As the world weathers this crisis together and people are reaching out to comfort, inform, and support each other, many celebrities are failing to strike an empathic chord with their followers. Plenty of publications are even claiming that their responses to coronavirus will be the demise of celebrity culture, as many of the rich and famous are making it difficult to idolize them.
Eric Clapton has made his controversial thoughts clear during the pandemic, expressing his anti-lockdown and anti-vaccine sentiments several times. Now, Rolling Stone reveals he has also put his money where his mouth is. Jam for Freedom is a group of UK musicians that plays free shows in public, spreading their anti-lockdown sentiments and singing songs with lyrics like “You can stick your poison vaccine up your arse, » and occasionally getting in trouble with the police. Their car, used to transport gear, was in an accident, so they set up a GoFundMe page to pay for transportation, gas, and legal fees. They certainly weren’t expecting a £1,000 (US$1,362) donation from Eric Clapton.
Clapton sent them a message complimenting their work, Jam for Freedom founder Caleb McLaughlin said, and on the phone the rock star reportedly offered his family’s VW Transporter van as a temporary replacement for the group’s vehicle. He also apparently gave them money to buy a new van, ensuring that the group will be able to continue spewing their message across the UK. Because that’s the best place money can go in a time like this, right?
And that’s just the tip of the iceberg. From trying to share « relatable » quarantine content from the comfort of their mansions, to making ridiculous claims about the virus, click through to see the most widely slammed things celebrities have said or done regarding this pandemic.
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Evander Kane
The controversial NHL player Evander Kane was caught up in another scandal when he was accused of using a fake Covid-19 vaccine card, which is not only against the rules of the NHL, it’s also illegal. The sporting organization has specific restrictions in place for players who are not fully vaccinated, including limiting their movements and visitors on road trips. Teams are also allowed to suspend players who are unable to play for covid-19 related reasons. The majority of NHL players have already been vaccinated and aren’t subject to these rules, unlike Kane. He has been separated from the team while the league investigates the claims.
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Nicki Minaj
Nicki Minaj didn’t show up for the 2021 Met Gala because « they want you to get vaccinated for the Met. if I get vaccinated it won’t for the Met. It’ll be once I feel I’ve done enough research. I’m working on that now. » That comment might’ve been fair enough, but then she shared an anecdote that her cousin told her about a friend who got the vaccine and « became impotent. » This has all led to claims she is scaring her fan base off getting vaccinated, and spreading misinformation about the vaccine itself.
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Carrie Underwood’s Twitter controversy
Carrie Underwood came under fire after a sharp-eyed fan noticed she liked a tweet from a far-right anti-masker. Matt Walsh is an extreme and outspoken individual who claims that obliging children to wear masks is equal to child abuse. Underwood liked a tweet where he had posted a video sharing these views.
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Chet Hanks’ tone-deaf comments
Chet Hanks, son of Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson, stirred up controversy online when he posted a video in which he first calmly states the logical reasons why we should be getting vaccinated. « PSYCH, b—h! » he suddenly shouted. « If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. I never had COVID. Ya ain’t sticking me with that motherf—king needle. » He then falsely claimed that COVID-19 is « the motherf—king flu, » adding, « Get over it, okay? If you’re sick, stay inside. Okay, why we working around y’all? If you’re in danger, stay your a— inside. I’m tired of wearing a motherf—king mask. » Many were quick to point out that more than 617,000 Americans have died after contracting the coronavirus, and many others asked if his parents, who famously had COVID-19, approved of this message.
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The Offspring’s Pete Parada gets kicked out
The Offspring, a band known for their hits like ‘The Kids Aren’t Alright’ and ‘Gone Away,’ have ousted their drummer Pete Parada after he refused to get the the COVID vaccine, reportedly due to his history with Guillain-Barré Syndrome. According to Variety, he’s being replaced on tour and he’s been told not to come to the studio, and Parada himself has made comments about “find(ing) a new way forward,” which suggest he may not return. He explained on Instagram that he’s had COVID before and believes he has antibodies, and he supports those against the vaccine. « I have no negative feelings towards my band, » he wrote. « They’re doing what they believe is best for them, while I am doing the same. » His further comments about « coercion » by « those with the most power » to get people to take the vaccine have stirred some controversy.
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Eric Clapton pumps the brakes
UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced that proof of vaccination will be required for customers to enter nightclubs and music venues. Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Eric Clapton was quick to respond, stating that he refuses to play concerts under these conditions: “I wish to say that I will not perform on any stage where there is a discriminated audience present. Unless there is provision made for all people to attend, I reserve the right to cancel the show.” Clapton has previously expressed anti-lockdown and anti-vaccine sentiments that caused some controversy.
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Joe Rogan on vaccines
Joe Rogan hosts the number one podcast on Spotify, with each episode reaching millions of listeners. In an April episode, he made controversial comments about the coronavirus vaccine, saying he didn’t think that young healthy people needed to be vaccinated. Health experts were quick to criticize his false theory and he later apologized, calling himself a moron and clarifying that he’s not an anti-vaxxer.
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Bruce Willis’ pharmacy fit
Bruce Willis was asked to leave a pharmacy after « refusing » to wear a mask, a source told Page Six. The actor reportedly had a bandana around his neck that he could have easily lifted, but instead he chose to the leave the Rite Aid. What’s more, the pharmacy is in Los Angeles—the epicenter of the coronavirus crisis in California.
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Kim Kardashian and co.
Dr. Anthony Fauci revealed that Kim K organized a private Zoom call with him and 36 other A-listers in the early days of the pandemic. According to CNN, the virtual meeting with the US infectious diseases expert also included stars like Gwyneth Paltrow, Ashton Kutcher, Mila Kunis, Orlando Bloom, and Katy Perry. Fauci felt these stars could reach many more people than he could with the accurate information, and yet, many Twitter users have pointed out, Kim K has been a repeat offender during the pandemic.
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Kim Kardashian’s birthday party
After posting her birthday photos, of her friends and family on a private island amid the pandemic, Twitter had a field day mocking Kim’s caption, which read: “After 2 weeks of multiple health screens and asking everyone to quarantine, I surprised my closest inner circle with a trip to a private island where we could pretend things were normal just for a brief moment in time,” she shared, adding a description of all the fun things they did and acknowledging that « this is something that is so far out of reach right now, so in moments like these, I am humbly reminded of how privileged my life is. » Twitter users mocked her tone-deaf concept of « normal. »
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Alyssa Milano’s questionable masks
On May 23, Alyssa Milano posted a photo of her family wearing masks with the caption, « Masks keep people safe and healthy. Show me yours! Ready? Go! #WearAMask, » which would have been fine if her mask didn’t seem to be crocheted and sporting many, many holes. Naturally, Twitter had a lot of fun criticizing her, but the actress eventually wrote back, “A–holes, mask has a carbon filter in it. So, yes, it might be crochet but totally safe. » Touché!
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Bryan Adams’ insensitive rant
On May 11, the Canadian singer posted a video of himself singing his hit ‘Cuts Like a Knife,’ which was all fine until he went on an angry rant after his concerts were canceled due to the pandemic. « Thanks to some f—ing bat eating, wet market animal selling, virus making greedy bast–rds, the whole world is now on hold, not to mention the thousands that have suffered or died from this virus, » he wrote.
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Madonna’s general behavior
She already had some previous controversial thoughts about coronavirus, and after testing positive for antibodies, Madonna said she’s going to go for a long drive and « breathe in the COVID-19 air. » Some say it’s performance art, many more say they’re not a fan.
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Gal Gadot’s second failure
After initiating the highly criticized celebrity rendition of ‘Imagine,’ which you’ll see later in this gallery, the actress was spotted ignoring social distancing guidelines, hugging friends and not wearing a mask, on her birthday.
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Joe Rogan’s weird brag
Back in 2020, Joe Rogan went so far as to brag about getting multiple coronavirus tests, two for himself in the same week, and one for each of his podcast guests. « I’m just going to test myself every three or four days. F— it, » Rogan said, even after testing negative twice. The US was experiencing a shortage of tests for the virus, and he was called out for abusing his privilege.
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Ellen DeGeneres’s unfortunate comparison
When the talk show host joked that quarantine for her was « like being in jail, » people were quick to point out that her lavish mansion was nothing like a prison, especially since real inmates were at increased risk of coronavirus.
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Singing ‘Imagine’
Gal Gadot invited friends like Natalie Portman, Will Ferrell, Jamie Dornan, Zoë Kravitz, Kristen Wiig, James Marsden, Kaia Gerber, Sia, Amy Adams, Mark Ruffalo, Ashley Benson, and more to sing John Lennon’s ‘Imagine.’
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Singing ‘Imagine’
The public response was overwhelmingly negative, with people mocking these millionaires for their literally and figuratively tone-deaf response to a global crisis. Many pointed out the irony of rich people singing « imagine no possessions » from their mansions.
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Vanessa Hudgens’s nihilism
In an Instagram Live video, the actress said quarantining until July is « a bunch of bulls— » and added, « Yeah, people are gonna die, which is terrible, but, like… inevitable? »
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Evangeline Lilly refusing social distancing
After the pandemic was announced and lockdowns began, the actress decided to post about how she was still taking her kids to gymnastics and how everything was « business as usual. »
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Evangeline Lilly refusing social distancing
« Some people value their lives over freedom, some people value freedom over their lives, » she wrote. « We all make our choices. » She has, however, since apologized.
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Arnold Schwarzenegger’s lavish PSA
The star told his followers to stop going outside and start social distancing while he sat in his Jacuzzi, enjoying a cigar.
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Arnold Schwarzenegger’s lavish PSA
Some Twitter users did not react well, commenting that it’s quite easy to say that when your livelihood isn’t on the line. To be fair, the actor has donated quite a lot to those affected by the virus.
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Kim Kardashian’s mistaken idea of distancing
Kim K posted a videotelling her followers to take social distancing seriously, even though she invited her mom over to her house. To make it worse, Kris Jenner encouraged everyone to get outside and boasted about how happy it made her to visit her daughter.
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Sia’s questionable contribution
The singer posted a photo of the word « virus » but with the first three letters crossed out, which deeply confused everyone and inspired many parodies.
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Priyanka Chopra clapping for an empty yard
The star posted a video of herself clapping from her balcony, as people around the world are doing to honor first responders. But her claps were received by an enormous and entirely empty yard. One user called the now-deleted video « simply a comedic masterpiece. »
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Sam Smith’s breakdown
The singer shared emotional snaps of their « quarantine meltdown » to Instagram, after admitting they have been « bored s—tless » during the health crisis, and sympathy was not included in the overwhelming response.
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Sam Smith’s breakdown
Many pointed out the fact that Smith was sharing these photos from their US$14 million, five-bedroom home in London.
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Celebrities taking coronavirus tests without symptoms
The tests are in short supply and people with symptoms, even medical workers, are struggling to get tested, but stars like Idris Elba, Heidi Klum, and Kris Jenner are getting them without having had any symptoms. Only Elba of those three turned out positive.
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Idris Elba’s wife’s test
Elba’s wife, model Sabrina Dhowre Elba, knew her husband tested positive, then chose not to isolate from him, and took another test for herself. Of course, she tested positive.
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Lionel Richie had an unoriginal idea
The singer proposed a remake of the 1985 hit ‘We Are the World’ to raise funds for COVID-19 relief efforts, and while this idea at least aimed to raise money, many wondered why rich celebrities like him didn’t just donate themselves.
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Madonna called coronavirus « the great equalizer »
She spoke about how COVID-19 « doesn’t care about how rich you are, how famous you are, » and added: « It’s the great equalizer and what’s terrible about it is what’s great about it. »
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Madonna called coronavirus « the great equalizer »
The kicker was that as she spoke about all being equal and in the same boat, she sat in a luxurious milky bath dotted with rose petals. Many were offended she compared her experience to people losing their income, living off the bare minimum, and actually battling the virus.
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Elon Musk strikes twice
On March 6, the tech mogul tweeted, « The coronavirus panic is dumb, » and then on March 15 he added, « Fear is the mind-killer. » Naturally, many disagreed.
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J.Lo’s quarantine videos
After posting a video of her backyard, many pointed out that her house uncannily resembles the rich family’s estate from Bong Joon-ho’s ‘Parasite.’
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Jaime King thanking the virus
The actress shared a now-deleted videoto her Instagram, originally created by Riya Sokol, thanking the coronavirus for various reasons, including the opportunity for people to analyze their priorities, slow down, and work together.
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Jaime King thanking the virus
The comments targeted this privileged outlook, and one user wrote that it shouldn’t take a pandemic for people to realize the toll they’re taking on the planet.
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Drake’s claustrophobic quarantine
The rapper documented his quarantine experience on Instagram, writing « My life for the next however long, » accompanied with a video of his private full-size basketball court.
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Jennifer Aniston’s not-so-relatable quarantine content
The actress posted a picture of her dog having « deep quarantine thoughts » while simultaneously showing off her stunning patio.
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Jennifer Aniston’s not-so-relatable quarantine content
Just for reference, this is her house.
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Bella Hadid’s bold service
The model told her Instagram followers to stay inside while she ate a burrito topless in her beautiful country home.
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Kylie Jenner’s not-so-equal comparison
The star posted on Instagram about her quarantine, saying that staying in the house for months when she was pregnant prepared her for quarantine.
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Kylie Jenner’s not-so-equal comparison
Many commenters argued that firstly, those two things aren’t the same, and that it was, in fact, money and her enormous house that prepared her for a comfortable quarantine.
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Katy Perry’s fake video
The pop star re-posted a video of Italians in lockdown singing her song ‘Roar’ from their balconies, and wrote, « You cannot break the human spirit. We are one in this. » It turned out the video was fake.
See also: The best lessons we can learn from social isolation
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