Actors Who Had Terrible Public Apologies

In 2018, social media influencer and pro wrestler Logan Paul posted a since-deleted video on YouTube that infuriated many, and calling it controversial doesn't even begin to cover it. Paul shot the video in the Aokigahara forest at the base of Mount Fuji in Japan. The forest is known for being a place where many go to die by suicide, and Paul thought it appropriate to film the body of a suicide victim he came across.

The video garnered millions of views before Paul took it down, leading to an apology that didn't sway many to his side. Paul initially apologized on X, formerly known as Twitter, saying he was "misguided by shock and awe" (via BBC). However, he followed up with a video apology, admitting that he was ashamed and disappointed with himself.

In the nearly two-minute video, Paul apologizes and states that his discovery of the body was not planned. He adds that his reactions were "raw and unfiltered," saying he should have put the cameras down and stopped recording. While Paul seemed to show contrition, his words still deflected responsibility away from himself. His apparent insincerity didn't undo his comment in the original video: "What, you never stand next to a dead guy?"

Mila Kunis and Ashton Kutcher became famous together on "That '70s Show," but they weren't alone. Another cast member, Danny Masterson, made a name for himself on the series, but later ran afoul of the law after he was charged with three counts of rape stemming from the early 2000s. Kunis and Kutcher came out in support of their former cast member, and they issued a letter to the presiding judge, which went public.

The two actors claimed to support victims while attempting to persuade the judge to give Masterson, who was found guilty of two counts of rape, a lighter sentence. He ultimately received 30 years in prison, and when Kunis and Kutcher's letter came to light, the blowback hit them pretty hard. They were accused of supporting a convicted rapist, which brought some unfavorable attention to the couple.

The pair posted a one-minute apology video, admitting that they caused Masterson's victims pain by submitting their letter to the judge. They explained that they wrote the character letter after Masterson's family asked for their support. Their video comes off as overly rehearsed, not heartfelt, and meant solely to improve their image after it was damaged by a letter that praised Masterson, a convicted rapist, for being a man of "exceptional character" (via Variety).

Adam Levine found himself in hot water in 2022 after allegations arose that he cheated on his then-pregnant wife, Behati Prinsloo. The Maroon 5 frontman, who's also done some acting in "American Horror Story: Asylum," found himself on the receiving end of an allegation leveled by Instagram model Sumner Stroh, who claimed that she and Levine had a year-long affair. Stroh posted her accusation on TikTok, and Levine was relatively quick to confront the claim, denying its legitimacy.

Despite denying the affair, Levine issued an apology that few considered to be heartfelt or even appropriate. Levine accepted full responsibility for being inappropriate, likely referring to messages he sent Stroh, but he didn't go into detail. He wrote that he and his family were working through his indiscretion, but many took his apology as either insincere or an indication that he wasn't truly taking responsibility.

Many celebrities, including Emily Hutchinson, Chrishell Stause, and Emily Ratajkowski, publicly called out Levine for his so-called apology. Most comments decried him for speaking for his wife, and some pointed out how his apology was little more than an "only sorry I got caught" situation in which he attempted damage control rather than properly showing remorse.

Louis C.K. launched his popular stand-up career in the early 1990s, going on to appear in multiple specials, TV series, and feature films. But in 2017, C.K. found himself on the wrong side of the #MeToo movement. Numerous allegations of sexual misconduct came to light, putting C.K. directly in the spotlight for all the wrong reasons.

Unlike others accused of similar misconduct, C.K. admitted to everything alleged against him. He issued an apology statement explaining that the allegations against him were completely true and accurate, even going so far as to list the names of four of the five women who accused him of misconduct. While his apology was unusual in that he admitted to everything, it didn't help the situation where his career was concerned.

C.K. lost his publicist, HBO removed all of his comedy specials, and Netflix canceled another special. FX cut all ties with C.K., and, for the most part, his career was all but finished. Eventually, C.K. returned to stand-up and launched an international tour. He also made two semi-apologetic comedy specials and continues working to repair his incredibly damaged career and reputation.

For decades, Ellen DeGeneres cultivated an image of being one of the most likable people on television, energetically hosted "The Ellen DeGeneres Show" for nearly 20 years. While the series presented DeGeneres as a kind and caring person, claims by staff members that surfaced in 2020 painted a picture of a much more hostile work environment behind the scenes.

It came out that several employees were subjected to fear, intimidation, and racism while working on the show. Her staff members didn't accuse DeGeneres directly, but seeing as it was her program, she was ultimately responsible for fostering a toxic workplace. DeGeneres opened her 18th season by apologizing in her monologue at the top of the show. But the apology included several jokes and made light of the situation, which her former employees didn't appreciate.

The apology hurt DeGeneres more than the initial accusations. "The Ellen DeGeneres Show" ended after Season 19, and while she explained that the show's ending was a long time coming, few believed it, calling her apology tone-deaf and disingenuous. DeGeneres' career took a significant hit, and she's been largely out of action since ending her show.

Will Smith dominated the box office for decades, headlining numerous feature films and franchises while also continuing his successful music career. Unfortunately, Smith let his emotions get the best of him while attending the 2022 Academy Awards. In an event now dubbed "the slap heard around the world," Smith walked onto the stage and slapped Chris Rock in the face after Rock made a joke about Smith's wife, Jada Pinkett Smith.

Soon after the incident, Smith won the Academy Award for best actor for his work in "King Richard." However, he failed to apologize to Rock during his acceptance speech, while apologizing to the Academy and his peers. This didn't please Rock, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS), or the public, so he followed up with a more heartfelt video apology posted a few months after the incident.

Smith's apology didn't repair the harm done to his career, and he paid for his actions. The AMPAS banned Smith for 10 years, and his reputation was indelibly marked by his actions. His career took a hit, but he has continued to work in the industry even though he's ineligible to win another Academy Award for quite some time.

Jimmy Fallon presents a fun and entertaining personality while interviewing celebrities on "The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon," but things aren't always what they seem. According to present and former staff members, Fallon fostered an environment of employee abuse that made his staff absolutely miserable.

Staff members alleged that Fallon's excessive drinking and subsequent hangovers made him a nightmare to work with, and that was only the beginning. Two current and 14 former employees explained that the staff designated so-called "crying rooms" where they could go and recover from Fallon's toxic behavior. The article resulted in an apology from the host via an all-hands Zoom call.

During the call, he said (via The Hollywood Reporter), "It's embarrassing, and I feel so bad. Sorry if I embarrassed you and your family and friends." Many had problems with Fallon's apology because he appeared to deflect blame, putting it on his alleged victims without properly accepting accountability for his actions. NBC didn't fire Fallon, and the show continued, but the host's reputation has yet to recover fully.

If you or anyone you know is struggling or in crisis, or may be a victim of sexual assault, contact the relevant resources below:

• Call or text 988 or chat 988lifeline.org.

• Visit the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network website or contact RAINN's National Helpline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673).