Celebs Who Barely Take Care Of Their Own Kids
This article contains references to drug use, addiction, and child neglect.
Family problems are common, even among celebrities. In fact, it seems that stars are even more prone to these issues than the rest of the population. It probably doesn't help that their tumultuous familial relationships often make headlines. Plus, maybe The Notorious B.I.G made a fair point with his song, "Mo' Money, Mo' Problems." Indeed, the more money many of the celebrities on this list came across, the more problems they began to see. Finances seem to lead the way to many fights within celebrity families.
Within the industry, many tensions can often arise between a parent and child with a chasm of fame between them. For example, in 2019, Rihanna battled it out in court with her father, Ronald Fenty. The singer sued her dad because he used her name and fame to help his entertainment company make more money. The problem was that Rihanna didn't sign off on this. "Although Mr. Fenty is Rihanna's father, he does not have and never has had, authority to act on Rihanna's behalf," court documents stated in part, per BBC.
Rihanna and Ronald aside, there are quite a few famous parents who have had similar squabbles with their own children. Some have even distanced themselves from their kids or exited their lives altogether for a variety of reasons that don't include fame or fortune. These are some of those celebs who barely take care of their kids.
Does Tom Cruise still see his daughter Suri?
Tom Cruise spent far less time with his daughter, Suri Cruise, after he and Katie Holmes divorced following their 2012 split. The "American Made" actor was reportedly granted only 10 visitation days a month as part of his divorce from his ex-wife. However, a source told Us Weekly that the star doesn't even see his daughter for those few days out of the month.
The custody ruling may have impacted Tom's relationship with Suri, but if claims made by former Scientologist Samantha Domingo are to be believed, then there may have been other factors at play. Speaking to Us Weekly, she alleged that the Church of Scientology prohibits the actor from seeing his daughter because she's not a follower of the religion (Tom previously confirmed that Holmes and Suri are not Scientology followers in his defamation lawsuit against Bauer media). Domingo added that this rule may have stemmed from the religion's views regarding reincarnation, stating, "[They believe] Suri's not really his daughter — she's just a spiritual being in his daughter's body." A spokesperson for the church denied the allegations.
In 2016, a source claimed to In Touch magazine that the actor hadn't had any contact with his daughter for 1,000 days. Indeed, Us Weekly had reported that he was last publicly seen with her three years prior to that piece. And as of 2023, it appeared as though Cruise hadn't been publicly spotted with Suri for a decade
Kris Jenner can't keep up with the Kardashians
Kris Jenner has done a lot to make sure that most of her kids are set for life. "Keeping Up With The Kardashian" was a money-making jumping-off point that the family has gone on to use to make millions more. However, Kris has helped provide her daughters with so many opportunities it's easy to forget that her son Rob Kardashian Jr. is often left out.
As if that wasn't bad enough, Jenner may have indirectly confirmed suspicions that her son isn't her favorite child during an episode of Hulu's "The Kardashians" (via Insider). In an eyebrow-raising sequence, the mom discussed baby names with Kylie Jenner after she decided she no longer wanted to name her son Wolf. Kris listed all of her children's full monikers but she was a bit forgetful when it came to Rob's middle name. "And Robert is Robert George Kardashian," Kris said. "No, sorry, sorry, Robert Arthur Kardashian. I didn't even know my child's name. This is so confusing, can anybody keep up with this?"
Kris also faced some shocking allegations about her parenting in diary entries allegedly written by her late ex-husband Robert Kardashian Sr. In Touch first published these entries in a since-deleted article (via Page Six), in which he accused his ex-wife of having once attacked Kim Kardashian and that she once left their kids alone for several days while she pursued an affair with someone else. Kris denied the allegations.
Frances Bean Cobain filed a restraining order against Courtney Love
Frances Bean Cobain, daughter of Courtney Love and the late Kurt Cobain, hasn't always had a great relationship with her mom. In fact, Frances once had such a tumultuous relationship with her rock star mom that she filed a restraining order against her in 2009. As reported by The Fix (via Daily Mail), she once claimed that Love's drug use, poor diet, and hoarding habits had become a concern — even leading to the deaths of two pets.
"[Love] has taken drugs for as long as I can remember," Frances alleged in court. "... She often falls asleep in her bed while she is smoking, and I am constantly worried that she will start a fire — which she has done at least three times." The restraining order was filed — and ultimately granted — after the two got into a physical fight. Over time, the two appeared to have repaired their relationship. But it didn't magically happen overnight.
During a 2019 episode of RuPaul's "What's the Tee" podcast, Frances revealed that she had been furious with her mom's self-destructive behavior for a long time. "Some kids were like, 'F***k I didn't do my essay,' and I'd be like, 'F***k I had to call the paramedics to get my mom's stomach pumped last night' ... just a different set of priorities," Frances said of her adolescence. As Love chose a healthier path, she and her daughter found their way back to each other. "She's a really good person," Frances added.
If you or anyone you know needs help with addiction issues, help is available. Visit the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration website or contact SAMHSA's National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357).
Does Octomom Nadya Suleman even like babies?
Nadya Suleman became known as "Octomom" after she earned fame for carrying eight children at once. The tabloid star is actually the mother of 14 kids in total, and she's opened up about the challenges that come along with managing such a large family. The mom even faced financial hardships and had to make choices she's since revealed she isn't proud of.
In 2012, Suleman released a sex tape to bring in more money. Four years later, she told People that she regrets that decision. "I earned $8,000 from basically selling my whole soul for that little pseudo-porn experience," Suleman told the outlet. "I definitely regret that 100 percent. At the time, we were in foreclosure, we were about to be homeless, and it allowed us to move into a rental, but of course, I do regret that more than anything. But I learned. It validated and reinforced who I am not."
The sex tape isn't the only reason some people have questioned the mom's parenting abilities. She also came under fire after a controversial interview with InTouch in which she appeared to say she hated babies. Regardless, audio from the interview was leaked to the press. When asked whether she'd ever consider having more children, she responded, per Jezebel, "No. I cringe ... when I hear a baby cry and I'm outside. I do not like babies." Suleman's representative denied that she did the interview and clarified that she didn't hate her own children.
Sometimes Farrah Abraham needs a break
"Teen Mom" star Farrah Abraham often faces scrutiny for her parenting decisions. The mom made the transition from reality TV to pornography, which is one of the many things she's done that raised eyebrows. In 2013, Abraham also received backlash for taking time away from her daughter. "'It's healthy that we have a break," she once told InTouch (via Daily Mail). "She has her own life and is doing her own thing, and I'm doing mine."
The "16 & Pregnant" star also found herself at the center of a scandal after she was accused of bringing her daughter, Sophia, along with her to a club when she was only 13 years old. The mom defended herself in an interview with TMZ. "For the record, I wasn't clubbing with her," she clarified. "It was an all-ages concert and I think who better ... to go with their child to a concert than a parent? Especially when there was like Travis Scott concerts of like kids dying." Abraham went on to explain that she took time to educate her daughter on concert safety, advising her to stay away from the mosh pit and other potentially dangerous areas. It looks like the mom made a very responsible decision here, but the fact that folks thought she brought her daughter to a club says a lot about how she's perceived.
Jaid Barrymore brought Drew Barrymore to Studio 54
It might be safe to assume that Drew Barrymore's famous mom and dad don't qualify for any World's Most Responsible Parent awards. During a 2022 appearance on "The Shop," the "Never Been Kissed" star explained that her childhood was less than ideal. "My mom was bananas," she said. "My mom took me to Studio 54 ... I don't think that kids should live like adults." Attending clubs with her mom meant she'd become a serious party girl by the age of 8. Her habitual drug use ended in addiction and an 18-month hospitalization at 13.
The teenage actor then enjoyed the independence that came along with having a not-very-present mother, winning emancipation at only 14 years old. "I'll never forget the judge saying, 'You never have to go to school again,'" Drew told People. The actor's parents may have put her in some dangerous situations, but she's seemingly forgiven them. She even paid for the hospice care of her late father, John Drew Barrymore.
Speaking to People, she also revealed that the process of healing from what she endured as a child has taken time. "The more time goes by and the older I get, the less guilt and corrosive toxic shame and just absolute discomfort comes with it," the actor explained. "The more you sort of go, 'My God I'm going to be 48, when does that guilty little girl that's still so sad that I don't have this amazing nuclear relationship with my family, when does that become okay?'"
If you or anyone you know needs help with addiction issues, help is available. Visit the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration website or contact SAMHSA's National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357).
Bill Hudson disowned Kate and Oliver Hudson
Bill Hudson, who was once a vocalist in The Hudson Brothers band, is a father to five kids. That brood includes actors Kate and Oliver Hudson whom he welcomed with his famous ex-wife Goldie Hawn. Unfortunately, Kate and Bill upset their father in 2015 with Instagram posts that later led to quite a bit of tension. In the caption of a Father's Day post that featured him, Kate, and Bill, he wrote, "Happy abandonment day... [Kate Hudson]." Oliver is likely referring to the fact that he and his sister were primarily raised by their mother and stepfather, Kurt Russell.
A day earlier, Kate had shared a similar shady Father's Day post. She took to Instagram to post a photo of her and Russell with the caption, "Pa, just simply ... Thank you [clasped hands emoji]. Happy Father's Day, I love you to the moon and back [sparkle emoji]" The "Almost Famous" actor praised her stepfather but made no mention of Bill, so it might be safe to assume he wasn't very involved n her life.
Bill addressed his kids' social media posts in an interview with Daily Mail. "That was like a dagger to the heart," he said of Oliver's post. "... If what he wanted was me out of their lives, then he's succeeded. I don't want to see either of my eldest children ever again. It's over." He denied ever abandoning his children and accused Hawn of manipulating their children against him.
50 Cent's son said he 'wasn't really around enough'
Rapper 50 Cent's relationship with his son, Marquise Jackson has been tumultuous for some time. During an interview with Rap-Up, Jackson opened up about how his father wasn't present for much of his childhood. "It completely went south when I was probably like 10 or 11," he said of his relationship with 50 Cent. "He wasn't really around enough. It kind of dwindled down as time went on and certain events happened."
It appears that 50 Cent never reentered his son's life — at least not in a positive way — because the two have had numerous online back-and-forth arguments over the years. It was even alleged that 50 Cent disowned Jackson via text message when he was only 16 years old. In October 2022, Jackson took to Instagram to share a post about his father in which he spoke about his $6,700 per month child support payments. "Since y'all think $6,700 is so much money someone tell my pops I will pay him $6,700 for just 24hr of his time so we can do everything I ever wanted to do with him as a kid," he wrote. 50 Cent responded to this post during an interview with "The Breakfast Club." He argued that Jackson's actions were an attempt to get attention rather than a meaningful effort to rebuild their relationship.