Instances When Reporters Ruined Innocent Celebs' Lives
With the 24-hour news cycle, the ideas of "speed" and "scoop" have surpassed the importance of "accuracy" and "honesty." Because of this, a lot of sloppy reports get filed. Yeah, some news outlets file retractions to clear their names, but sometimes those retractions don't come until well after the damage is done. Here are some celebs whose names have been ruined because of sloppy reporting.
CNN And John Cena
While some wrestlers brush off steroid-use accusations, WWE superstar John Cena is one wrestler who takes issue with it. Back in 2007, CNN interviewed Cena for a special about Chris Benoit, who was the perpetrator of a gruesome double-murder and suicide. After an interview that lasted about 45 minutes, CNN only used a few seconds, according to Cena. To top it off, the little bit CNN used made it look as though Cena admitted to using steroids. Obviously, Cena and the WWE took issue with this and action and lodged a complaint. However, CNN never really apologized for its decision. Instead, the network re-aired the special, adding Cena's original answer to the question about steroid use. But left in was the bit where it sounds like he admits to using steroids too. So, CNN apparently believes in a create-your-own-adventure approach to the news.
CNN And Hatebreed
In another example of its exemplary journalistic integrity, CNN once included Connecticut-based metalcore band Hatebreed in a list of white supremacist bands. In a 2012 story about Wade Page, who killed worshipers in a Sikh-temple, the Anti-Defamation League's Lonnie Nasatir defamed Hatebreed by bundling them with bands whose "names defiantly express feelings of hatred or violence." The band took to Twitter and not only demanded an apology and retraction, but also mocked the news channel. The band even included the comment, "Writers like Lonnie Nasatir are the reason why the American media is looked at as a complete joke."
Miles Teller And Esquire
Star of the celebrated Whiplash and the much maligned 2015 Fantastic Four reboot, Miles Teller already has a reputation, and not for his acting skills. In a 2015 interview with Esquire, Teller comes off as kind of a tool, which is a kinder word than Esquire used. And the public seemed to really embrace this opinion. However, Teller feels as though that article was "very misrepresenting." To back up Teller's side of the story, his three Fantastic Four co-stars jumped to his defense, saying he's a "fantastic person," and a "great guy." And anyways, things printed in Esquire should be taken with a grain of salt. It's a magazine owned by the Hearst Corporation, which was founded by William Randolph Hearst, the inventor of "yellow journalism." Next thing you know, they'll be telling us that Jaden and Willow Smith are the greatest minds of our time, and that Adele can't sing.
Matt Damon And The Guardian
The Guardian is one of the most trusted newspapers in the world, yet even this publication isn't without its mistakes. In 2015, they reported that Matt Damon thinks gay actors should remain in the closet, almost making him look homophobic. Now, even though Damon did say that, it's not all of what he said. Or at least, it's not what he meant. What he said was, "actors are more effective when they're a mystery." Basically, he thinks any actor does a better job when most people know next to nothing about said actor, which is actually not too far from the truth. But looking at the article, he never says anything about gay people going back into the closet. Looks like the people at The Guardian need a little brushing up on taking quotes from people.
Taylor Swift
Photographer Jason Sheldon attempted to ruin Taylor Swift's reputation by calling her a hypocrite in an open letter in 2015. This occurred right after Swift's triumph over Apple, when the iPhone-maker attempted to give out free music without paying the music labels or artists. In his letter, Sheldon alleged that Swift limited how he, and other photographers, used promotional photos taken of her during her 1989 tour. He said that, according to his interpretation of his contract, he could only sell the photographs once and couldn't use them in his portfolio afterward. Swift's legal team shook off his accusations, saying that they placed no such limitations on his work or any other photographer. Sheldon responded to this, saying Swift missed the point. Seems that there's no getting rid of this bad blood between them.
Alicia Keys And Blender Magazine
Way back in 2008, a few years after the height of Alicia Keys' fame, the now-defunct Blender magazine reported that Keys made some outrageous claims about the gangsta rap music genre. In the way that Blender reported it, Keys seemed to have said that gangsta rap was somehow created by the US government in an attempt to "convince black people to kill each other." Essentially, it made her look like a crazed conspiracy theorist. Blender stood by its story, probably because the mag didn't have much else going for it at the time. Keys released a statement easily debunking Blender's article. Of course, Blender isn't really remembered for its hard-hitting journalism and integrity, if it's remembered at all. Of course, not too many people remember Alicia Keys all that much either.
Katherine Heigl
Reporters running wild with rumors have come close to destroying Katherine Heigl's career. In 2013, The Hollywood Reporter ran a story saying Heigl's attitude, along with her mother, was ruining her career. The article states that, while she does have the talent to a big movie star, Heigl's difficult behavior dissuades people from wanting to work with her. Now while Heigl has said that she doesn't see herself as difficult to work with, she does have a biased opinion. However, producer Joe Carnahan has also jumped to her defense, saying, "it's just that she's got an opinion," and people don't like women with opinions. And anyway, she's young yet. If Russell Crowe and Charlie Sheen can bounce back from psychotic behavior, Heigl can bounce back from people's objections to her opinions. She just needs to star in something like Knocked Up 2 to get things rolling.
Natalie Dormer
Of all the bad reporting here, this is probably the most serious. Game of Thrones actress Natalie Dormer had to contend with false reports of her condoning underage sex. The reports began to surface after quotes she gave about her character on Game of Thrones were misrepresented and misinterpreted online, basically painting her as pro-pedophilia. It's an accusation that's sometimes tantamount to conviction. However, before anything got too out of hand, Dormer penned a response to the irresponsible claims for Gossip Cop. One of the things she points out in her response is that she plays a fictional character in a fictional land. It sure looks as though some Game of Thrones fans don't know how to separate fiction from what they wish was reality, which isn't too far off, really. Jack Gleeson, who played the despicable King Joffrey, had to deal with people hating him in real life. Next, Sean Bean is going to have to prove he's still got his head attached to his shoulders.