From blowing fortunes on extravagant splurges to dropping clueless comments, celebrities have repeatedly shown they’re in a whole different world, totally out of sync with the everyday ups and downs regular folks deal with.
Gwyneth Paltrow
Actress Gwyneth Paltrow has faced criticism for promoting and selling expensive wellness products through her company, Goop. Some of these products, such as a $75 candle marketed as having a scent of her own private parts, have been viewed as extravagant and disconnected from the everyday realities of most people.
Kim Kardashian
When Kim Kardashian, who comes from a privileged background and gained fame through a reality TV show, offered advice to working women to “get up and work,” her statement reflected a somewhat disconnected perspective, emphasizing the value of hard work and dedication.
Megan Fox
When Megan Fox expressed her belief in leprechauns, it added another intriguing layer to the already fascinating persona of the actress. In a candid interview with Esquire, she shared her firsthand experiences of witnessing what she described as “magical, crazy things” and professed her belief in the enchanting realm of Irish myths, including the existence of leprechauns.
Kelly Ripa
When Kelly Ripa, who shares a life of wealth with her husband, TV star Mark Consuelos, discussed her son’s transition to his own Brooklyn apartment and remarked, “I don’t think he ever really experienced extreme poverty like now,” her comment revealed a certain lack of awareness regarding the everyday struggles faced by individuals who truly live in poverty, highlighting a disconnect between her reality and that of many others.
Elton John
While many of us carefully consider our expenses, the legendary Elton John has demonstrated a penchant for extravagance by investing a staggering $425,000 on flowers. When confronted about his indulgence, he unapologetically defended himself with a simple statement: “Well, I like flowers.”
Grimes
When Grimes discussed her former partner Elon Musk and remarked, “Bro does not live like a billionaire. … Bro lives at times below the poverty line — to the point where I was like, ‘Can we not live in a very insecure $40,000 house?'” her statement reflected a certain level of being out of touch with the financial realities faced by the majority of people.
Oprah Winfrey
In a widely circulated TikTok video in December 2022, a fan unexpectedly encountered Oprah in a public setting and sought her advice on a gift idea for his mother. Oprah enthusiastically recommended a jewelry box that had been featured on her talk show’s “favorite things” episode. However, when the fan expressed concern over the cost, stating it was too expensive, Oprah seemed somewhat unaware of the financial perspective, asserting, “It’s really not, it’s like 100-and-something dollars,” and playfully inquiring, “Lower than $100?”
Ellen DeGeneres
Ellen DeGeneres’ tone-deaf quarantine comments: During the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, talk show host Ellen DeGeneres faced backlash for comparing her self-isolation in her mansion to being in jail. Many criticized her for being out of touch with the challenges faced by ordinary people who were experiencing financial difficulties and health risks.
Orlando Bloom
Orlando Bloom was featured in The Sunday Times’ “A Life in the Day” column in 2021, the stark contrast between his account and the realities of typical parents became painfully evident.Bloom began by sharing insights gleaned from his “smart ring sleep tracker,” delving into details about his sleep patterns. However, he conveniently omitted any mention of the typical tasks that parents of infants undertake in the morning, such as diaper changes or feedings, painting a skewed picture of his parenting experience with his baby daughter, Daisy.
Kylie Jenner
In 2019, Forbes named Kylie Jenner the youngest self-made billionaire, largely due to the success of her makeup brand, Kylie Cosmetics. However, many argued that her privileged background and famous family played a significant role in her success, leading to debates about the term “self-made” and accusations of being out of touch with the challenges faced by most entrepreneurs.
Salma Hayek
Comments made by Salma Hayek regarding the challenges of picky eating were notably out-of-touch. In an interview with The Times magazine, she stated, “You have to work very hard to please them all. If you are making pizza, there is one who doesn’t like cheese, and another who hates tomato. Our chef sometimes looks so downhearted. He’s always saying, ‘Madam, what are we going to do?'” The remarks show a detachment from the common experiences of regular parents juggling the preferences and dietary restrictions of their children without the luxury of a personal chef.
Lady Gaga
When Lady Gaga made the unconventional decision to invest a staggering $39,000 in ghost equipment, it certainly created a buzz and added to the perception that she exists in a realm far removed from the average person’s reality. The extravagant expenditure on gear to maintain a ghost-free environment in her hotel rooms and tour venues highlighted a disconnect between her extravagant lifestyle and the day-to-day concerns of regular people.
Justin Bieber
When Justin Bieber visited the Anne Frank House, he left a message in the guestbook that stirred up significant controversy. In his message, Bieber expressed his hope that Anne Frank, the renowned diarist and Holocaust victim, “would have been a Belieber” if she were alive today. Critics argued that Bieber’s comment demonstrated a lack of understanding and empathy, suggesting a self-centered focus on his own celebrity fandom in a context where such considerations were entirely out of place.
Gal Gadot
During the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, actress Gal Gadot and several other celebrities recorded a video of themselves singing parts of John Lennon’s song “Imagine.” The video was criticized for being tone-deaf and out of touch, as it was seen as trivializing the hardships faced by people around the world during the health crisis.