Hollywood thrives on drama — both on and off the screen. In an industry where public image can make or break a career, smear campaigns have long been a controversial tactic for undermining competitors, settling scores, or shaping narratives. Here are some of the biggest Hollywood smear campaigns that have happened over the years:
The Joan Crawford vs. Bette Davis Feud
The legendary feud between Joan Crawford and Bette Davis reached its peak during the filming of What Ever Happened to Baby Jane? Studio executives tried to exploit the tension for publicity, but the smear tactics — which included leaking unflattering stories to the press — only made both stars more sympathetic to fans. In fact, the resulting public curiosity turned the film into a box-office success.
The Sony Email Hacks
When private Sony emails were leaked back in 2014, revealing unflattering comments about major Hollywood figures, the studio hoped to shift the narrative by subtly discrediting the whistleblowers. Instead, the hack exposed internal sexism and racism, prompting public outcry and forcing Sony to reckon with its corporate culture.
Tom Cruise and the “Oprah Couch” Incident
After Tom Cruise’s infamous couch-jumping moment on The Oprah Winfrey Show, PR teams for rival studios allegedly tried to fuel the narrative that Cruise was unstable. However, the backlash against the smear campaign made fans question why Cruise — a successful actor — was being targeted. His career eventually recovered, with the Mission: Impossible franchise cementing his status as a box-office titan.
Taylor Swift’s “Reputation Era”
After Kim Kardashian released recordings of Taylor Swift’s conversation with Kanye West in 2016, the internet labeled her a liar and snake. Critics assumed her career was over, but Swift leaned into the controversy. In fact, she released the album Reputation, which addressed the drama head-on.
Blacklisting During the McCarthy Era
In the 1940s and 1950s, the House Un-American Activities Committee’s crusade against alleged communists in Hollywood led to widespread blacklisting. But, while the intent was to destroy careers, the backlash against these smear tactics eventually birthed a counterculture movement.
Angelina Jolie vs. Jennifer Aniston
The tabloid-fueled narrative of Angelina Jolie “stealing” Brad Pitt from Jennifer Aniston led to years of vitriol aimed at Jolie. However, as Jolie’s humanitarian work gained recognition, public perception shifted in her favor. The smear campaign not only failed but also highlighted how often women are pitted against each other in the media.
Harvey Weinstein’s “Damage Control”
When allegations of sexual misconduct against Harvey Weinstein surfaced, his team allegedly tried to smear the credibility of his accusers. Instead, the campaign backfired spectacularly, leading to the rise of the #MeToo movement and Weinstein’s downfall.
The “Don’t Worry Darling” Drama
The lead-up to Olivia Wilde’s Don’t Worry Darling was overshadowed by behind-the-scenes drama, including rumors of feuds between Wilde and actors Florence Pugh and Harry Styles. However, attempts to discredit Pugh for not participating in promotional events only made audiences more curious about the film.
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Johnny Depp and Amber Heard’s Legal Battles
The legal battle between Johnny Depp and Amber Heard was full of accusations, counter-accusations, and intense media coverage. Both parties were the subjects of smear campaigns, with Depp losing lucrative roles and Heard facing online harassment.
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Megan Fox’s Reputation
Megan Fox’s rise to fame in the Transformers franchise was accompanied by accusations that she was difficult to work with. Director Michael Bay and others allegedly contributed to this narrative, which unfortunately derailed Fox’s career.
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Blake Lively Sues Justin Baldoni
Blake Lively just sued her It Ends with Us co-star and director, Justin Baldoni for sexual harassment. Lively’s complaint details instances of unwanted physical contact and inappropriate behavior on-set, as well as accuses Baldoni of orchestrating a smear campaign to damage her reputation after she reported his misconduct.
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