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The Most Controversial Figures Of 2024, Ranked
Vote up the most polarizing figures who earned the controversy they generated.
From celebrity drama to political showdowns to the “WTF?” headlines, this year was a rollercoaster of emotions. At the center of those highs and lows were a number of controversial figures. Some were beloved and popular icons who seemingly fell from grace; others have been steeped in controversy since they stepped on the scene.
But, love ‘em or hate ’em, no one can deny that these folks made major waves in 2024.
- 1
Polarizing from the jump of his political career, Trump won a second term presidency after a heated election season. Since then, he's made a slew of controversial cabinet picks and was named Time Magazine's “Person of the Year.”
- Birthplace: New York, New York, USA
- 2
While Musk began the year as the controversial buyer of X (formerly known as Twitter), he ended it by putting his billion-pound weight behind presidential candidate Donald Trump, using his social platform as a tool to do so.
- Birthplace: South Africa, Pretoria
- 3
Matt Gaetz
Age: 42Former Florida congressman Matt Gaetz resigned his post as he was announced as Trump's pick for attorney general in November.
However, an investigation from the House Ethics Committee found Gaetz, who had previously been accused of inappropriate relationships with minors, had paid for sex (in one instance with a 17 year old) and used illicit substances while in office.
- Birthplace: Hollywood, Florida
- 4
The charges against Sean “Diddy” Combs had many eyeing Jay-Z, another power player in the industry with close ties to Diddy.
The rapper came under further scrutiny after a woman claimed she was sexually assaulted by Diddy and Jay-Z at a party in 2000, when she was 13 years old.
- Birthplace: New York City, New York
- 5
Appearing on the ballot in some states as an independent candidate in the 2024 election, RFK Jr. is well known for his anti-vax views and conspiracy theories. He continued to make bizarre news headlines, such as when he admitted to dumping a dead bear in Central Park.
- Birthplace: Washington, D.C., USA
- 6
With 20 million subscribers, the YouTuber turned boxer has made something of a career out of scandal. His latest moment in the limelight came from the much-hyped yet ultimately anti-climactic fight between him and (58-year-old) Mike Tyson.
- Birthplace: Cleveland, Ohio
- 7
The podcaster continued to top charts in 2024, as well as court controversy for his stance on COVID vaccines and his off-color remarks in his debut Netflix special.
- Birthplace: Newark, New Jersey, USA
- 8
The star and director of It Ends With Us was embroiled in a behind-the-scenes feud with Blake Lively. While public opinion turned against Lively in favor of Baldoni, the actress filed a lawsuit against the actor in December with accusations of sexual harassment and a Baldoni-led effort to destroy her reputation.
The messages between members of Baldoni's team, included in the lawsuit, were damning.
- Birthplace: Los Angeles, California, USA
- 9
Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker gained infamy in 2024 for his commencement speech to Benedictine College. Butker suggested most of the graduating women were more excited about prospective motherhood than careers, and encouraged them to embrace their rightful roles as “homemakers.”
- Birthplace: Decatur, Georgia
- 10
No stranger to hip-hop beefs, Drake spent much of the year publicly feuding with Kendrick Lamar. He also controversially used AI-generated verses from Snoop Dogg - 2pac on a diss track aimed at Lamar.
- Birthplace: Toronto, Canada
- 11
MrBeast
The purported “King of YouTube” had something of a nice guy, philanthropic reputation. But 2024 saw numerous controversies hit the king, most notably a lengthy lawsuit filed by female contestants on his upcoming reality competition show, Beast Games, claiming a hostile set environment with a culture permissive of sexual harassment.
- 12
Luigi Mangione
The prime suspect in the murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, Mangione became something of an anti-hero of the disaffected masses unhappy with the American healthcare system. (The internet also took a shine to Mangione's mugshot.)
- 13
Rodgers has faced controversy for lying about his immunization status, his family feud (featured on The Bachelorette), his connection to RFK Jr., and his comments on Jeffrey Epstein and Jimmy Kimmel, to name a few.
He attempted to set the record straight in his 2024 Netflix documentary, Aaron Rodgers: Enigma.
- Birthplace: Chico, California, USA
- 14
The Democratic party faced division and turmoil in the 2024 election, centering around questions of octogenarian Joe Biden's capacity to lead the free world.
Amidst public pressure and pleas from the press, Biden stepped down and endorsed his VP, Kamala Harris, who ultimately couldn't catch Trump in November.
- Birthplace: Scranton, Pennsylvania, USA
- 15
Raygun
Australian breakdancer Rachael Gunn (AKA “Raygun”) earned notoriety at the 2024 Paris Olympics, where her breakdancing routine was mercilessly mocked and meme-ified online.
Raygun retired from competitive breakdancing in 2024 due to mockery and other commentary on her performance.
The often derided, royal-ish couple continued to face tabloid gossip about troubles in their marriage and speculation that the close of their Netflix deal would spell financial troubles for the pair.
- Birthplace: Los Angeles, California, USA
- 17
The star of the widely praised and celebrated movie musical adaptation, Wicked, in many ways 2024 was Grande's year.
However, the pop star was also at the center of one of the film's many controversies - the alleged affair between her and co-star Ethan Slater while both were married to other people. Grande and Slater both split with their spouses; Slater's ex, Dr. Lilly Jay, penned an essay about her upturned personal life.
- Birthplace: Boca Raton, Florida, USA
- 18
Pop star Justin Timberlake was arrested in 2024 for driving while intoxicated. His mugshot went viral, as did his alleged statement that this was going to “ruin the tour.”
- Birthplace: Memphis, Tennessee, USA
- 19
The popular actress faced backlash from fans for promoting her haircare products during press for It Ends With Us, a film about domestic violence. Lively was further accused of having “mean girl” energy in a resurfaced interview that went viral.
Several months later, however, Lively filed a lawsuit against co-star Justin Baldoni, accusing him and his PR team of orchestrating a public smear campaign to “bury” the actress.
- Birthplace: Tarzana, California, USA
- 20
Perry's big comeback was riding on her single, “Woman's World.” Instead, the track was slammed by critics and fans alike as a faux-feminist anthem (produced by Dr. Luke, the man accused by Kesha) that was also just not very good.
- Birthplace: Santa Barbara, California, USA
- 21
The Kendrick vs. Drake beef was a mainstay of 2024 celeb drama. And while Lamar fired effective shots at Drake, some fans found his criticisms hypocritical, e.g. calling out Drake for his treatment of women while collaborating with Kodak Black (convicted of crimes against women).
- Birthplace: Compton, California, USA
