Top 10 Times Celebs Clapped Back at the Press
#10: Uzo Aduba, Natasha Lyonne & Samira Wiley
Top 10 Times Celebs Clapped Back on Social Media
Some of the “Orange Is the New Black” cast was left shocked and confused following a barrage of misogynistic questions from Brazilian comedian and journalist Rafael Cortez. Aduba uncomfortably laughs off his inappropriateness but draws the line when he offers her a look at his muscles. Meanwhile, her co-stars are left visibly stunned by his sexist questions, prompting Lyonne to call him out. He either doesn't notice or chooses to ignore their obvious discomfort, compelling the actress to double down on her retorts. At one point, she looks at someone off-camera in utter disbelief. Perhaps she was hoping they'd confirm that this had all just been one giant setup. Don't mess with the "OITNB" cast, they’re not going to take it!
#9: Ashton Kutcher & Mila Kunis
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By now, we've probably all heard the tale of this couple's somewhat unconventional love story. And while they're generally quite private, they give us the occasional insight into their personal lives. Although apparently, that wasn't enough for one tabloid who broke the news to the couple that their relationship was over, and it's pretty dramatic. Kunis and Kutcher had plenty of fun taking the mickey out of the magazine's bogus claims in a video he uploaded to Instagram. The caption made the whole thing even funnier. On another occasion, Kunis had a fierce response to a Russian-speaking journalist who questioned the credentials of her "Friends with Benefits" co-star, Justin Timberlake. Needless to say, this duo aren’t afraid to clap back.
#8: Joan Rivers
The late icon Joan Rivers was famously never one to hold back, no matter who might get burnt. In this infamous “CNN Newsroom” interview, Rivers expected to plug her latest book “Diary of a Mad Diva,” But she was seemingly taken aback by Fredricka Whitfield’s interest in her personal life and repeated comments about her savage sense of humor. Rivers found her interviewer quite antagonistic and didn’t shy away from saying as much with her signature sharp tongue. She called out the anchor over her hypocrisy over animal welfare and told her that she wasn’t suited to interview a comedian. After she stormed off, Rivers, of course, got the last word in.
#7: Priyanka Chopra Jonas
In 2021, The Chopra-Jonases were tasked with announcing that year’s Academy Award nominations. In response, Australian showbiz reporter, Peter Ford, took to Twitter to question if they were the right people for the job. Chopra Jonas fired back with a sassy tweet showing off her vast film credits and asking Ford what he considers “qualifies someone” for the role. After such an ill-informed remark, some might have questioned the reporter’s qualification to be an entertainment writer. However, the highly accomplished star’s response was simple, straight to the point, and incredibly cutting. Don’t come for Chopra Jonas, especially if you haven’t done your research.
#6: Rebel Wilson
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In mid-2022, Rebel Wilson was forced to come out publicly after Australian publication the Sydney Morning Herald reportedly threatened to expose her relationship with girlfriend Ramona Agruma. Journalist Andrew Hornery gave her limited time to respond and later expressed his annoyance that she'd stolen his scoop in a since-deleted editorial – though he eventually backtracked. The actress said the journalist's "grubby" behavior forced her and her partner into a hurried decision to make their relationship public. Months later, she took another jab at the publication during an award ceremony in Australia. She joked that she had more personal news to share before they tried to jump the gun again. Trust Wilson to inject some comedy into the deeply unsettling situation.
#5: Daniel Kaluuya
The 2017 psychological horror thriller “Get Out” was one of the most critically acclaimed movies of the decade, in no small part due to its powerful and ever-relevant message. It was also a huge box office hit and raked in numerous award nominations, including four Oscar ones, winning Best Original Screenplay. While on the red carpet, a reporter suggested to Kaluuya, who plays Chris Washington, that the film was so well-received because it “ticks a lot of boxes” and “raises important themes.” The actor clapped back, saying, "They're not boxes though, articulating a black experience is not a box. We're articulating our truth. We're human beings.". His response was widely applauded across social media.
#4: Robert Downey Jr.
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Channel 4 reporter Krishnan Guru-Murthy is known for his probing interview style, which has got him into hot water on several occasions. You might remember his heated conversation with film director Quentin Tarantino. Then, there was the time that Guru-Murthy hounded MCU star Robert Downey Jr. over his history with substance use disorder and complicated relationship with his dad, prompting the actor to end the interview abruptly. Downey Jr. was there to discuss “Avengers: Age of Ultron” and seemed rather blindsided by these deeply personal questions. He later blasted the Channel 4 journalist while talking to Howard Stern, saying, “I just wish I’d left sooner.”
#3: Serena Williams
In August 2022, the tennis icon announced that she would be retiring. Not long after, she gave an incredible performance at the US Open, taking “going out with a bang” to a whole new level. It was an event that would go down in sports history, so it was a little baffling when one reporter asked her if she was “surprised” by how well she did. Her response was nothing short of perfection. The tennis champion is no stranger to shutting down reporters. And when she does, it’s always with the utmost grace, class, and the perfect edge of well-deserved sassiness. Serena Williams knows her value, and don’t you forget it! Game set to Ms. Williams!
#2: Tom Hardy
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Tom Hardy has no time for sexist questions. For instance, during a press conference at the Cannes Film Festival, the actor swiftly dismissed a reporter who asked if he took issue with the number of women in “Mad Max: Fury Road.” He also has no time for members of the press who ask him invasively personal questions, as one reporter discovered at the “Legend” movie press conference. The actor didn’t respond rudely – he was just very candid in his disappointment and quickly put the reporter back in his place. He later explained that he feels no need to discuss his personal life with people he doesn’t know, and found the question “inelegant” and “rude.” Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions. Jesse Eisenberg Things Got Frosty Fast & Just Kept Getting Icier Blake Lively When Someone’s Talking About an Important Cause, Maybe It Isn’t the Time to Bring Up Clothes Matt Damon Don’t Question This Actor’s Commitment to His Art Rihanna The Queen of Clapbacks Strikes Again, & We’re Here for It Jerry Seinfeld Make Sure You Do Your Homework Before Interviewing This Star
#1: Jennifer Aniston
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This actress has been in the limelight for decades and has experienced her fair share of media scrutiny. In 2016, after the umpteenth tabloid questioning if she was pregnant, she’d had enough and decided to fire back through an op-ed for the Huffington Post. In it, she calls out the press for their objectification of women, how they pore over the slightest weight change, and this crazy notion that childless women are somehow “incomplete.” She also pleaded with the media to consider the message they were giving their impressionable consumers. In 2022, Aniston revealed her own fertility struggles, making the moral of the op-ed hit even harder.
