Entertainment

17 Cringeworthy Celebrity Moments That Will Make You Facepalm

2025-03-16

Author: Ling

Prepare yourself for a rollercoaster of secondhand embarrassment! Here’s a countdown of hilariously awkward and cringe-worthy moments that our favorite celebrities have endured in public, reminding us that fame doesn't always come with grace.

1. Zac Efron’s Condom Slip

At the 2012 premiere of The Lorax, Zac Efron found himself red-faced when a condom slipped from his pocket onto the red carpet. Amid a sea of cameras and flashing lights, Efron swiftly picked it up while the internet exploded with memes. In hindsight, he humorously admitted he would definitely be checking his pockets before future appearances.

2. Charli D’Amelio’s Hashtag Blunder

In a not-so-fun twist in 2021, TikTok star Charli D'Amelio mistakenly recorded her affection for supporters of a hashtag meant for Charli XCX, whose friend had recently passed away. The heartfelt message got lost in translation, turning a sweet shoutout into a cringe-inducing moment.

3. 50 Cent’s Epic Baseball Pitch

In May 2014, rapper 50 Cent tried his hand at throwing the first pitch for a New York Mets game—and it went horrifically wrong. His pitch veered way off course, earning him a permanent spot in baseball blooper reels and a healthy dose of online roasting.

4. Lindsay Lohan’s Courtroom Nail Art

During a 2010 court appearance, Lindsay Lohan’s middle finger bore a rebellious message, much to the critics’ delight. Painted with “Fuck U,” her nail art drew a flurry of online ridicule, especially as she cried in court. While she claimed it was just a joke, it's a moment she surely wishes to erase.

5. Ted Cruz’s Mouth Mishap

During a 2016 presidential debate, a strange white object made an appearance on Ted Cruz's lip, and in a shocking moment, he licked it away. Theories swirled around what it was, and the incident overshadowed much of his speech, leaving viewers—and Cruz himself—feeling deeply embarrassed.

6. Justin Bieber’s Double Vomit Spill

Pop star Justin Bieber wasn’t at his best during a September 2012 concert when he threw up on stage not once, but twice. Despite the embarrassing spectacle, he humorously owned up to it later, blaming his pre-show milk binge.

7. Jennifer Lawrence’s Oscar Fall

At the 2013 Academy Awards, Jennifer Lawrence made an unforgettable entrance when she tripped while heading to accept her first Oscar. She laughed it off in style, endearing her to fans but certainly marking it as an awkward moment in her illustrious career.

8. Adrien Brody’s Gum Incident

When winner Adrien Brody accepted his Oscar, he tossed his chewing gum towards his companion instead of discreetly disposing of it. His lengthy acceptance speech that followed was a little too much for the audience, marking it as quite the memorable acceptance moment in Oscar history.

9. The Great Oscar Mix-Up

The infamous Best Picture blunder at the 2017 Oscars saw Warren Beatty and Faye Dunaway mistakenly announcing La La Land as the winner instead of Moonlight. This epic mix-up left audiences gasping and provided a cringe-worthy moment that will be talked about for years.

10. Miss Universe Confusion

The 2015 Miss Universe pageant took a turn for the awkward when host Steve Harvey mistakenly crowned Miss Colombia as the winner before correcting himself and announcing Miss Philippines. The stunned reactions and quick corrections created an unforgettable cringe moment.

11. Kathie Lee Gifford’s Memory Slip

During a 2012 episode of The Today Show, Kathie Lee Gifford praised comedian Martin Short’s marriage, unaware that his wife had passed away two years prior. Short handled the situation graciously, displaying maturity in a truly uncomfortable moment.

12. Molly Meldrum’s Stage Mishap

In January 2023, Australian music icon Molly Meldrum made headlines when he interrupted Elton John’s concert, only for his pants to drop mid-performance. The spectacle raised eyebrows, and his public apology afterwards barely brushed the embarrassment aside.

13. Seinfeld Snubs Kesha

In a 2017 red carpet interaction, Kesha requested a hug from comedian Jerry Seinfeld, who repeatedly declined with polite but firm rejections. The moments of increasing awkwardness left Kesha flustered and Seinfeld bewildered, making for an unforgettably cringe-worthy encounter.

14. David Hasselhoff's Drunken Hamburger Incident

In a video that went viral in 2007, David Hasselhoff was seen struggling to eat a hamburger while lying on the floor after a night of drinking. Although initially embarrassing, he revealed the video sparked his recovery journey, showing how vulnerability can lead to positive change.

15. Angelina Jolie’s Controversial Moments

Back in the early 2000s, Angelina Jolie’s red carpet antics with then-husband Billy Bob Thornton raised eyebrows—especially when she said they had sex in a limo. To add to the drama, her Oscar acceptance speech about her brother made headlines for all the wrong reasons.

16. Madison Prewett’s Comment Faux Pas

In a whirlwind of social media blunders, The Bachelor contestant Madison Prewett accidentally left a compliment on her Instagram post thinking it was from a fan account. The mix-up turned into a hilarious ridicule session among fans online.

17. Heather Morris’s Dance Tribute Gone Wrong

Glee star Heather Morris faced backlash for her interpretive dance tribute to George Floyd. Intended as a heartfelt gesture, many deemed it self-indulgent and insensitive, marking it as one of the cringe moments of 2023.

These instances remind us that, despite their fame and glamor, celebrities are just as susceptible to making fools of themselves as the rest of us! Keep your popcorn handy for more real-life drama.