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Top Ten Celebrity Apologies

With the recent broadcast of the Tiger Woods apology, I got to thinking about other celeb scandals that have resulted in public ‘my bads’. While I was putting this list together I realized that I could do a Top Ten list of actors, athletes, and politician apologies. The number of celebrity apologies is long and varied. Of course I couldn’t fit everything in here – I plan on broadcasting my apology for that in ten nevers.

Tiger Woods

Dirty Deed: After crashing his car on Thanksgiving weekend in 2009, reports began to surface that golf pro Tiger Woods had not one, but twelve extra-martial affairs. When the heck did he golf?

Most Shocking Part: How did he get away with this for so long?

Outcome: Woods took to the cameras in February 2010 and offered at fifteen minute apology. Woods seemed sincere and has since been making every attempt to reconcile his marriage and repair his image to his sponsors and fans. I think wife Elin’s decision on their marriage will be a big determining factor as to whether the public forgives Tiger and his busy tail.

Bill Clinton

Dirty Deed: Not only did Clinton, the then President of the United States of America, have an affair with a member of his staff, he publicly denied it. I, for one, don’t think I can live in a world where we can’t trust politicians.

Most Shocking Part: One, he lied, very publicly. Two, Monica Lewinsky, Clinton’s partner in crime, offered incredibly detailed accounts of their time together while she was testifying in court…very detailed.

Outcome: Still considered one of the greatest Presidents and is quite popular today.

Kanye West

Dirty Deed: When accepting her award for the Best Female Video in 2009, Taylor Swift’s speech was interrupted by Kanye West. West walked on stage and took the mic from Swift, saying “Yo Taylor, I’m really happy for you, I’ll let you finish, but Beyoncé has one of the best videos of all time. One of the best videos of all time!” Kanye then shrugged and walked off the stage, leaving a stunned Swift standing before millions in silence. Swift was later brought back on stage by Beyonce to give her acceptance speech. Many celebrities rushed to Swifts side to defend the young singer. The incident drew international attention, and President Obama even chimed in, calling West a ‘jackass.’

Most Shocking: Kanye usually rants when he loses an award, not when someone else does. I think he’s actually maturing.

Outcome: Kanye went into instant damage control. He wrote an apology on his blog, apologized in person to Swift’s mother and appeared on Leno to offer his regrets. When Leno asked West how the rapper thought his late mother would have reacted to the event, West broke down in tears. Kanye has since not appeared at any award shows. I ain’t mad at cha anymore Kanye.

Kobe Bryant

Dirty Deed: The NBA star was facing years in prison when a hotel worker pressed charges against Bryant, claiming that he sexually assaulted her. She later recanted the charge and admitted that the sexual encounter was consensual. Kobe made a public apology for the affair and had his wife by his side during the telecast.

Most Shocking: Kobe is one of the only celebs to not read a statement of apology, but instead speak freely. Also shocking was how loving and affectionate his wife was during the apology – did she not know what he was apologizing for?!

Outcome: The apology and subsequent charities that Bryant supported in the following years worked. He is back at the top of his game.

Chris Brown

Dirty Deed: While on their way to the Grammy’s, singer Chris Brown and his then-girlfriend Rihanna got into an argument while Chris was driving. Brown pulled over the car and proceed to physically abuse Rihanna. Brown turned himself into LA Police the next day and was order to perform 500 hours of community service.

Most Shocking: Graphic police pictures of a bruised and battered Rihanna surfaced on the internet in the days following the attack. Around the same time, Brown delivered a public apology and was then spotted looking happy and carefree out at night clubs and on his jet ski.

Outcome: Brown released his third album, Graffiti, in late 2009. Fans have responded with low album sales.

Hugh Grant

Dirty Deed: In 1995, rom com king Hugh Grant was arrested during a sting operation in Hollywood after he solicited sexual favours from prostitute, Divine Brown. Grant was scheduled to appear on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno that week, and used this opportunity as a platform for his public apology. Grant expressed his deep regret over the event and did not offer any excuses.

Most Shocking: At the time of incident, Grant was in a long-term relationship with model and actress Elizabeth Hurley, who was considered one of the world’s most beautiful women. Their relationship continued after the scandal.

Outcome: The event tarnished Grant’s good boy image, but it seems as though the public has forgiven the Brit. Grant has gone on to star in box office hits such as Notting Hill and Love Actually.

Janet Jackson

Dirty Deed: While performing at the 2006 Super Bowl with Justin Timberlake, JT ripped off a piece of Janet’s costume, exposing her right breast. While Timberlake got off relatively scot-free, Jackson was left to deal with the onslaught of press and made a public apology on television. Um, I’m pretty sure Janet didn’t pull her own shirt off. Where was JT for this apology???

Most Shocking: Sun shaped pastie.

Outcome: The FCC and the US Supreme Court still haven’t forgiven Janet, but the rest of the world have.

Michael Richards

Dirty Deed: While performing in 2006 at California’s Laugh Factory, Richards began yelling the ‘N’ word at a heckler and proceeded to reference lynching. The event was captured on cell phone and the video went viral immediately. Longtime friend and co-star, Jerry Seinfeld, appeared on David Letterman days later and introduced Richards via satellite. Richards went on to give a heartfelt apology and apologized personally to civil rights leaders Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson.

Most Shocking: People were stunned that the attack came from one of televisions most beloved characters.

Outcome: Richards worked extensively with Sharpton and Jackson and it appears that the public has forgiven their Kramer.

James Frey

Dirty Deed: Frey wrote a memoir about his time in a drug and alcohol rehabilitation centre. The author described events such as spending time in jail and receiving numerous root canals without any painkillers. A Million Little Pieces was put on Oprah’s Book Club and sold thousands of copies before the website The Smoking Gun published a list of all the falsities told by Frey in his book.

Most Shocking: Oprah invited Frey and his Editor onto her show to discuss the book after the untruths had been revealed, but instead Oprah went on a tirade condemning Frey and his Editor for lying.

Outcome: Frey wrote a memoir about a time of heavy drug and alcohol abuse. What’s the likelihood of it being 100 per cent accurate? Not much. Still a great book. Frey has gone on to be a successful writer, often writing under pseudonyms.

Ashlee Simpson

Dirty Deed: While performing on SNL, Simpson was revealed as a lip-syncher when the wrong song, with her vocals on it, started to play. Simpson tried to dance it off but eventually walked off the stage, leaving her band standing on live television without a singer. At the end of the show Simpson blamed her band for playing the wrong song. The next day, Simpson’s father and manager, Joe Simpson, said that the lip synching was necessary because of a severe case of acid reflux that Ashlee was suffering from.

Most Shocking: Somehow Simpson thought that a jig would be a good way to cover up her mistake. It wasn’t. I’m still waiting for my apology for that as well.

Outcome: Simpson went on to play the half time show at the Super Bowl, where she was booed by the entire stadium. Her music career has never quite recovered and she has focused on acting in films and movies.

Tags: A Million Little Pieces, Al Sharpton, ashlee simpson, bill clinton, chris brown, david letterman, Elizabeth Hurley, Grammys, Hugh Grant, James Frey, janet jackson, jay leno, jerry seinfeld, Jesse Jackson, Joe Simpson, Joey Lauren Adams, justin timberlake, Kanye West, Kobe Bryant, Love Actually, Michael Richards, Monica Lewinsky, Notting Hill, obama, oprah, rihanna, Super Bowl, taylor swift, Tiger Woods, vmas

Posted on Thursday, February 25th, 2010 at 5:14 pm by Allison and is filed under Blog, Celebrities & Pop Culture.

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