The Top 10 Hollywood Scandals Since #MeToo That Shocked No One

Explore the unsurprising Top 10 Hollywood scandals post #MeToo with our revealing insights. Shock-free, yet utterly compelling—dive in now!

Behind the glimmering façade of Hollywood's glossy veneer and bright lights lies a much darker world, one filled with instances of sexual assaults, exploitation, abuse and defenseless victims forced into silence.

As movements like #MeToo slowly rip the veil off the industry’s dark undercurrents, haunting realities within the entertainment industry will keep coming to light.

Will you be surprised? You shouldn’t be. 

Here are the Top 10 Sordid Hollywood Scandals unmasked since #MeToo that have shocked almost no one:

Harvey Weinstein

Once a much respected—and feared—figure in the film world, Harvey Weinstein’s 2020 trial for rape and sexual assault sent seismic shockwaves throughout both Hollywood and the world. To the surprise of few Hollywood insiders, over 80 women came forth with accusations revealing a decades-long pattern of abuse and manipulation. When the court handed down a 23-year prison sentence for the disgraced former producer, it became a landmark event symbolizing accountability for abuse of power.

Shia LaBeouf

Actor Shia LaBeouf gained headlines recently as the target of a sexual battery and verbal abuse lawsuit by his former partner, singer FKA Twigs. Insiders who remember his troubled past including a 2015 video of LaBeouf fighting with then-girlfriend Mia Goth were certainly not surprised.

According to a 12/2020 article in Variety, his “bizarre timeline of erratic behavior and stints in rehab” had already caused many studios “to distance themselves from him.”

Recently appearing on the “Real Ones with Jon Bernthal” podcast, LaBeouf described himself as a “pleasure-seeking, selfish, self-centered, dishonest, inconsiderate, fearful human being,” adding that he plans to “make amends” for the rest of his life. In spite of that admission, there’s no news about how or whether those amends might include Twigs. Trial date has been delayed to 2024.

Bill Cosby

Who didn’t love comedian Bill Cosby? In the role of Clifford Huxtable, he was “America’s Dad,” an admired family man and the ultimate laugh master.

But in 2018, when Cosby was accused of drugging and sexually assaulting former athlete Andrea Constand, his reputation suddenly tanked. Cosby immediately proclaimed his innocence.

But then, thanks to movements like #MeToo, over 60 women came forth to accuse Cosby of a variety of offenses—groping, sexual assault and rape—dating back to the 1960s. Cosby, denying guilt in not just the Constand suit but in all the allegations coming to light, was sentenced to three to ten years in prison but got an early release in 2021 after Pennsylvania’s highest court overturned his conviction. Still unanswered is why Hollywood turned a blind eye to all those sexual abuse accusations over the previous 4 or 5 decades. 

Chris Brown

This R&B singer has quite a rap sheet of assaults against women, averaging more than one incident a year over the past ten years. Despite this, he keeps working in the industry. Asked why that is, a number of industry insiders simply point to his music: “He’s that good.” That tells you a lot about not just the music industry, but the entire entertainment industry. If you’re talented and powerful, you get lots of slack. It’s the same kind of thinking that keeps celebrities like Shia LaBeouf and others on this list working regularly rather than being shunned.

Danny Masterson

Sentenced in February 2023 to 20 years in prison for 2 accounts of sexual assault in separate incidents, That ‘70s Show’s Danny Masterson still maintains his innocence. It’s interesting to note that, prior to sentencing, Masterson was released from a 20-year relationship with his Hollywood talent agency and ousted from his job on The Ranch, a Netflix production.

Sometimes the industry does the right thing.  

R. Kelly

Justice finally caught up with this famous R&B singer when he was sentenced to 20 years on federal child pornography and enticement charges, to be served concurrently with a 30-year sentence imposed previously on a racketeering charge. Kelly was a powerful figure in the music industry, a singer, songwriter and record producer. His success earned him the tag “King of R&B.” Not exactly the kind of person you’d want to confront, but with the #MeToo movement gaining traction, victims stepped forward and charges were filed.

Kelly will be around 80 years old when released. Justice served.

Justin Roiland

Co-creator of Rick and Morty Show Justin Roiland was accused of domestic violence against “Jane Doe,” but charges were dropped in March 2023 by the District Attorney due to “insufficient evidence.” Roiland was facing up to seven years and huge fines if convicted. This was no doubt a relief for Roiland—until several other women came out with all-new sexual assault allegations against him. Roiland, no longer with the Rick and Morty Show, has denied all of these allegations, saying people were trying to cancel him.

Mario Batali

Was Celebrity Chef Mario Batali cooking up more in his kitchen than fine food? Batali was one of the best known chefs in the country, rubbing elbows with other celebrity chefs like Anthony Bourdain and Anne Burrell, in addition to publishing over 20 cookbooks. But it all started to fall apart for him when former employees in his restaurant claimed he was being overly familiar with them, saying sexually suggestive things, becoming “touchy feely” or worse. #MeToo got involved, a trial took place, and the chef was acquitted in May, 2022 for lack of evidence.

In the kitchens of celebrity chefs, the white-jacketed master rules supreme and no one can oppose him. All too often, this conjures up the perfect recipe for abuse.

Andy Dick

At one time, comedian Andy Dick was riding high in the world of Hollywood night clubs and network television shows. He played lovable nerdy characters on several hit TV series, and was a headliner at some of the best local comedy clubs. Fame came quickly to him, but then his demons grabbed him. His name in the headlines was increasingly succeeded by the word “arrested.” In 2018, he was charged with sexual battery. This was after he had been dismissed from the film “Raising Buchanan” due to accusations of sexual harassment.

James Franco

Actor James Franco is another example of a successful Hollywood star, praised for his talented performances in film and television, who earned an Oscar nomination and opened his own acting school. He was certainly in a position of influence, so when allegations of sexual misconduct were made in 2019, he found himself accused of sexually charged behavior toward female students. The case was settled out of court.

Later, Franco allegedly admitted: “I did sleep with students.”

The Hollywood Dilemma: Power Corrupts

Abuse of power, often manifested in sexual coercion and assault, has always been Hollywood’s Achilles’ heel. Having wealth and influence can change those fortunate (unfortunate?) enough to have it.

As long as powerful men and women force their will upon the less powerful, and as long as the less powerful do not resist, Hollywood’s dilemma will continue.

Fortunately, with support and inspiration from groups like #MeToo and others, the weak are starting to fight back. Stay tuned.