32 Musicians Whose Careers Have been Ruined In a single day

1.

DaBaby rose to prominence within the late 2010s with songs like “Suge” and options on songs with Submit Malone and Dua Lipa. However then, in 2021, he was accused of constructing anti-gay feedback whereas performing on the Rolling Loud Competition. He mentioned to the gang, “Should you did not present up immediately with HIV, AIDS, or any of them lethal sexually transmitted illnesses that’ll make you die in two to a few weeks, then put your cellphone lighter up. Girls, in case your p**** scent like water, put your cellphone lighter up. Fellas, should you ain’t sucking d*** within the parking zone, put your cellphone lighter up.”

After backlash, he took to Instagram, saying, “My homosexual followers, they maintain themselves. They ain’t no nasty homosexual n—as. See what I am saying? They ain’t no junkies on the street. The hell you speaking about, n—as? Then I mentioned should you ain’t sucking d— within the parking zone, put your cellphone lighter up. You realize what my homosexual followers did? Put that motherf—ing gentle up, n—a, ‘trigger my homosexual followers ain’t going for that. They obtained class. They ain’t sucking no d— in no parking zone.” After his feedback, DaBaby was dropped from a number of competition lineups.

His credit score on the high-charting track “Levitating” with Dua Lipa was additionally dropped from a number of Billboard lists after radio stations began taking part in the solo model somewhat than the model together with his function. DaBaby then apologized for his feedback, however the harm was finished. Paired with a number of run-ins with the regulation and as soon as hitting a feminine fan,* DaBaby’s subsequent album failed to promote in addition to his previous albums, and DaBaby claimed he’d been “blackballed.” He has not launched an album since.

2.

Børns (actual identify: Garrett Clark Borns) grew to become an electropop darling within the 2010s, opening for acts corresponding to Halsey and Bleachers. However then, in 2018, simply after ending up a tour with Lana del Rey, he was accused of sexual misconduct and grooming underage followers. Regardless of Borns denying the accusations, he was dropped from the All Issues Go Fall Basic competition.

He took an extended break from the general public eye however quietly launched an unbiased EP final 12 months after being dropped from his label in 2020. This 12 months, he wrote on Instagram that he didn’t groom anybody and that every one relationships he had have been consensual, however acknowledged “that I should not have engaged in relationships with followers,” saying, “I apologize to the ladies concerned and hope they’ve discovered happiness. I did not present them the extent of respect I might have in our communication or lack thereof, and I used to be irresponsible with their emotions.”

3.

Probably the most heinous examples on this checklist is Ian Watkins, the lead singer for the choice rock group Misplaced Prophets, which was lively within the 2000s. Within the late 2000s, police grew to become conscious of allegations of sexual abuse of youngsters, however Watkins was finally not arrested till 2012, although this was on account of drug-related suspicions. Nonetheless, as soon as his house and belongings have been searched, the police shortly pivoted to an investigation of kid intercourse abuse. He was finally hit with 24 separate intercourse offense-related expenses, together with making an attempt to rape a fan’s child, sexual contact with a one-year-old, and expenses associated to his filming and possession of kid intercourse abuse. He was finally sentenced to 29 years in jail, the place he has been ever since.

4.

Whereas he should still be capable of make a comeback, Fetty Wap’s profession is on maintain after his 2022 drug trafficking conviction. Fetty skyrocketed to fame shortly together with his first album, however his profession languished afterward. Even Fetty himself mentioned his profession was on the decline earlier than the conviction, which is why he turned to drug trafficking within the first place. He dropped an album late final 12 months from jail, nevertheless it does not seem to have charted. He will not be eligible for launch till 2029.

5.

Todrick Corridor initially grew to become well-known via his YouTube movies and musical theater profession, later showing on American Idol. After being eradicated, he continued his profession in actuality reveals, YouTube, and Broadway, and launched a number of albums. Nonetheless, issues took a flip in 2019, when Corridor confronted plenty of accusations, starting from not paying collaborators and dancers to sexual harassment.

Then, in 2022, Corridor appeared on Movie star Large Brother and was slammed for habits and feedback folks discovered imply. He went on to star in The Actual Pals of WeHo on MTV, nevertheless it was not well-received. He additionally met current backlash for posting a GoFundMe after his household handled a home fireplace. His most up-to-date album was launched with out a lot fanfare, although he is ready to carry out within the West Finish this summer time.

6.

Sia grew to become big within the 2010s, rising in fame together with Maddie Ziegler, who appeared in a lot of her music movies. Nonetheless, issues took a flip when Sia launched her movie Music, that includes Ziegler as a nonverbal autistic character. The backlash to the movie was sturdy even earlier than it got here out, particularly relating to Sia’s option to solid a neurotypical actor within the position of a kid with autism. Nonetheless, Sia solely made issues worse through the movie’s promotion, most notably when an actor with autism known as her out for not casting somebody like her, and Sia replied, “Possibly you are only a dangerous actor.” Sia additionally acknowledged she “truly tried working with a good looking younger woman, nonverbal on the spectrum, and she or he discovered it disagreeable and anxious.”

The film was panned and known as ableist, with opinions noting Ziegler’s efficiency was like a caricature of an autistic individual. It additionally confronted criticism for its portrayal of using restraint on autistic folks, which isn’t really helpful and might be harmful and even deadly. Sia later apologized for her problematic depiction after which deleted her Twitter account.

Following an extended break (throughout which Sia later mentioned she’d suffered a relapse), Sia launched a brand new album simply months in the past, nevertheless it charted far decrease than her earlier albums.

7.

Natalia Kills slowly rose in fame over the early 2010s, opening for acts like Kesha, the Black-Eyed Peas, and Katy Perry, in addition to that includes on an LMFAO track.

8.

Natalia Kills’ husband, Willy Moon, was equally rising within the music scene after going viral for his hit “Yeah Yeah.” The 2, who have been married, each seemed to be getting extra notoriety with their first foray into actuality tv as judges on The X Issue New Zealand.

Nonetheless, of their very first stay present, Kills and Moon made such merciless feedback to a contestant that each of their careers have been virtually instantly ruined. After contestant Joe Irvine sang “Cry Me a River,” Kills known as Irvine out for dressing like Moon, with Moon becoming a member of in. The viewers booed, and the opposite judges tried to step in, however they saved going.

Natalia later issued an apology, saying, “So much goes on behind the scenes of a actuality TV present and [what] you see isn’t at all times the entire story. … I used to be inspired to be outspoken, and issues obtained out of hand. … Joe, I hope you possibly can forgive me and I want you all the perfect!” however the harm was finished. The duo was let go from the present after a viral petition to get them fired. Natalia did proceed her profession, however she modified her identify and began a distinct band with Moon, which nonetheless has not launched their debut album.

9.

R&B duo Milli Vanilli reached worldwide fame within the late ’80s with their debut album, main them to win the award for Finest New Artist on the 1990 Grammy Awards. Nonetheless, their careers shortly took a nosedive when their producer Frank Farian revealed they did not sing any of the album, which was confirmed by member Rob Pilatus. The Grammys swiftly revoked their award.

Whereas Pilatus and co-member Fab Morvan tried a number of comebacks, the scandal adopted them, and so they have been unable to realize traction once more.

10.

Billy Squier skyrocketed to fame within the early Eighties, however by 1984, his profession was primarily over. Why? The blame lies with the music video for his track “Rock Me Tonite,” which was so dangerous many claimed it singlehandedly tanked his profession. Even Squier mentioned so: “The video had a deleterious impact on my profession. The tour earlier than, I used to be promoting out arenas sooner than Sinatra, and as quickly as that video got here out, I used to be taking part in to half homes,” he mentioned in 2011, in accordance with I Need My MTV: The Uncensored Story of the Music Video Revolution.

The track itself was a significant hit, however the video — which largely featured Squier dancing round in a bed room, rolling on the ground, and ripping his shirt off — made folks scratch their heads. “The video misrepresents who I’m as an artist,” Squier instructed the authors of I Need My MTV. “I used to be a handsome, attractive man. That definitely did not damage in selling my music. However on this video, I am sort of a reasonably boy. And I am preening round a room. Individuals mentioned, ‘He is homosexual,’ or ‘He is on medicine’. It was traumatizing to me.”

11.

Vanilla Ice rose to fame extremely shortly with “Ice, Ice, Child” in 1990, however he attracted controversy simply as shortly. First, reported particulars about his previous (particularly that he had a tough background) have been confirmed false. His music additionally was criticized for being white-washed and “mainstream.” Then, Jim Carrey parodied him on In Residing Shade, he had a disastrous look on The Arsenio Corridor Present, and he was the topic of a diss monitor by third Bass. Lastly, he starred within the panned movie Cool as Ice, which successfully ended his film profession earlier than it started.

He then tried a profession in motocross, jet snowboarding, and actuality TV and had a number of run-ins with the regulation. Whereas he did try a comeback, it was unsuccessful, and his profession by no means recovered.

12.

Iggy Azalea regarded like she was going to change into big after the success of “Fancy.” With “Downside” and “Black Widow,” Azalea proved she wasn’t only a one-hit marvel. However her profession stalled after continued accusations of racism and profiting off of Black tradition — together with utilizing a “Blaccent” — in addition to her perceived incapacity to freestyle and public feuds. She finally canceled her debut tour. She continued to make music however acknowledged her profession had “fallen off a cliff” and by no means returned to her “Fancy” stage of success.

13.

CeeLo Inexperienced went massively viral together with his hit track “Fuck You” in 2010, which was adopted by a stint guest-hosting on The Voice, together with performing on the Tremendous Bowl halftime present. However allegations of drugging and sexually assaulting a girl in 2012 derailed his profession earlier than he might change into an A-Record star.

Rape expenses weren’t filed on account of an absence of proof, and his expenses have been diminished to supplying Ecstasy to the lady. Inexperienced pled no contest and was sentenced to a few years of probation. Inexperienced might have continued his profession — his lawyer claimed the encounter was consensual — however then he took to Twitter to write issues corresponding to “If somebody is handed out they don’t seem to be even WITH you consciously! so WITH Implies consent” and “Individuals who have actually been raped REMEMBER!!!”

Inexperienced give up The Voice (reportedly believing he’d be fired, although he later mentioned, “I ran my course there simply naturally”), and his actuality present, The Good Life, was canceled. Inexperienced remains to be round immediately, however not even near the diploma of his early 2010s fame.

14.

Ben Hopkins of Pwr Bttm additionally noticed their profession derailed by sexual misconduct allegations. Simply because the group was gaining traction, days earlier than the discharge of their second album, Hopkins was accused of being a sexual predator. Their label dropped them, streaming platforms eliminated their music, and their upcoming tour was canceled. Hopkins says the nameless accusations are false and finally launched music as a solo artist in 2020 after taking a break from the general public eye. Nonetheless, they’ve but to launch a brand new album or make a full comeback.

15.

One other instance? Mystikal, who had steadily risen in fame over the ’90s and early 2000s. In 2003, he appeared on prime of the world, gaining his first-ever Album of the 12 months Grammy nomination and starring within the movie 13 Lifeless Males. Nonetheless, in early 2004, he was convicted of sexual battery and sentenced to 6 years in jail.

Mystikal tried to make a comeback when he was launched in 2010 and located some success in early performances. Nonetheless, he continued to have run-ins with the regulation, being accused of rape and home battery, amongst different expenses, and he’s at the moment going through a life sentence (he pled not responsible to all expenses, and his former legal professional proclaimed his innocence). He has not launched a solo album since 2001.

16.

Canadian-Chinese language singer Kris Wu rose to fame via the Canadian-Korean boy band Exo earlier than discovering main success as a solo artist. He additionally made waves as an actor, showing in the Vin Diesel movie XXX: Return of Xander Cage, and appeared poised to interrupt into the American market. However in 2021, the 30-year-old Wu was accused of sexual assault of a 17-year-old two years prior. He denied the allegations however was arrested and finally sentenced to 13 years in jail, a conviction which was upheld upon enchantment.

17.

One other musician whose profession was derailed by jail time is Tory Lanez. Lanez was a rising star who was discovering mainstream success within the late 2010s — after which he was accused of capturing Megan Thee Stallion in 2020. He was finally convicted and sentenced to 10 years in jail. Time will inform if he makes an attempt to make a comeback after that.

18.

Regardless of authorized bother, 6ix9ine shot to fame shortly within the late 2010s, however his involvement with the 9 Trey gang led to his arrest in 2018 on racketeering, theft, and firearm expenses. He was finally sentenced to two years in jail after testifying in opposition to different 9 Trey members, resulting in him being labeled a “snitch” and primarily ruining his credibility in hip-hop.

19.

Keri Hilson had a wildly profitable debut album and continued that success together with her second album. However she by no means reached the profession highs that have been anticipated for her — due partially to her allegedly shading Beyoncé and Ciara in just a few lyrics in her 2009 track “Turnin’ Me On” (which Hilson denied). Hilson continued to face what she known as “verbal abuse” from Beyoncé followers for years and ended up taking a years-long break from music, later revealing she was coping with melancholy and the grief of her father’s passing. She nonetheless has not launched one other album.

Hilson finally alleged her label had instructed her to diss Beyoncé, saying she was too younger and insecure to refuse. She says she’s since made up with Beyoncé.

20.

Fiona Apple was an ingenue when her debut album was launched to widespread acclaim, however public opinion turned swiftly in opposition to her when she gained the MTV Video Music Award for Finest New Artist. She obtained up on stage and mentioned she hadn’t ready a speech, then famously mentioned, “This world is bullshit, and also you should not mannequin your life … about what you suppose that we expect is cool and what we’re sporting and what we’re saying and the whole lot.” Apple was labeled afterward — in her personal phrases — a “brat bitch free cannon.”

She later mentioned she felt like a “sellout” when she gained and have become “a paper doll to be able to be accepted.” Her notorious speech, together with storming offstage throughout a present in 2000, led her to be seen as “unstable,” which adopted her for her complete profession. Whereas Apple has continued to have an acclaimed, Grammy-award-winning profession, she by no means once more reached her pre-2000 industrial heights.

21.

Pop duo Karmin had simply begun to seek out mainstream success (after making a reputation for themselves with YouTube covers) with their 2012 EP Hiya. Nonetheless, their efficiency on SNL that very same 12 months is broadly cited as one of many worst SNL performances of all time. This successfully killed their momentum, and so they ended up disbanding the group and beginning a brand new music endeavor, Qveen Herby.

22.

Whereas Robin Thicke was round for years earlier than “Blurred Traces,” the track catapulted him into international superstardom, and he grew to become a family identify, getting nominated for his first non-production-related Grammy in 2014. However his efficiency of the track with Miley Cyrus on the 2013 VMAs generated vital controversy, as did the lyrics and music video for Thicke’s track (Thicke additionally misplaced a lawsuit in regards to the track’s similarities to Marvin Gaye’s “Bought to Give It Up”).

Thicke might have been capable of save his profession — however his extremely publicized divorce and ensuing album targeted on getting his spouse again, which was a large essential failure, cemented his ousting from the music A-list. His subsequent album wasn’t till 2021 and didn’t cement a comeback for Thicke.

23.

Within the early 2010s, Azealia Banks appeared poised for an extended profession within the music enterprise, however since then, her outspoken Twitter rants and feuds have meant that she’s extra well-known for her controversial on-line presence than her music. Whereas she nonetheless performs, she definitely has not achieved the extent of mainstream success she may need.

24.

Marilyn Manson rose to fame within the ’90s as a controversial rock singer and has remained well-known for the previous few many years — however issues took a significant flip in 2021 when his ex-fiancée Evan Rachel Wooden accused him of sexual assault and abuse. Different girls shortly got here ahead with their very own allegations in opposition to Manson, and Manson’s label and company dropped him.

Manson denied all allegations and sued Wooden for defamation and persuading different girls to lie about him, however the go well with failed, and he was later ordered to pay Wooden’s authorized charges. In the meantime, he was additionally accused of sexual assault of a minor again within the ’90s final 12 months (he pled no contest) and was sentenced to group service for a misdemeanor assault of a videographer in 2019.

In gentle of the wave of accusations and turning public opinion (Rolling Stone known as him a “monster hiding in plain sight” in 2021), it appears unlikely Manson’s profession will recuperate, although some girls’s instances have been dismissed or settled, and one sufferer recanted (a decide determined the sufferer’s new statements wouldn’t be used as proof). He has not launched music or appeared in movie and tv since 2021, and simply days in the past, a decide dominated to not toss a lawsuit by a girl accusing Manson of abuse when she was underage.

25.

R. Kelly has been dogged by sexual abuse allegations all through most of his profession, however that did not appear to cease his large ranges of success — till 2017 when a BuzzFeed Information report about an alleged intercourse cult led to resurfaced allegations that he’d had intercourse with minors and abused girls.

Public opinion of Kelly started to drastically shift, with protests exterior his concert events and studio, and Spotify, Apple Music, and Pandora releasing statements that they’d cease selling his music — many members of Kelly’s private crew additionally give up. 2019’s six-episode docuseries Surviving R. Kelly additional tarnished the star’s fame, inflicting Kelly’s file firm to drop him and upcoming reveals to be canceled.

Quickly after, Kelly was hit with aggravated legal sexual abuse and assault expenses in opposition to a minor, in addition to intercourse trafficking and intercourse work expenses, and he was later discovered responsible and sentenced to 30 years in jail. In one other trial, he was discovered responsible of kid sexual abuse and pornography and sentenced to twenty years in jail (which — apart from one — might be served concurrently together with his 30-year sentence). Kelly is at the moment serving out his sentence.

26.

Chris Brown skilled a significant fall from grace after he was arrested on suspicion of constructing legal threats following a pre-Grammys get together he attended with then-girlfriend Rihanna. He was finally sentenced to 5 years of probation and group service, as nicely as home violence counseling. He later admitted to hitting Rihanna in his automotive throughout an argument.

Images of a bruised and injured Rihanna ignited public hatred of Brown, and his subsequent album, Graffiti, bought notably worse than his prior album (it additionally was critically panned). He misplaced endorsement offers, and a number of celebrities spoke out in opposition to him.

Nonetheless, Brown is without doubt one of the examples from this checklist whose profession made a reasonably full restoration. His subsequent album, F.A.M.E., debuted at no 1 on the Billboard 200 chart, which was his first album to take action. He nonetheless stays profitable, although it is true that there are nonetheless those that consider he does not should be. The truth is, Brown complained final 12 months about individuals who “nonetheless hate” him for his “mistake.”

27.

Gary Glitter loved a decades-long profession as a glam rock artist within the UK, and his legacy appeared general cemented till he was arrested within the late ’90s on youngster intercourse picture expenses. He was discovered responsible and sentenced to solely 4 months in jail, however his profession by no means recovered. He moved to Cuba, then Cambodia, and afterward Vietnam, the place he was convicted of sexual abuse in 2016. Glitter claimed the fees have been a conspiracy and that he was harmless. He was sentenced to a few years in jail however was deported to the UK after two and a half.

He had initially deliberate a comeback, however this by no means materialized. In 2015, he was sentenced to a different 16 years in jail for sexual abuse from the ’70s and ’80s. He was launched early in 2023, then incarcerated once more a month later after violating license circumstances.

28.

Singer-songwriter Ryan Adams, who was well-known for championing younger feminine artists’ careers, was accused by a number of girls (together with ex-wife Mandy Moore) in 2017 of “dangling profession alternatives whereas concurrently pursuing feminine artists for intercourse.” If the ladies refused, he allegedly grew offended and resorted to emotional and verbal abuse in addition to harassment. Adams did apologize however didn’t particularly affirm the allegations. “I’m absolutely accountable for my dangerous habits, and can be for my actions transferring ahead,” he wrote in a public apology. He was additionally investigated for an alleged on-line sexual relationship with a minor, however expenses weren’t filed.

Adams’s profession suffered significantly, with Adams releasing his subsequent two albums via his personal label (the albums didn’t chart in America or England) and taking to social media with determined pleas for labels to signal him. “I simply actually need a second probability to make some music — perhaps assist different folks consider you possibly can stand up out of the gutter and be one thing,” he wrote, saying he was near changing into homeless.

In 2022, Adams carried out a sold-out present at Carnegie Corridor however didn’t invite any journalists. He employed a brand new crew, together with crisis-PR specialist Howard Bragman, who spoke to Selection, saying, “We wish to present that he has an actual crew behind him that believes in him and helps him, and that he is placing a life collectively. We wish folks to note, and in the event that they wish to transfer ahead with him, this is the place we’re.” He is launched eleven albums since – together with 4 on a single day — that didn’t obtain a lot consideration.

29.

Nick Carter rose to prominence within the ’90s with boy band the Backstreet Boys. He then launched into a profitable solo profession, however issues took a flip for Carter in 2017. After a report that Carter had allegedly sexually assaulted a fan in 2006, former Dream member Melissa Schuman wrote a weblog put up accusing Carter of sexually assaulting her in 2003 and later sued him for sexual assault and battery.

In 2022, Shannon Ruth additionally sued Carter for sexual battery for an alleged incident from 2001. Following all of the allegations, ABC canceled a vacation particular with the Backstreet Boys. Carter, for his half, has denied all allegations. He toured this 12 months and introduced a brand new album, so time will inform if he is capable of make a comeback.

30.

One other worldwide musician who ruined his personal profession with alleged sexual assault was Sigur Rós drummer Orri Páll Dýrason. Artist Meagan Boyd accused Dýrason in an Instagram put up of raping her in 2013. Dýrason denied the allegations however shortly left the band, writing on Fb, “I’ll do something in my energy to get myself out of this nightmare, however out of respect for these truly affected by sexual violence, I cannot take that struggle public.”

Dýrason by no means rejoined the band, which struggled within the wake of the allegations and in addition a tax evasion case, however lastly launched one other album in June — with out Dýrason and including again in previous keyboardist Kjartan “Kjarri” Sveinsson. Dýrason appears to have all however vanished from the general public eye.

31.

Trey Songz has an extended historical past of being accused of sexual assault, home violence, disorderly conduct, and aggravated assault over time (in addition to sexual intimidation by Keke Palmer),* nevertheless it appeared like the general public and the business largely ignored these allegations. WNBA participant Dylan Gonzalez’s 2022 allegations appeared to show the tide, with two extra sexual assault allegations following, together with a rape case that was initially dismissed as a result of it was previous the statute of limitations however has since been refiled. Songz finally settled.

On this second occasion, the place a girl claims Songz groped her and pulled her bra off in public, she is in search of $10 million. Songz additionally accepted a plea deal for a bodily assault cost. With no new album on the horizon, it appears unlikely Songz’s profession will recuperate anytime quickly — particularly as a result of every time he’s talked about within the press, it’s normally in relation to continued backlash.

32.

Lastly, Ashlee Simpson additionally largely ruined her profession after being caught lip-syncing on Saturday Evening Stay in 2004. When the improper monitor started to play (the identical one she’d already carried out), Simpson didn’t sing however did a wierd dance. She later blamed the band earlier than saying she’d misplaced her voice on account of acid reflux disorder and was ordered by docs to not sing.

The singer’s profession did proceed, nevertheless it was positively affected and didn’t see the identical momentum because it had pre-scandal. Her second album did not promote even near in addition to the primary, and a 2005 Orange Bowl efficiency noticed her getting booed by the gang. Whereas Simpson did find yourself showing on SNL once more, lately, she is probably greatest identified for the lip-syncing incident over any of her music.