Celebrities are people in the public eye, which means that much of their personal lives are scrutinized. That's why they always have to be careful from words to actions when showing up in public. However, there are moments when celebrities can't help but show they're only human, and now and again are seen losing their temper and lacking professionalism in front of the cameras.
Today, we’re taking a look back at some of the more irritable moments of the celebrities and see how they took control of the situation while dozens of light bulbs flashed out. If you haven't witnessed those actors getting angry much in public, here are some shocking images of celebrities losing their cool. Keep reading for more details!
#1 Mariah Carey
Source: Splash
During Mariah Carey's 2017 New Year's Eve concert in New York's Times Square, fans bombarded her with questions. Surprisingly, she seemed to forget the words to her own song, and what she did sing wasn't her greatest effort. Fortunately, Mariah appears to have recovered since then.
#2 Chris Brown
Source: Getty Images
Chris Brown rushed off the set of Good Morning America in 2011 after Robin Roberts challenged him about the Rihanna-related domestic violence case he was involved in. According to ABC News, it was revealed after he stormed onto the stage that he smashed a window in his dressing room before leaving the set.
#3 Solange Knowles
Source: Xavier Collin/IPA/Splash News
The world was astonished when a video emerged of Solange Knowles striking and kicking
Jay-Z — her brother-in-law and Beyoncé's husband — in an elevator at the 2014 Met Gala. Because that horrific episode was never completely explained, the mystery remains.
#4 Alec Baldwin
Source: @ Jackie Brown / Splash News
Here's another case when leaking audio nearly lost someone their job. Alec Baldwin called his oldest daughter, Ireland (who was 11 at the time), a "rude, stupid little pig" when she didn't answer the phone in 2007.
#5 Mel Gibson
Source: Fred Prouser/Reuters/Corbis
Mel Gibson has had his fair share of meltdowns in the past, but one, in particular, was made public. Mel was recorded arguing with then-girlfriend Oksana Grigorieva in 2010, making racist and sexist remarks about her that were difficult to retract.
#6 Charlie Sheen
Source: Splash News
Charlie Sheen has had one of the most public meltdowns in Hollywood history. He was dismissed from Two and a Half Men in 2011 after loudly criticizing showrunner Chuck Lorre (and giving out his phone number) on the radio. Charlie became well-known for his rants about "tiger blood" and "winning."
#7 Britney Spears
Source: NY Daily News via Getty Images
Britney Spears had a difficult month in February 2007. She notably shaved her head and assaulted a paparazzo's automobile while being tailed in the same month.
"I noticed her hair was gone. I remember asking her, 'Why did you shave your head?' And her answer was a bit weird," tattoo artist Emily Wynee-Hughes said in a 2019 documentary, via The Sun. "It was, you know, 'I just don't want anybody, anybody touching my head. I don't want anyone touching my hair. I'm sick of people touching my hair.'"
#8 Will Smith
Source: Robyn Beck/AFP via Getty Images
The smack heard round the world. That’s what this year’s Academy Awards are likely to be remembered for, after Will Smith struck comedian Chris Rock in the face as he presented the award for best documentary feature. The incident came after Rock made a joke about Smith’s wife, Jada Pinkett Smith, mocking her shaved head. The tasteless jab was enough to cause Smith to march on stage and strike the chuckling comedian with an open hand, eliciting gasps from the audience.
#9 Nick Lachey
Source: tmz_tv
Nick Lachey was caught on tape angrily abusing a photojournalist before attempting to steal her phone via a vehicle window in March 2022. According to TMZ, Nick and his wife, Vanessa, were driving home when they were trailed by a female paparazzi. Nick later apologized on Twitter, saying that he "overreacted." Regardless, it was not a nice look for the ex-98 Degrees singer.
#10 Kanye West
Source: JOCE/Bauer-Griffin/GC Images/Getty Images
Kanye West ranted about his family on Twitter and during a campaign rally for his unsuccessful 2020 presidential campaign shortly before news of his divorce from Kim Kardashian broke. He not only admitted that he pondered terminating Kim's pregnancy with North, but he also accused Kim and her family (including Kim's mother, Kris Jenner) of attempting to "lock him up" for his mental health.
#11 Justin Bieber
Source: justinbieber
After dealing with his mental health, Justin unexpectedly canceled all meet-and-greets with fans for the remainder of his Purpose tour in 2016 because absorbing their energy had become too much for him.
"I enjoy meeting such incredible people, but I end up filled with so much of other people's spiritual energy that I end up so drained and unhappy," he wrote on Instagram at the time.
#12 Christian Bale
Source: Splash News
On the set of Terminator: Salvation in 2009, Christian Bale was captured on tape going on an expletive-laden rage. He ended up cursing cameraman Shane Hurlbut and screaming, "Am I going to walk around and rip your f---ing lights down, in the middle of a scene? Then why the f--- are you walking right through — ah-da-da-dah, like this — in the background? What the f--- is it with you? What don't you f---ing understand?"
#13 Reese Witherspoon
Source: Splash News
Reese Witherspoon's arrest (together with husband Jim Toth) in 2013 was captured on video, including her statements to the police officer. At one point, Reese (who was under the influence of alcohol at the time) attempted to utilize her celebrity to get out of the situation, saying things like, "Do you know my name? You better not arrest me."
#14 Winona Ryder
Source: Richie Buxo/Splash News/Corbis
Winona Ryder was jailed in 2001 for stealing more than $5,000 in items from Saks Fifth Avenue in Beverly Hills. Winona was then brought to trial and sentenced to probation, fines, therapy, and community service.
#15 Mischa Barton
Source: Splash News / Splash News / Corbis
TMZ got video in 2017 showing actress Mischa Barton yelling at her neighbors from what appeared to be her garden. After the police were summoned to her residence, she was taken in for a mental examination since some of her words were unintelligible.