Celebrities may have fame, fortune, and influence, but that doesn’t mean they’re immune to major missteps. From box office bombs to PR nightmares, 2024 was filled with unforgettable celebrity fails. Here’s a roundup of the year’s biggest flops.
1. Katy Perry’s Comeback Misfires
Katy Perry’s long-awaited return to music didn’t go as planned. Her album 143 was criticized for being outdated, and the video for Woman’s World sparked backlash for its portrayal of women in a construction-site setting. The controversy deepened when Perry filmed another music video in Spain’s protected sand dunes, drawing government scrutiny. Despite the setbacks, her tour has been a massive success.
2. Joker: Folie à Deux Disappoints at the Box Office
The highly anticipated sequel to Joker turned out to be a massive letdown. The decision to make it a musical alienated fans, and despite starring Joaquin Phoenix and Lady Gaga, the film barely recouped its budget. Joker: Folie à Deux joined a list of 2024’s biggest movie flops, including Madame Web, The Fall Guy, Kraven the Hunter, and Furiosa: A Mad Max Story.
3. Ticketmaster’s Dynamic Pricing Backlash
Fans were outraged when Ticketmaster used dynamic pricing for the Oasis reunion tour, inflating ticket prices by hundreds of dollars. Liam and Noel Gallagher distanced themselves from the policy, which was later scrapped for U.S. dates. Many who purchased overpriced tickets on resale platforms faced cancellations, creating a chaotic situation for everyone involved.
4. Surprise Party Spoiled on Live TV
BBC weather presenter Kawser Quamer accidentally revealed her niece’s surprise birthday party during a live broadcast. The clip went viral and even made its way onto Jimmy Kimmel Live! Fortunately, Quamer managed to convince her niece that she was referring to a different family member, salvaging the surprise.
5. Netflix’s Kaos Canceled After One Season
Jeff Goldblum’s Greek mythology drama Kaos was supposed to be a hit, but Netflix canceled it just weeks after its premiere. Despite fan campaigns to save the show, the streaming giant decided to pull the plug due to low engagement numbers.
6. Co-op Live Arena’s Rocky Opening
Manchester’s new music venue had a disastrous launch, with multiple cancellations due to technical failures—including a ventilation unit falling from the ceiling. Events featuring Peter Kay, Olivia Rodrigo, and Take That were postponed, but the venue eventually opened successfully with a concert from rock band Elbow.
7. President Biden’s Debate Disaster
President Joe Biden’s poor performance during a televised debate in June led to a political firestorm. Struggling to finish sentences and keep pace with Donald Trump, Biden’s showing was so concerning that pressure mounted for him to step down. Eventually, Vice President Kamala Harris replaced him as the Democratic nominee.
8. Paris Olympics Opening Ceremony Fizzles
Despite a performance from Celine Dion, the Paris Olympics opening ceremony was hampered by rain and a disjointed format. Organizers spread the event across the city rather than holding it in a stadium, causing logistical headaches. A segment featuring drag queens also sparked controversy, though the artistic director insisted it was inspired by pagan mythology.
9. Disaster at the Unofficial Bridgerton Ball
Hyped as an elegant Regency-era experience, an unofficial Bridgerton-themed event turned into a nightmare. Attendees were met with bland food, cheap decorations, and a violinist playing alongside a pole dancer. Organizers later apologized, but the event became an internet laughingstock.
10. Eurovision’s Year of Chaos
This year’s Eurovision Song Contest was filled with controversy. Protests erupted over Israel’s participation, the Netherlands’ Joost Klein was disqualified due to a backstage altercation, and winner Nemo accidentally shattered the Eurovision trophy on stage. To top it off, the UK finished in a disappointing 18th place.
11. Broadcasting Blunders
BBC’s Laura Kuenssberg withdrew from an interview with Boris Johnson after mistakenly sending him her questions in advance. Meanwhile, ITV’s Good Morning Britain faced backlash when host Ed Balls interviewed his wife, Home Secretary Yvette Cooper, about UK riots.
12. Oppenheimer Stage Invasion
During the BAFTA Awards, an unidentified man managed to sneak onto the stage alongside the Oppenheimer cast as they accepted the Best Film award. The intruder turned out to be a YouTube prankster. Security measures have since been tightened.
13. Wicked Poster Controversy
When a fan edited the Wicked movie poster to resemble its Broadway counterpart, Cynthia Erivo criticized the change, saying it erased her role as Elphaba. Social media users playfully mocked her reaction, but Erivo later handled the backlash gracefully, calling it a “human moment.”
14. Rishi Sunak’s Rainy Election Announcement
Former UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced the general election while standing in the pouring rain without an umbrella. To make matters worse, an activist blasted music through a nearby speaker, disrupting the speech. Sunak later joked that he was “not a fair-weather politician.”
15. Tour Troubles for Music Superstars
Live tours hit major roadblocks in 2024. Jennifer Lopez canceled her tour amid low ticket sales, Tenacious D faced backlash over political remarks, and Madonna frustrated fans by repeatedly showing up late. Adele also had a viral moment when she misheard a fan’s comment, thinking they shouted “Pride sucks” when they actually said “Work sucks.”
Source: BBC News
