Sweet Celebs Who Dated Really Mean People

The following article contains instances of sexual assault and domestic violence.

When we fantasise about the lifestyles of the rich and famous, we envisage that everything is perfect. The mansion is in order, financial worries or cares are nonexistent, and a loving partner remains loyally by the star's side. But this is far from the reality. Many celebrities have found themselves in ill-fated relationships with an incompatible significant other. Unfortunately, there seems to be a metaphorical beauty and the beast syndrome among some celebs, but unlike the fairy tale, the beast does not turn into a gentlemanly prince. The celebrity lifestyle can often be just that, a mere fairy tale.

When we see beloved celebrities dating disagreeable individuals, we can't help but feel protective. The stars in this article are among some of the sweetest around, yet they dated thoroughly mean people, including violent brutes, hotheads, and shameless gossips.

The couplings detailed here do not all involve domestic abuse, but for many of these celebs, unequal power play was present in the relationship. As psychologist Michele Paiva explained to Bustle, "When you are bending too much to make the other person happy, you are often giving up your own opinions. When this happens more and more, you begin to get resentful and feel unheard."

But despite what a number of these stars have endured, they are survivors who hope to inspire others with their stories. Keep reading to find out which sweet celebs dated really mean people.

Rihanna is known for her genial personality. Unfortunately, her kindness has not always been reciprocated by those closest to her, and that includes the men in her life. Famously, the multiple Grammy Award-winning singer dated rapper Chris Brown. After first meeting as teens in 2004, the pair had a tumultuous relationship, as per People.

In 2009, Brown subjected Rihanna to a brutal attack. TMZ obtained the official police report, which details the "horrific" injuries he inflicted upon Rihanna, including bleeding, swelling, and bruising. Speaking with Vanity Fair, she opened up about the abuse. "A lot of women, a lot of young girls, are still going through it," she reflected. "A lot of young boys too. It's not a subject to sweep under the rug, so I can't just dismiss it like it wasn't anything, or I don't take it seriously." The "Umbrella" singer added that she did not want to be defined by the abuse or perceived as a victim.

Since then, Brown has been accused of abusing other women. In 2019, he was arrested in France on suspicion of rape, though he wasn't charged and argued that the accusation was false, as per CNN. Then, in 2021, TMZ reported that Brown had been accused of battery against a woman, yet another allegation in his long history of domestic violence claims.

If you or someone you know is dealing with domestic abuse, you can call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1−800−799−7233. You can also find more information, resources, and support at their website.

If you or anyone you know has been a victim of sexual assault, help is available. Visit the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network website or contact RAINN's National Helpline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673).

In addition to being an Oscar-winning actor, Marlee Matlin is famed for her sense of humor. Notably, she appeared at the Comedy Central Roast of Donald Trump and made some riotously savage jibes. Despite her tough exterior, Matlin has survived immeasurable suffering at the hands of her ex-boyfriend William Hurt.

Hurt may be enjoying a career resurgence thanks to the MCU, but Matlin has accused him of subjecting her to horrendous cruelty. The pair dated after starring together in 1987's "Children of a Lesser God."

When Matlin won the Best Actress Oscar for the film, Hurt was evidently bitter because he did not win Best Actor, despite having won that very award the previous year for his performance in "Kiss of the Spider Woman." After winning the award, Matlin told The Guardian that Hurt said to her, "What makes you think you deserve it? There are hundreds of actors who have worked for years for the recognition you just got handed to you. Think about that." Additionally, in her memoir "I'll Scream Later," Matlin accused Hurt raping her.

In a statement to E! News, Hurt admitted to the abuse, but attempted to attribute some blame to Matlin: "My own recollection is that we both apologized and both did a great deal to heal our lives. Of course, I did and do apologize for any pain I caused."

If you or someone you know is dealing with domestic abuse, you can call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1−800−799−7233. You can also find more information, resources, and support at their website.

If you or anyone you know has been a victim of sexual assault, help is available. Visit the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network website or contact RAINN's National Helpline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673).

FKA twigs is a highly acclaimed British singer-songwriter known for her emotionally charged lyricism. According to The New York Times, she dated Shia LaBeouf between 2018 and 2019 and co-starred with him in the film "Honey Boy," which he wrote. Twigs told the publication that dating LaBeouf was the "worst thing I've ever been through in the whole of my life."

Speaking with Elle, twigs opened up about the horrifying abuse allegedly inflicted upon her by LaBeouf. "It's a miracle I came out alive," she said. When discussing the matter, twigs highlighted the importance of not asking domestic violence survivors why they stayed. "People wouldn't think that it would happen to a woman like me. The biggest misconception is, 'Well, you're smart. If it was that bad, why didn't you leave?' It can happen to anyone," she explained. In the interview, the singer made numerous shocking claims against her ex, including controlling behaviour, sleeping with a gun by the bed, and even bragging about shooting stray dogs.

Initially, LaBeouf acknowledged the abuse, telling The New York Times, "I have been abusive to myself and everyone around me for years. I have a history of hurting the people closest to me. I'm ashamed of that history and am sorry to those I hurt. There is nothing else I can really say." As with William Hurt, LaBeouf's statement is a mere half-apology, as he attempted to deflect victimhood onto himself. However, the actor later denied the accusations.

If you or someone you know is dealing with domestic abuse, you can call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1−800−799−7233. You can also find more information, resources, and support at their website.

A living legend, Elton John is loved the world over, for both his incredible musical output and his charitable work. Unfortunately, his first love was, by all accounts, a brute. For many years, John Reid was Elton John's manager and lover. Their relationship was passionate and romantic to begin with; Reid told The Scottish Daily Mail, "I was his first boyfriend, and we lived together as lovers for five years. He was my first great love and I was his." 

But Reid had a foul temper and he was prone to violent outbursts. As Rolling Stone notes, "He tossed a glass of champagne at a man for not having enough liquor at a reception for Elton; slapped a woman journalist who scolded him... he beat and kicked another journalist whom he said he heard had threatened Elton. He paid a $2500 settlement to the woman and was convicted on an assault charge for the beating." While Reid told the publication that his behavior was merely a reflection of his need to protect John, the pair's relationship soon grew sour.

In 2000, John sued Reid for misuse of his finances, as per The Scottish Daily Mail. He eventually gave the "Rocketman" singer £3.4 million (around $4.5 million) out of court. "I trusted him. I never thought he would betray me but he has betrayed me," John said of his ex-boyfriend following court proceedings.

John has since found happiness with his husband, David Furnish.

There is perhaps no star who exemplifies the wholesome all-American ideal more than Doris Day. A romcom icon in her youth and devoted animal welfare advocate throughout her life, Day was America's sweetheart. But she was treated appallingly by the men in her life. Her first husband, jazz musician Al Jorden, was allegedly cruel and violent. 

The Mirror published an extract from Day's memoir, in which she details domestic violence. "On the second day of our marriage his band manager gave me a wedding present — a leather make-up case. Al's face went white with jealousy," she wrote. "The minute we got home he spun me round and hit me in the face... I tried to believe this was a singular outburst. But soon his psychotic jealousy broke out in endless incidents." Meanwhile, Day's third husband, Martin Melcher, left her in severe debt after putting her vast fortune into the hands of a shady lawyer, as per Forbes.

Despite having endured such awful mistreatment, the past never made Day grow bitter or mean herself. Instead, she devoted her life to compassion. Notably, in 1985, she invited her ailing friend and frequent co-star Rock Hudson onto her show "Doris Day's Best Friends" when he was dying of AIDS. At a time when perceptions of AIDS were marked by bigotry, Day dispelled myths surrounding the transmission of HIV. "We kissed goodbye and he gave me a big hug and he held on to me," Day told People.

If you or someone you know is dealing with domestic abuse, you can call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1−800−799−7233. You can also find more information, resources, and support at their website.

In 2016, Evan Rachel Wood revealed to Rolling Stone that she had been sexually assaulted by an unnamed ex. "I've been raped. By a significant other while we were together," she said. Later, she gave testimony before the California Senate to support domestic violence legislation. In a transcript obtained by Nylon, Wood explained that she was forced "to partake in acts of fear, pain, torture, and humiliation, which he would videotape and which I felt powerless to stop." Following the revelations, fans speculated as to the identity of the ex, with many assuming Marilyn Manson to be the abuser, as per NME. According to the Rolling Stone profile, Wood began dating Manson when she was just 18 years old, while he was approaching 40.

In 2021, Wood alleged that the abuser was in fact the shock rocker. On Instagram, the actor wrote, "The name of my abuser is Brian Warner, also known to the world as Marilyn Manson. He started grooming me when I was a teenager and horrifically abused me for years. I was brainwashed and manipulated into submission... I am here to expose this dangerous man and call out the many industries that have enabled him, before he ruins any more lives."

Manson denies all allegations, but Wood isn't the only woman to have accused him of extreme sexual misconduct. Since Wood came forward, Rolling Stone reports that a least a dozen women have levied abuse claims against Manson.

If you or someone you know is dealing with domestic abuse, you can call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1−800−799−7233. You can also find more information, resources, and support at their website.

If you or anyone you know has been a victim of sexual assault, help is available. Visit the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network website or contact RAINN's National Helpline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673).

It seems that John Mayer has a throng of enraged ex-girlfriends to his name, mainly due to the fact that the singer-songwriter cannot keep his mouth shut when it comes to shading his former flames and divulging personal details.

In a now infamous Playboy interview, Mayer made a string of vile remarks, including a bizarre analogy between his genitalia and the Ku Klux Klan and highly crude sexual references to his ex Jessica Simpson.

What's more, he made ageist comments about another former lover, Jennifer Aniston, despite the fact that she is only eight years his senior. Aniston and Mayer dated in 2008 and the singer claimed that he and the "Friends" star broke up because she was simply too old for him. When asked whether he thought Aniston would download his latest album, Mayer replied, "If Jennifer Aniston knows how to use BitTorrent I'll eat my f***ing shoe. One of the most significant differences between us was that I was tweeting... The brunt of her success came before TMZ and Twitter. I think she's still hoping it goes back to 1998." He added, "I can't change the fact that I need to be 32." It should be noted that Mayer dated Taylor Swift when she was just 19. 

Meanwhile, being her sweet self, Aniston didn't throw shade when Vogue asked her about her break-up with Mayer, even claiming that she felt "protective of him" and branding her ex "a wonderful guy."

Pamela Anderson is known for her compassionate nature, most notably her tireless commitment to animal welfare. However, her ex Tommy Lee is notorious for being fully devoted to a life of rock n roll debauchery, with there seemingly being no end to the ridiculous antics in which he engaged as part of Mötley Crüe and beyond.

Per Us Weekly, Lee and Anderson met in 1994 before tying the knot just 96 hours later. They had a tumultuous relationship, which included Lee infecting Anderson with hepatitis C, from which she almost died. "Tommy has the disease and never disclosed it to me during our marriage," Anderson stated (via Entertainment Weekly).

In 1998, the Los Angeles Times reported that Lee was sentenced to six months in jail for physically assaulting Anderson. "What I see here is a very clear — very disturbing, in my judgment — pattern of conduct in which otherwise resolvable matters are handled by violence," decried the judge in charge of the case.

Later, Anderson said that the couple's two sons were also subjected to abuse and argued that her children would be unsafe if Lee were to be granted custody. In court documents obtained by the Evening Standard, Anderson said, "Tommy's behaviour has deteriorated to such an extent that I am afraid for the emotional well-being of the children while in his care." The "Baywatch" star added that Lee allegedly exposed their children to inappropriate viewing materials.

If you or someone you know is dealing with domestic abuse, you can call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1−800−799−7233. You can also find more information, resources, and support at their website.

Mandy Moore is typified by her sweet and wholesome personality. Wilmer Valderrama, on the other hand, is not. During an appearance on "The Howard Stern Show," Valderrama exhibited braggadocio as she spoke about his ex girlfriends in vulgar fashion. In particular, the "That '70s Show" star claimed — in extremely graphic detail — that Moore lost her virginity to him. 

He was, rather unsurprisingly but no less depressingly, goaded by Stern to give the specifics of the alleged interaction, as the host made creepy allusions to the mechanics of sex with a virgin. Valderrama obliged, detailing a supposed encounter that sounded so fictitious that it could have come straight out of some gross barely legal fantasy. What makes this all the more problematic is the fact that Moore was only 15 when she first met Valderrama, who was a grown adult.

Furious after listening to the interview, Moore told Elle that her ex's claims were flat out lies. While she said that she did briefly date Valderrama, she emphasised that his anecdote was "utterly tacky, not even true, and it hurt my feelings because I like him." Later, Moore appeared on Stern's show herself to again refute Valderrama's assertions, expressing her incredulity at the lies he spread. "But also I was like, 'Why would you ever talk about that to anybody and lie about it, first of all!? I was like oof!" she told Stern.

Candice Bergen starred on classic '90s sitcom "Murphy Brown," a show that Time champions as ground-breaking due to Bergen's portrayal of the "unapologetically feminist" titular protagonist. So, Bergen is an unlikely match for Donald Trump, who is arguably the furthest from Webster's definition of "feminist" as one can get. But remarkably, the pair once dated.

During an appearance on "Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen," Bergen admitted that she went on a date with Trump when she was a college student. When asked by Cohen whether there was chemistry, Bergen joked, "I was home very early." She continued, "He was a good-looking guy — and a douche."

In an interview on "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert," Bergen poked fun at Trump's penchant for much younger women when discussing her brief dalliance with the former president. "I was about 18. Trump and I are about the same age. Or as he would point out, I'm about six months older," she quipped. The actor admitted that she doesn't really remember how she ended up on a date with the future POTUS, to which Colbert joked that the notoriously thin-skinned Trump would be quite insulted.

Trump is renowned for being less than a nice guy. Having built a faux macho persona out of demeaning women, he brands any woman with whom he disagrees as "ugly" or a "pig," and he's even made lewd remarks about his own daughter. Bergen, it seems, got a lucky escape.

South African model Reeva Steenkamp was beloved by many for her altruism and charity work. In 2012, she began dating Olympic athlete Oscar Pistorius, but their relationship ended in tragedy. On Valentine's Day 2013, Pistorius shot his girlfriend multiple times, killing her. He initially claimed that he mistook Steenkamp for an intruder, but few people bought this, not least Steenkamp's family, who believe their daughter was intentionally murdered as revenge for wanting to leave Pistorius. 

"Reeva was dead, he didn't deny that he'd shot her. I think they had a fight, and she was leaving. Her clothes were packed, ready to go," her mother, June, told the BBC. The Steenkamp family allege that the athlete mistreated their daughter and was controlling. "In a relationship of three months, love makes you blind to everything, you're just happy — but that wasn't the case. She couldn't understand why they were fighting, but he was trying to dictate to her, make her into maybe his arm candy," June claimed.

Pistorius had, in fact, harmed a woman on a previous occasion and settled with her out of court, as per the Daily Mail. "It's ironic that Reeva Steenkamp lost her life at the hands of a man with a gun," wrote Vanity Fair. "She and her mother were passionate, long-time advocates for women suffering from violence and abuse."

After an initial trial that found him guilty of culpable homicide, Pistorius was eventually sentenced to thirteen years for murder.

If you or someone you know is dealing with domestic abuse, you can call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1−800−799−7233. You can also find more information, resources, and support at their website.

As the star of iconic series "Charlie's Angels," Farrah Fawcett was immensely popular among fans. In the 1970s, the enchanting actor's accelerating stardom was dubbed the "Farrah phenomenon." But while Fawcett was America's sweetheart, her boyfriend was a bonafide bad boy.

Fawcett and fellow actor Ryan O'Neal were long term partners for decades until the former's death from cancer in 2009. But according to his daughter, Tatum O'Neal, he was abusive towards Fawcett. In a 1999 interview with Talk (via E! News), the younger O'Neal said of her father, "He had a terrible temper and was very violent. He beat her up... My dad was a Svengali for her. He took over her life, her career, but there was a price."

Ryan had long been characterized by his less than savory public persona, dubbed an "absolute complete narcissist in every way" by his son Griffin O'Neal in an interview with CNN. Griffin claimed that his father cheated on Fawcett countless times, stating that he wasn't merely unfaithful, he was "faithless."

What's more, Ryan himself admitted to Vanity Fair that he came onto his own daughter at Fawcett's funeral, which is just plain wrong for a multitude of reasons. "I had just put the casket in the hearse and I was watching it drive away when a beautiful blonde woman comes up and embraces me," he recounted. "I said to her, 'You have a drink on you? You have a car?' She said, 'Daddy, it's me — Tatum!'"

If you or someone you know is dealing with domestic abuse, you can call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1−800−799−7233. You can also find more information, resources, and support at their website.

James Franco was once everyone's favorite perennially grinning stoner who made a great double act with BFF Seth Rogen. But now that reputation has been replaced by the characterization of Franco as a predator, and his once glittering career has been left in tatters in the wake of the MeToo movement.

After starring alongside one another in teen comedy "Whatever It Takes," Franco and fellow actor Marla Sokoloff dated for several years. Nearly a decade after they split, Franco made their private lives very public.

During an appearance on "The Howard Stern Show," Franco bragged about making a sex tape and even named the woman in the tape as Sokoloff. "It was with my girlfriend... She's an actress. She's married now... I'll say [her name] because it wasn't anything bad, it was an innocent thing we made for ourselves... And everybody knows. I dated an actress named Marla Sokoloff for like four years," he told Stern in 2013 (via Toronto Sun). Undoubtedly, this is highly personal information that Franco had no right making public.

But Franco's problematic behavior doesn't end there. In 2018, the Los Angeles Times reported that five women had accused the "127 Hours" star of sexual misconduct. Franco denies the allegations, but did reach a deal with his accusers following a lawsuit that cited sexual exploitation, per The Guardian.

If you or anyone you know has been a victim of sexual assault, help is available. Visit the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network website or contact RAINN's National Helpline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673).

In 2019, Melissa Benoist opened up about being abused by an unnamed partner. The "Supergirl" star shared a video on Instagram in which she revealed, "I am a survivor of domestic violence." Discussing the anonymous abuser, she said, "He was a magnanimous person who didn't really give you a choice not to be drawn to him. He could be charming, funny, manipulative, devious." 

In illustrating how her partner could be at once loving and cruel, Benoist highlights one of the major tactics used by perpetrators of domestic violence. As Bustle points out, abusers often appear sweet and caring, even disguising their abuse as compassion, but this is all part of the act. Benoist went on to explain that her abusive ex was extremely jealous of her work as an actor. "He didn't want me ever kissing or even having flirtatious scenes with men," she said, noting that she gave up on certain acting roles to appease her partner, who eventually became violent.

In a shocking turn of events, Benoist's ex-husband, Blake Jenner, ended up admitting to being the abuser in question. "I take full responsibility and accountability for the hurt that I inflicted during my relationship with my past partner — emotionally, mentally and yes, physically," he wrote on Instagram without referring to Benoist by name. He also went on to claim that he wasn't the only person responsible for the abuse in the relationship, leading fans to accuse Jenner of victim blaming, per HelloGiggles.

If you or someone you know is dealing with domestic abuse, you can call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1−800−799−7233. You can also find more information, resources, and support at their website.

Sarah Hyland remains one of the most popular "Modern Family" alums. The actor has withstood many challenges in her short life, including chronic kidney disease, but she always triumphs against adversity. One such challenge that she faced was the abuse inflicted upon her by ex-boyfriend Matt Prokop.

In September 2014, TMZ reported that Hyland took out a restraining order against Prokop, who had allegedly choked her and threatened her life. With the help of her onscreen mom Julie Bowen, Hyland was able to escape from Prokop, who, according to Hyland, "relentlessly bombarded me with vile, threatening and emotionally disturbing texts and voicemails." A month later, E! News confirmed that Hyland was granted a permanent restraining order from her ex. Following the abuse allegations, Prokop's acting career has come to an end.

Speaking with Refinery29 in 2020, Hyland said that she is living with PTSD due to the harrowing experience. "A lot of people like to think that once you're out of an abusive situation, it ends there, but it doesn't. The emotional trauma and scars on the soul stay there, and they impact you for the rest of your life if you don't get help," she revealed. Now, Hyland is working with domestic violence organization SHE RECOVERS to help survivors of abuse. "I realize it's tied to certain things, and it's an endless battle of correcting yourself and having self-love," she explained of her PTSD diagnosis. "Self-care is an extension of self-love."

If you or someone you know is dealing with domestic abuse, you can call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1−800−799−7233. You can also find more information, resources, and support at their website.

Gigi Hadid and Zayn Malik seemed like a match made in heaven. The striking supermodel and the brooding former One Directioner appeared to be enjoying an idyllic lifestyle reserved for the most beautiful people in the world, but there was darkness lurking beneath that perfect A-list façade.

In a turn of events that no one expected, Malik was arrested in 2021 for the harassment of Gigi's mother, Yolanda Hadid. TMZ reports that Malik allegedly "shoved her [Yolanda] into a dresser causing mental anguish and physical pain," though the singer denies this. Malik faces four criminal charges, having pled guilty to one charge of harassment.

The Telegraph obtained legal documents relating to the case, with Malik accused of calling Yolanda Hadid a "f***ing Dutch s***," and telling her to "stay away from [my] f***ing daughter" in reference to the couple's child, Khai, who was born in 2020. Additionally, the documents claim that Malik yelled at Gigi, demanding that she "Defend your partner against your f***ing mother in my house." The Telegraph reports that Malik has been ordered to attend domestic violence programs and anger management following the alleged foul-mouthed tirades.

In a statement to People, Gigi broke her silence on the case. "Yolanda is of course very protective of Gigi," a representative for the model stated. "She wants the best for her daughter and grandchild. Gigi is solely focused on the best for Khai. She asks for privacy during this time."

If you or someone you know is dealing with domestic abuse, you can call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1−800−799−7233. You can also find more information, resources, and support at their website.

Hayden Panettiere is the affable girl next door, who warmed her way into the hearts of audiences with her roles on "Heroes" and "Nashville." But behind the bright lights of the cameras, she was enduring immeasurable hardship.

As reported by TMZ, Panettiere's ex-boyfriend Brian Hickerson was arrested in 2020 for injuring her on multiple occasions and subsequently sentenced to 45 days in jail. Panettiere's lawyer, Alan Jackson, highlighted the duration of the abuse and praised Panettiere for her strength in the face of adversity. "After suffering for years as the victim of psychological, emotional and severe physical abuse, Hayden Panettiere has begun the process of taking back her life. Hayden has found the strength and courage to share the truth about her abuse and her abuser, and she intends to assist the prosecution to see that justice is served. As a survivor, she recognizes that her arduous journey of healing has just begun," Jackson said.

In a statement provided to People, Panettiere opened up about surviving the abuse. "I am coming forward with the truth about what happened to me with the hope that my story will empower others in abusive relationships to get the help they need and deserve," she said. "I am prepared to do my part to make sure this man never hurts anyone again." She added that a strong support system enabled her healing process, instilling her with "the courage to regain my voice and my life."

If you or someone you know is dealing with domestic abuse, you can call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1−800−799−7233. You can also find more information, resources, and support at their website.