The entertainment industry has already delivered plenty of chaos this year, leaving several celebrities having a rough 2026 as they navigate backlash, controversy, lawsuits, public scrutiny, and painful personal struggles. While some stars are attempting major comebacks, others are facing criticism and problems that simply refuse to fade away. From legal troubles and relationship breakdowns to health scares and resurfaced scandals, 2026 has shown just how quickly fortunes can change when fame, personal struggles, and public scrutiny collide.
Celebrities 2026 Has Placed Under Heavy Scrutiny
The list of celebrities having a rough 2026 continues to grow as legal battles, health scares and painful breakups pile up.
Jared Leto
Jared Leto faced renewed scrutiny in July when a BBC investigation brought a new wave of sexual misconduct allegations against the Oscar-winning actor and Thirty Seconds to Mars frontman. The July 29 documentary, “Jared Leto: Hollywood’s Dark Secret,” featured 10 women discussing alleged encounters with Leto between 2002 and 2016. Four accused him of criminal sexual conduct when they were teenagers or young adults. Reuters reported that the allegations included sexual assault, statutory rape and sexually explicit communications with minors. The BBC said it corroborated accounts using interviews with friends and relatives as well as photographs and messages.
Leto categorically denied the accusations, saying, “I have never sexually assaulted anyone in my entire life.”
The allegations have not resulted in new criminal charges. TMZ reported on July 30 that the LAPD had no open cases involving Leto, while the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department said it had no pending investigations. Prosecutors confirmed that a separate case presented in 2019 did not result in charges because of insufficient evidence and the alleged victim being unavailable at the time.
Tyra Banks
Tyra Banks’ 2026 became more complicated when her legal battle with Netflix over “Reality Check: Inside America’s Next Top Model” intensified. Banks sued Netflix and the documentary’s producers in June, accusing them of defamation and claiming her roughly three-and-a-half-hour interview was edited down to about 16 minutes in a way that created a misleading portrayal. According to Variety, her lawsuit disputes how the documentary presented her involvement in some of the reality show’s controversial moments.
Netflix fought back in August with a motion to dismiss and an anti-SLAPP motion. ABC News reported that the streamer argues Banks had signed an agreement acknowledging she would have no approval over the finished documentary. Banks’ attorney rejected Netflix’s position and challenged the company to release her full interview, leaving both sides battling over whether the documentary’s editing crossed the line into defamation.
Shia LaBeouf Joins the Celebrities Having a Rough 2026
Shia LaBeouf’s legal troubles continued into the summer after his February Mardi Gras arrest in New Orleans. On June 3, the actor pleaded guilty to three counts of simple battery and received suspended jail time and two years of probation. He was also ordered to undergo substance-abuse treatment and maintain sobriety.
By August, however, court documents raised questions about his progress. An Orleans Parish Criminal District Court report filed Aug. 19 said LaBeouf had “self-reported drinking alcohol daily,” according to E! News. The documents also showed that he submitted proof of completing anger-management and substance-abuse treatment but declined mental-health treatment.
LaBeouf previously acknowledged relapsing after nine months of sobriety and described his behavior surrounding the Mardi Gras incident as unacceptable. His next court date is scheduled for Sept. 23, although a notation in the filing says he isn’t expected to appear because he will be working on a movie.
Lionel Richie
Lionel Richie’s summer brought two health scares that interrupted an otherwise busy touring schedule. On June 24, the 77-year-old singer became dizzy during the opening night of his tour with Earth, Wind & Fire in St. Paul, Minnesota. Videos showed Richie performing while seated before he eventually cut his set short.
Doctors advised him to rest, leading to the postponement of concerts scheduled for June 26 and 27 in Chicago and Columbus. Richie recovered sufficiently to return to the stage on June 30 for a performance in Pittsburgh.
Two months later, another health concern emerged. After appearing unwell during his Aug. 29 concert in St. Louis, Richie checked himself into a hospital out of an abundance of caution. He spent three days there while undergoing precautionary testing before returning home. ABC News confirmed on Sept. 2 that the music legend was back home and recovering.
Ariana Grande
Ariana Grande’s summer brought both a breakup and a decision to retreat from the spotlight. In June, news emerged that the singer and her “Wicked” co-star Ethan Slater had ended their nearly three-year relationship, with a source describing the split as amicable.
Then in July, Grande sued unidentified defendants she accused of hacking her collaborators’ accounts and stealing unreleased music and private material. By August, another major change was announced: Grande planned to step back from public-facing work after completing her tour.
A representative told PEOPLE that Grande wanted a break from the “endless, ongoing public scrutiny” surrounding her. She closed her 41-date tour at London’s O2 Arena on Sept. 1, delivering an emotional farewell to fans. The Associated Press reported that it remains unclear when Grande will resume regular public appearances, although the break doesn’t amount to a retirement from her career.
Custody Battle Puts Rumer Willis Among Celebrities Having a Rough 2026
Rumer Willis’ custody battle with former partner Derek Richard Thomas intensified as summer drew to a close. In an emergency request filed in August, Willis accused Thomas of violating their existing custody arrangement and asked the court to continue supervised visits with their 3-year-old daughter, Louetta. Thomas disputed the allegations through his attorney, who accused Willis of making false claims and interfering with his relationship with their daughter.
PEOPLE reported on Sept. 2 that a judge partially granted Willis’ emergency request, allowing supervised visitation to remain in place. The parties must mutually agree on the person supervising the visits or use a professional supervisor if they cannot reach an agreement. Thomas’ attorney described the ruling as provisional because it followed an expedited process and continued to dispute Willis’ claims. The matter isn’t settled yet, with another court hearing scheduled for Sept. 10.
Simon Cowell Is Among the Celebrities Having a Rough 2026
Simon Cowell found himself facing an unusual business dispute in August involving an alleged multimillion-dollar agreement said to have started with terms written on a napkin. According to court documents cited by RTÉ, lawyer and former Cowell business adviser Ian Rosenblatt brought a claim against the entertainment mogul in London’s High Court. Rosenblatt is seeking an agreed percentage of a confidential business deal completed in 2025 or, alternatively, £100,000 in damages for alleged breach of contract.
Rosenblatt began advising Cowell in 2018 and, according to the filing, assisted with transactions that ultimately left the “America’s Got Talent” judge with full ownership of Syco Entertainment in 2020. The agreement at the heart of the lawsuit allegedly originated during a 2022 dinner, when its terms were written on a napkin that Rosenblatt says Cowell signed. The arrangement was allegedly formalized in writing the following year. As of RTÉ’s Aug. 7 report, Cowell had yet to file a defense, leaving Rosenblatt’s claims unproven.
Annemarie and Marcellus Wiley’s Split Puts Them on the List of Celebrities Having a Rough 2026
Annemarie Wiley’s summer has been dominated by the collapse of her 12-year marriage to former NFL player Marcellus Wiley and the custody dispute that followed. The former “Real Housewives of Beverly Hills” cast member filed for divorce on July 6, two days after Marcellus was arrested in Florida on suspicion of domestic battery. She subsequently sought a restraining order and made additional allegations of physical, sexual and emotional abuse during their marriage. Marcellus has denied her accusations.
A judge initially granted Annemarie temporary sole custody of their three children and barred Marcellus from contacting the family. The situation later shifted. According to Us Weekly, the estranged spouses reached a temporary parenting agreement in July allowing Marcellus scheduled time with their children while the restraining order remained in place. The divorce and custody proceedings are continuing, meaning the end of their marriage remains an active legal dispute even as their temporary parenting arrangements evolve.
Marcellus Wiley
Marcellus Wiley’s July arrest initially appeared likely to become a criminal case, but the situation changed significantly in August. The former NFL player was arrested in Orange County, Florida, on July 4 on suspicion of domestic battery following an alleged confrontation with his wife, Annemarie Wiley. He denied her allegations and was released the following day after posting a $1,000 bond.
On Aug. 10, Florida prosecutors decided not to file criminal charges against Wiley. Court records obtained by USA TODAY said the testimonial evidence wasn’t corroborated by physical or other evidence and was considered insufficient to obtain a conviction.
That decision ended the potential Florida prosecution but not Wiley’s other legal problems. Annemarie’s divorce and restraining-order proceedings in California remain separate matters, and Wiley continues to deny the abuse allegations she made in those filings. The estranged couple has also reached a temporary arrangement allowing him scheduled parenting time with their three children.
Abby Elliott
Abby Elliott’s personal life changed sharply this summer when “The Bear” actress moved to end her marriage to television writer and producer Bill Kennedy after nearly a decade. Elliott filed for divorce in Los Angeles on July 17, according to court documents obtained by PEOPLE. She cited irreconcilable differences and listed July 8 as their date of separation.
The former “Saturday Night Live” cast member requested joint legal and physical custody of their two children and spousal support. She also asked the court to deny Kennedy spousal support and order him to pay her attorney’s fees.
The financial disagreement became clearer the following month. In an Aug. 14 response obtained by TMZ, Kennedy also requested spousal support while asking that Elliott be denied it. He similarly sought joint custody and requested that Elliott cover his legal fees. With both sides seeking support from the other, money is now among the issues their divorce proceedings will have to resolve.
James DeBarge
James DeBarge found himself dealing with a new legal problem after he and his brother Chico were arrested during a late-August traffic stop in Burbank, California. There is a slight discrepancy between reports over the precise timing. PEOPLE, citing a law-enforcement source, reported that the stop occurred at approximately 11:30 p.m. on Aug. 27. NBC Los Angeles, citing Burbank police, placed it at about 1:30 a.m. the following morning.
Authorities said James was driving a Chevrolet Tahoe towing a Nissan SUV occupied by Chico when officers stopped them for vehicle-code violations. Police said narcotics were found at the scene, and both brothers were arrested on suspicion of possessing a controlled substance. Chico was additionally booked on an outstanding warrant. Neither arrest establishes guilt, and it remained unclear at the time of this report whether the brothers had entered pleas or retained attorneys.
Sydney Sweeney
Sydney Sweeney has also spent much of the year dealing with criticism surrounding her public image and career decisions. The “Euphoria” star first faced backlash after appearing in an American Eagle campaign that some viewers interpreted as containing problematic messaging.
Speaking to People in late 2025, Sweeney admitted, “I was honestly surprised by the reaction.” She added, “I did it because I love the jeans and love the brand.”
The actress also denied accusations tied to the campaign, saying, “I don’t support the views some people chose to connect to the campaign. Many have assigned motives and labels to me that just aren’t true.”
Although the controversy quieted slightly in 2026, another American Eagle campaign reopened online debates about her politics and image. Even her role in “Euphoria” has become a talking point again after viewers criticized controversial scenes involving her character Cassie.
She had a run-in with the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce for climbing on the Hollywood sign and lacing it with bras to promote her lingerie brand.
Blake Lively
Blake Lively finally settled her long-running legal battle with former co-star Justin Baldoni in May 2026 after more than a year of headlines, online arguments, and courtroom drama.
Although the lawsuit reportedly ended without Lively receiving financial compensation despite originally suing for $300 million, sources close to the actress insisted money was never the point. Speaking to People, one insider said, “For Blake Lively, this was never about money, it was about exposing bad actors who are also harming others.”
The source continued, “She didn’t settle her claims until the documents exposing the bad actors behind smear campaigns were made public — documents that have led to other lawsuits and investigations.”
They also claimed, “With this motion, she is breathing life into a groundbreaking statute designed to protect survivors from retaliatory lawsuits.”
Even though the lawsuit is over, public opinion surrounding the actress remains sharply divided online.
Terrence Howard
Terrence Howard has once again become one of Hollywood’s most talked-about celebrities because of a series of emotional and controversial interviews.
During an appearance on the PBD Podcast, Howard revisited his old Marvel fallout and claimed producer Joel Silver’s comments about salary differences triggered a heated confrontation. According to Howard, he warned Silver, “But, you have to remember that I’m a man just like you, and if you ever talk to me in that way again, I’m going to knock your teeth out of your mouth.”
Howard also made headlines after discussing disturbing details about his childhood. He revealed he was sexually active from the age of four and later described the experiences as abuse. “I lost my innocence. It’s effectively being molested,” Howard said during the interview.
Reflecting on how the experiences shaped him, the actor admitted, “I wish I had never done that. I would have been a completely different person.”
The interviews quickly spread across social media, generating debate, sympathy, and renewed attention toward Howard’s personal life and career.
Savannah Guthrie
Savannah Guthrie returned to NBC’s “Today” show this year after stepping away following the disappearance of her mother, Nancy Guthrie.
“Here we go, ready or not,” she said while returning to the program after more than two months away. Later during the broadcast, she emotionally admitted, “It’s good to be home.”
Authorities still believe Nancy Guthrie may have been abducted from her Arizona home, though investigators have released very little new information in recent weeks.
Speaking earlier about her difficult return to television, Guthrie confessed, “It’s hard to imagine doing it because it’s such a place of joy and lightness.”
She also acknowledged the emotional conflict she felt about returning, saying, “I can’t come back and try to be something that I’m not. But I can’t not come back because it’s my family.”
For many celebrities this year, the biggest struggles have not just involved careers or controversies, but deeply personal battles unfolding in front of millions of people watching online every single day.
Kanye West Didn’t Escape the List of Celebrities Having a Rough 2026
Kanye West entered 2026 attempting to repair his damaged image after years of antisemitic remarks and public controversies. In a Wall Street Journal ad, the rapper apologized for his past behavior, blaming bipolar disorder and a brain injury for his actions. “I lost touch with reality,” he said. “I regret and am deeply mortified by my actions in that state, and am committed to accountability, treatment and meaningful change.”
West also insisted, “It does not excuse what I did, though. I am not a Nazi or an antisemite. I love Jewish people.”
Still, the apology has not completely changed public perception. The United Kingdom reportedly denied him entry because of his previous comments, forcing him to postpone a planned performance in France. “After much thought and consideration, it is my sole decision to postpone my show in Marseilles, France until further notice,” West tweeted in April 2026.
He also admitted rebuilding trust would take time, writing, “I know it takes time to understand the sincerity of my commitment to make amends.” West added, “I take full responsibility for what’s mine but I don’t want to put my fans in the middle of it.”
Now after being turned down in several cities, the rapper is finally set to headline a massive concert at Istanbul’s Atatürk Olympic Stadium on May 30. Organizers are expecting nearly 120,000 fans to attend. The event, organized by ILS Vision, will feature festival-style entertainment including DJ sets, laser shows, pre- and after-parties, and performances from several Turkish artists. Organizers also teased surprise guests throughout the night, with reports suggesting Travis Scott could make an appearance, although his participation has not yet been officially confirmed. Hopefully, it’s uphill from here for the rapper to get him off this list!
With four months still left on the calendar, 2026 has already given these stars plenty of reasons to hope the rest of the year comes with fewer plot twists.
