship with his dad, or his past experiences with drugs and alcohol. After testily answering a few of the interviewer's questions, Downey vainly tried to steer the topic back to the movie before deciding that it was getting “a little Diane Sawyer,” waving goodbye, and walking out. We’re just glad he didn’t bring out his blasters.

Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.
- Nicolas Sarkozy
“60 Minutes” (2007)

- Jordan Belfort
“60 Minutes” (2014)

- Joan Rivers
CNN (2014)

#1: Whoopi Goldberg & Joy Behar
“The View” (2010-)

You know it’s bad when the hosts decide that they’ve had enough. Pit legendary Whoopi Goldberg against then-Fox News host Bill O’Reilly, and the gloves are bound to come off. A heated debate regarding the construction of mosques after 9/11 sparked an argument between the hosts that escalated quickly. After O'Reilly remarked, “Muslims killed us on 9/11,” both Behar and Goldberg decided they’d had enough and walked off. After a short cool down and an apology from O’Reilly, they returned, but we’ll never forget the stunned silence as the two TV titans figuratively left the building.