The juicy details that emerge in a celebrity trial make them must-watch TV. Alec Baldwin, O.J. Simpson, Michael Jackson, and Johnny Depp. But there’s more. Here are the 10 most notorious celebrity trials no one can forget.
10. Ashley Judd & Rose McGowan vs. Harvey Weinstein
In October 2017, the New York Times published an article that detailed numerous allegations of sexual assault by movie mogul Harvey Weinstein. It included claims by actresses Ashley Judd and Rosie McGown. The article drove the #MeToo movement. In February 2020, Weinstein was convicted of rape and sexual assault, and sentenced to 23 years in prison.
9. Kendall Jenner vs. Gregory Messer
Kendall Jenner has dealt with several lawsuits, but the most publicized was between her and U.S. Bankruptcy Court trustee Gregory Messer. Jenner was charged with falsely promoting the Fyre Festival, a 2017 music event that never happened. Jenner was paid $275,000 to endorse the event. She eventually paid $90,000 to settle the suit.
8. Lindsay Lohan vs. E-Trade
In 2010, Lindsay Lohan filed a $100 million lawsuit against E-Trade for using her name in a television ad without her permission. The company played a commercial during the Super Bowl that featured a “milkaholic” baby named Lindsay. She claimed the company mocked her drug and alcohol-related problems. Six months later, the lawsuit was withdrawn. The terms remain confidential.
7. Gwyneth Paltrow (Goop) vs. The State of California
Goop, a lifestyle and wellness company founded by Gwyneth Paltrow, was sued by California for making unsubstantiated claims about the health benefits of some of its products. Paltrow lost the case and Goop paid nearly $150,000. They were also ordered to refund customers who purchased Goop’s “quartz eggs” between January 12, 2017 and August 31, 2017.
6. Travis Scott vs. Astroworld Attendees
In November 2021, ten attendees of Travis Scott’s Astroworld music festival died from compression asphyxia in the crowded arena. Lawsuits were filed against the singer, as well as Live Nation and Apple. In May 2024, the final wrongful death lawsuit was settled. Nonetheless, there were thousands of personal injury complaints. About 2,400 of those cases are still pending.
5. Britney Spears vs. Jamie Spears
In 2008, Spears was involuntarily placed under a conservatorship with her father Jamie Spears as a conservator. Shortly after, twice, she was hospitalized for involuntary psychiatric evaluations. In 2020, Britney’s fans started the #FreeBritney movement. In 2021, the conservatorship was officially terminated. The case underscores the need for conservatorship and human rights reform in the US.
4. Johnny Depp vs. Amber Heard
Johnny Depp’s ex-wife, Amber Heard, accused him of domestic abuse and he sued her for defamation. She filed a countersuit alleging the same. In the end, Heard was found liable for all three defamation claims. She was ordered to pay Depp $15 million. Depp was found liable on one charge of defamation and ordered to pay Heard $2 million.
3. Michael Jackson vs. The State of California
In 2005, Michael Jackson was charged in a lawsuit claiming he sexually abused a child. In 1993, Jackson had been charged in another lawsuit with similar claims that were settled at the time. On June 13, 2005, Jackson was found not guilty of all charges. Nonetheless, wide speculation about Jackson never subsided.
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2. Alec Baldwin vs. The State of New Mexico
On October 21, 2021, Alec Baldwin discharged a prop gun on the set of the film “Rust” injuring director Joel Souza and killing cinematographer Halyna Hutchins. A grand jury charged Baldwin with involuntary manslaughter. His attorney accused the grand jury of misconduct. At the time of this writing, the trial was still in progress and the outcome remains to be seen.
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1. O.J. Simpson vs. The State of California
Over 100 million people watched as O.J. Simpson was found not guilty at the end of his televised criminal trial. He was accused of murdering his ex-wife Nicole Brown Simpson and her friend Ronald Goldman on June 12, 1994. Simpson was later found liable in a civil trial and ordered to pay the relatives of Brown and Goldman $33.5 million. Simpson never paid in any meaningful way.
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