As much as Hollywood leaves the world in awe with its epic films, it also remains the hub of controversies, mostly between big stars that spans over decades. Here are some of them:
Hollywood feuds and rivalries get all the attention. Over the years, several iconic and well, petty feuds have erupted between the big names of Hollywood. Fans can never forget the intense rivalry between action legends Arnold Schwarzenegger and Sylvester Stallone. During the 1980s to 90s, the action genre was all the rage, with Schwarzenegger and Stallone finding themselves at the center of it. Both in their peaking years, competed against each other which gave birth to Hollywood epics like Rambo and The Terminator.
Addressing his intense battle with Stallone, Schwarzenegger once revealed in The Graham Norton Show that their rivalry got out of control. They tried to outdo each other in regards to a better physique, bigger guns, better action, and whatnot. It went on for two decades after the action legends shook hands and starred in movies like Escape Plan and The Expendables 2. Although this rivalry was only a glimpse into the pool of epic rivalries.
1. Vin Diesel and Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson
Much like the Schwarzenegger-Stallone rivalry, the feud between action stars Vin Diesel and Dwayne Johnson flared up in 2016 while filming The Fate of the Furious. As per Time Magazine, The Rock took to his Instagram to condemn some of his male co-stars with a brief note. He wrote in the post,
“My female co-stars are always amazing and I love ’em. My male co-stars however are a different story. Some conduct themselves as stand up men and true professionals, while others don’t”
Although the action star didn’t name Diesel, it was speculated that the note was directed at him. He also added that his blood-boiling anguish could be seen in his acting after the film’s release. Nevertheless, The Rock didn’t stop at this. He shared another Instagram post, thanking every crew besides any specific mention of the film’s co-producer and his co-actor Vin Diesel.
However, Diesel managed to keep his cool and debunked any such rivalry between them. The actor talked to USA Today. Diesel revealed,
“I know he appreciates how much I work this franchise. In my house, he’s Uncle Dwayne.”
Further stating that he and Dwayne Johnson are weirdly close and that their supposed feud was exaggerated.
2. Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie
The Simple Life stars Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie’s life-long friendship took a wrong turn in 2005. Hollywood’s BFFs were no longer friends owing to an internal feud between them. Hilton addressed the matter the same year, and told People,
“It’s no big secret that Nicole and I are no longer friends. Nicole knows what she did, and that’s all I’m ever going to say about it.”
However, the reason behind their friendship break-up came to light after People revealed Hilton had not invited Richie to her Saturday Night Live episode. Therefore, to avenge the injustice, Richie secretly recorded an inappropriate video of Hilton at a party. Leaving it all in the past, the duo made peace during the fifth season of The Simple Life avoiding any other controversy.
3. Gwyneth Paltrow and Marta Stewart
Notable figures in Hollywood as well as the lifestyle sphere, Martha Stewart and Gwyneth Paltrow got a little too competitive in 2014. Talking to Porter Magazine, Stewart unraveled about her unfiltered thoughts on Paltrow, actress and founder of the lifestyle brand, Goop. Stewart said,
“She’s a movie star. If she were confident in her acting, she wouldn’t be trying to be Martha Stewart.”
Moreover, after Paltrow’s divorce from Chris Martin, Stewart took another dig at the former in 2014. Martha Stewart Living presented a pie recipe marked as ‘Conscious Coupling’ in the November issue of that year. Evidently, this was a reference to Paltrow’s separation. As hilarious as it gets, this time the Marvel actress got back to Stewart by sharing a recipe of her own named ‘Jailbird Cake,’ which was an ode to Stewart’s time in prison. She was charged with fraud in 2004.
4. Taylor Swift and Kanye West
This one is legendary. There might be a few who aren’t aware of the epic feud between music icons Taylor Swift and Kanye West. In 2009, West interrupted Taylor Swift’s acceptance speech at the VMAs, deeming her undeserving. West opined the award go to Beyonce instead of Swift. However, a subsequent apology from the hip-hop genius cooled things down.
After releasing ‘Innocent’ in regards to her feud with West, the latter also released ‘Famous’ in 2016. The song penned demeaning lyrics against Taylor Swift which the popstar retaliated against publicly. In a twist, Kim Kardashian shared a private call recording that proved that Swift had allowed the lyrics. The tables turned on Swift, as she was brutally criticized on the internet which urged her to take a year-long hiatus from the public eye.
5. Elton John and Madonna
Pop legends, Sir Elton John and Madonna had been infamously involved in a feud for decades. It all started with a demeaning remark for Madonna after her song for James Bond’s Die Another Day was released in 2002. As per the British Sun tabloid, John described the popstar’s single as,
“It is the worst Bond tune of all time.”
The bashing and criticism of Madonna went on for years, with John even accusing her of lip-syncing in concerts. The next chapter of their controversy unraveled after both singers landed a nomination for ‘Best Original Song’ at the 2012 Golden Globe Awards. While Madonna won the award, she left a sensible statement for John. As per CBS, she told the press later on,
“He’s been known to get mad at me, so I don’t know. He’s brilliant, and I adore him, so he’ll win another award. I don’t feel bad.”
Tracing the past, the John-Madonna feud seems to have no end and the world has made peace with it.