We hear about celebrities a lot. It’s fun to focus on a life so different and more fabulous than your own. But sometimes, we focus on the bad things about a celebrity, to such an extent that they become hated by the media.
In our period of increased social awareness and the #MeToo movement, a lot of celebrities are hated for the right reasons, such as sexism, racism, or allegations of sexual assault.
But others are hated for less discernible reasons, sometimes rooted in sexism or racism, or people thinking they’re “weird.” And a lot of these celebrities are not bad people and can be pretty awesome.
1. Britney Spears
Britney became famous young and has been in the spotlight ever since. Around the time of 2007, the paparazzi followed her every move. This stress took its toll, and in addition to being in and out of rehab for drug problems, getting divorced, losing custody of her sons, and attacking a paparazzi car, she had her infamous moment where in February of 2007, she completely shaved her head. People thought this meltdown was ‘hysterical’ while others just thought she was ‘crazy’.
She is trying incredibly hard to be a good mother to her sons. While she doesn’t have full legal custody, she goes to therapy to make sure she doesn’t make the same mistakes her parents made. Most importantly, she makes sure her kids are comfortable and are happy in whatever they’re doing with her.
2. Kristen Stewart
This actress became famous for the same reason she became hated by the world. Her lead role in the “Twilight” movies launched her career, but her terrible acting in the equally terrible movie made her absolutely hated. People called her ‘boring’ and 'awkward' among other things. It didn’t help that it was revealed that she cheated on her co-star Robert Pattinson.
However, the actress has proven herself to be pretty socially aware. As a member of the LGBT community herself, and even has a girlfriend, she’s grown up to be a really down to earth person.
3. Nicki Minaj
This singer became famous worldwide in 2010, and while her rap career did well, she was hated by viewers. She was loud, sexual, and was seen as "mean" and a "terrible role model." Her anaconda video especially brought on a wave of heat as people mocked her for displaying her body and not taking herself, or her responsibility as a celebrity seriously.
Nicki Minaj is more than her appearance, and showing off her body is her decision. But beyond the character she portrays, she’s a good person who constantly encourages her young fans to get an education; something very important to her. While people say that she’s a terrible role model, she cares deeply about her fans.
4. Kesha
This singer became famous back in 2009, with chipper songs about drugs, sex, strippers, and all sorts of crazy party things. She was always wearing glitter, not a lot of clothes, and was deemed "a mess" by everyone who saw her. Her music was called bad, she was called trashy, and parents and critics despised her.
When she disappeared from the music scene, nobody really noticed. It wasn’t until she came back in 2016 with rape allegations against her old producer that people realized what she had been through. While some people still hate her for being "weird," she’s made a powerful message for abuse survivors and members of the LGBT community.
5. Macaulay Culkin
This child actor was known for his hit roles and was seen as one of the most influential stars of his time. Unfortunately, as he got older, he got into drugs and rough times and was hated by the public. Many people saw him as ‘crazy’ or ‘disgusting’ for his antics or just because of how he looked.
However, Macaulay Culkin is doing much better, and is even dating another former child star, Brenda Song, and says that he is incredibly in love. He is sober and incredibly down to earth.
6. Lindsay Lohan
Another former child star, this actress had a downward spiral of her fame when she began having a lot of problems starting in 2005 with drugs, alcohol, and car related crashes and felonies. She was hated and was seen as a symbol of why not to do alcohol and drugs, and her pictures were spread across the internet in order to mock her appearance and situation.
However, she has been working hard and been sober for years now, and is also heavily involved with social activism, and travels to middle eastern countries to learn different cultures and religions.
7. Jaden Smith
This child of Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith was seen initially as a hopeful actor, but after the failed movie “After Earth” in 2013, and due to his strange philosophical social media presence, he was seen as ‘weird’ and was widely hated due to the way that he talked and dressed.
However, he is only 19 and he has been doing important work. His show “The Get Down” brought visibility to LGBT characters and issues, and he’s been working recently with his father in order to bring water and resources to Flint.
Just because he’s weird, doesn’t mean he deserves to be hated.