Were These Celebs Unfairly Canceled?

A viral Reddit thread has sparked discussion about celebrities who were “unfairly canceled” or publicly mistreated—and many of the names being shared are reminders of how public perception can shift dramatically over time.

Among the most frequently mentioned: Brendan Fraser, once sidelined after accusing a former Hollywood Foreign Press Association president of sexual assault. At the time, Fraser said the alleged groping left him feeling isolated and blacklisted. Years later, his emotional comeback in “The Whale” reignited his career and reminded fans just how much they missed him.

Another figure who never quite got the recognition he deserved in his lifetime is Richard Jewell. Jewell was the security guard at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics who discovered a bomb and helped evacuate the area—only to become a suspect himself. The media piled on. The FBI’s investigation left his reputation in tatters. He was eventually exonerated, but the damage lingered. Jewell died in 2007 at just 44 years old.

Janet Jackson’s inclusion on the list is no surprise to those who recall the now-infamous 2004 Super Bowl Halftime Show. When Justin Timberlake exposed her breast during a choreographed move gone wrong, Jackson bore the brunt of the backlash. Timberlake’s career continued to soar; Jackson’s took a hit that some say she never fully recovered from.

Irish singer Sinéad O’Connor also made the list, remembered for her bold and controversial protest on “Saturday Night Live” in 1992. When she tore up a photo of Pope John Paul II to protest sexual abuse in the Catholic Church, she was met with fierce condemnation. But time has vindicated her message, if not the moment.

The Dixie Chicks—now just The Chicks—faced swift and brutal blowback after criticizing President George W. Bush and the Iraq War during a 2003 concert in London. At the time, the backlash in the country music world was overwhelming, but their stance has since been viewed by many as principled rather than polarizing.

Lastly, the thread showed love for Rebecca Black, who became a viral sensation—and punchline—at just 13 when her music video for “Friday” exploded online in 2011. While the song itself may have been easy to mock, many now admit the ridicule she faced was disproportionate, especially for a teenager just chasing her dreams.