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Article created by: Neilas Šurkus

Now, getting kicked out from an organization or being dropped by a brand is pretty bad for one’s reputation. Dropped from the high school basketball team? Bad. Kicked out from that D&D game group you created? Even worse. While those two might only hit your inner ego and self-respect, celebrities dropped by brands lose a part of their income. It’s not like they will go hungry any day soon, but when a brand agrees that what you are doing is wrong, they are saying you’re not a good representative. With so many bad celebrity endorsements of brands to see and examine, it’s important to understand what pushes a popular brand to drop a fan favorite celebrity.

An endorsement of a brand can be thought of as a well-timed joke. When the joke lands, then laughing ensues. The same goes for the brands. When a celebrity acts correctly, great, more money, but when a celebrity endorsement fails, it feels like a full-on meltdown as the brand tries to contain the massive disaster on its hands. Celebrities who lost endorsements of brands usually did something crazy that they thought was perfectly fine. But hey, can’t handle your words, don’t be a celebrity. The worst celebrity endorsements usually resulted in an instant drop kick off the brand.

With the ongoing disaster that is the Kanye West scandal with Adidas, you might be interested in how other celebrities were able to set a part of their income on fire. Now, not every brand did the right thing by dropping a celebrity, some did it for the pure fact that they wanted to get more money. Drop down below to see many celebrities that were dropped by popular brands for various reasons. Upvote the brands that acted correctly and wisely. Comment below if you think a brand could have handled it differently.

#1

Adidas Ended Their Partnership With Kanye West Following His Recent Antisemitic Remarks

Close-up of a celebrity at an event, illustrating how scandals can cost celebrities partnerships with big-name brands.

Adidas released a statement when they terminated this partnership saying, "Adidas does not tolerate antisemitism and any other sort of hate speech. Ye’s recent comments and actions have been unacceptable, hateful and dangerous, and they violate the company’s values of diversity and inclusion, mutual respect and fairness."
 
Gap also made a statement saying, "In September, Gap announced ending its Yeezy Gap partnership. Our former partner's recent remarks and behavior further underscore why."

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    #2

    Nike Dropped Lance Armstrong For Using Doping

    Professional cyclist racing in a sponsored event with big-name brands, highlighting scandal impact on celebrity partnerships.

    When Lance Armstrong acknowledged using performance-enhancing illegal substances during his several Tour de France victories, Nike terminated his contract in 2012. In addition to Nike, other companies such as Anheuser-Busch, Trek Bicycle Corp, FRS, and Honey Stinger also dropped Armstrong. Following his admission, the athlete lost $150 million in sponsorship deals.

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    #3

    In 2007, Nike Cut Ties With Michael Vick After He Was Found Guilty Of Involvement In An Unlawful Dog Fighting Ring

    Football player celebrating with a trophy on the field, highlighting moments when scandals cost celebrities brand partnerships.

    Michael Vick was found guilty of involvement in an unlawful dog fighting ring. Michael issued a declaration of regret after entering a guilty plea in court: "I accept full accountability for my choices. I won't sit here for a single second, not for a single second, and accuse anyone else of being responsible for what I did or how I behaved." Nike re-signed the athlete in 2011.

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    #4

    Abby Lee Miller Dropped By Lifetime For Long History Of Racist Comments

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    Dance Moms' dance instructor is no longer associated with the television show or anything regarding the television network.
     
    Abby's Virtual Dance-Off, her planned series, was canceled in 2020 when former cast members spoke out about their horrible experiences working with her.
     
    According to Yahoo News, Camille Bridges claimed that when they were on the show, Abby frequently treated her daughter Camryn in a racist manner.

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    #5

    The Hallmark Channel Cut Ties With Lori Loughlin And Daughter Olivia Jade Due To Allegations Of A College Admissions Scam

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    Actress Lori Loughlin and her daughter have been cut off from The Hallmark Channel due to allegations of a college admissions scam.
     
    Loughlin, her husband, fashion designer Mossimo Giannulli, and fellow actress Felicity Huffman are among 50 people who face federal charges in connection with what investigators call "Operation Varsity Blues." It’s a scheme in which affluent parents allegedly used deception to help their children get into elite universities.

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    #6

    Whoopi Goldberg Was Dropped As Slimfast's Spokesperson For Jokes About President Bush's Name

    Close-up of a celebrity with glasses and dreadlocks, illustrating scandals that cost partnerships with big-name brands.

    When Whoopi Goldberg made sexually explicit jokes about President Bush's name at a fundraiser for Democratic candidate John Kerry in New York in 2004, SlimFast fired her as their spokesman.
     
    According to a SlimFast general manager, several of her jokes offended some of the consumers. In her statement in response, Whoopi said, "While I respect what the SlimFast people must do to preserve their business, I must also do what I need to do as an artist, a writer, and as an American, not to mention as a comic."

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    #7

    Disney Dropped Johnny Depp Due To The Washington Post Op-Ed

    Musician performing live on stage with guitar, highlighting celebrity scandals affecting partnerships with big-name brands.

    All eyes were on the Edward Scissorhands actor when Amber Heard, Depp's ex-wife, said in an op-ed for The Washington Post that she was a "public figure symbolizing domestic abuse." The media demanded Depp's response to Heard's charges.
     
    Just four days after the 2018 op-ed was published, Disney fired the actor from its multibillion-dollar Pirates of the Caribbean franchise due to the charges. Naturally, this sparked Depp's widely reported defamation lawsuit against the Aquaman actress, which he later prevailed in. In spite of this, he continued to work with longtime collaborator Dior throughout the legal dispute.

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    #8

    Nick Cannon Fired From Wild’n’Out For Anti-Semitic Comments

    Smiling celebrity in a black suit and tie at an event, representing scandals costing partnerships with big-name brands.

    After making antisemitic remarks on his podcast Cannon's Class, the television host was dismissed from his popular comedy series Wild'N'Out. Richard Griffin, who was expelled from Public Enemy after saying that Jews were to blame for "the preponderance of depravity that goes on over the globe," was interviewed by Cannon.
     
    Cannon questioned why "we give so much power to the 'theys,' and 'theys' turn into illuminati, the Zionists, and the Rothschilds" on the podcast, using the wealthy Jewish family as a code word for antisemitism.

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    #9

    Dannon Dropped Cam Newton As Their Spokesperson Because Of Sexist Comments

    Athlete in football uniform smiling on field, representing celebrity scandals affecting big-name brand partnerships.

    Cam Newton was fired by Dannon as their spokesperson in 2017 after he faced criticism for remarking that it was "interesting to hear a female talk about routes" in response to a query from a female reporter at a press conference.
     
    Dannon gave an explanation for breaking off contact in a statement. "We find Cam Newton's actions and remarks toward Jourdan Rodrigue shocking and demoralizing because we see them as sexist and demeaning to all women. It is completely at odds with our dedication to encouraging inclusiveness and equality in every workplace. Simply put, disparaging someone based on their gender is not acceptable. Cam has been informed of our concerns, and we will no longer be working with him."
     
    Cam expressed regret and said, "What I did was completely inappropriate."

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    #10

    Chrissy Teigen Dropped By Target, Bloomingdale’s, And Macy’s For Cyberbullying

    Celebrity with a stylish ponytail and makeup at an event highlighting scandals costing partnerships with big-name brands.

    The entrepreneur and model has a reputation for being frank and opinionated on Twitter. However, after it was discovered that she had harassed a 16-year-old girl in 2011, she lost several brand deals.
     
    Courtney Stodden, a fellow model, came forward with DMs and tweets from Teigen, including "I hate you" and "my Friday fantasy: you. Dirt nap," and  "Go. To sleep. Forever." — in reference to Stodden's union with Doug Hutchison, 51.
     
    In May 2021, Teigen apologized to the public on Twitter, writing, "And I'm so sorry I let you guys down. I'll always strive to improve upon where I was 10, 1, or 6 months ago.”

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    #11

    Paula Deen Was Dropped By Food Network, Smithfield Foods, And Caesars Palace For Racial Comments

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    After she acknowledged using an offensive racist word and making racial comments in the past, Paula Deen was fired from the Food Network, Smithfield Foods, and Caesars Palace in 2013.

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    #12

    Tiger Woods Was Dropped By Gillette For Extramarital Affairs

    Professional golfer in mid-swing on course, illustrating celebrity partnerships affected by scandal with big-name brands.

    Tiger Woods was dropped by Gillette in 2010 as a result of information about his numerous extramarital affairs becoming public.
     
    Soon after, Tiger Woods and his wife divorced in 2010. This didn't stop him from dominating the golf world and only serious health problems stopped him for a small period.

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    #13

    Youtube Creator Jeffree Star Dropped By Makeup Retailer Morphe In Response To The Influencer's Racially Insensitive Remarks

    Person with tattoos and striking makeup, wearing a patterned jacket, reflecting on celebrity scandals and lost brand partnerships.

    The contentious beauty YouTuber has been fired from Morphe, a makeup company with which he has worked on multiple projects and owned his own cosmetics line. This choice was made in response to the influencer's racially insensitive remarks resurfacing and allegations that he coerced YouTuber Tati Westbrook.
     
    In a YouTube video from 2019, Tati Westbrook made the claim that James Charles had attempted to seduce a straight man. Westbrook later admitted that Jeffree Star and Shane Dawson had gaslighted and coerced her into shooting the video that exposed her ex-friend.

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    #14

    Kellogg's Decided To End Their Endorsement Deal With Michael Phelps After Pictures Of Him Consuming Illegal Substances Were Revealed

    Smiling male celebrity in a blue jacket representing scandals costing celebrities partnerships with big-name brands.

    Michael Phelps' sponsorship agreement with Kellogg's was terminated in 2009 after pictures of him consuming illegal substances were revealed.
     
    The sportsman expressed his regret for bad behavior and "poor judgment" when the photographs were leaked.

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    #15

    Lindsay Lohan Dropped By Odaingerous For Run-Ins With The Authorities

    Blonde celebrity wearing sunglasses at an event highlighting times a scandal cost celebrities partnerships with brands

    Following her run-ins with the authorities, troubled actress Lindsay Lohan was fired from her endorsement arrangement with clothes and lifestyle company Odaingerous. The 26-year-old was set to make a staggering 500,000 dollars from the huge transaction.
     
    Odaingerous' creative director and CEO, Odain Watson, announced that the clothing and lifestyle company had formally withdrawn its offer for an endorsement deal with actress Lindsay Lohan as the face of the brand in light of her conviction.
     
    Watson said, "We wish her well as she recovers and pursues her goals in the future. The uncertainty surrounding Ms. Lohan caused us to postpone our next promotional campaign."

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    #16

    Sharon Stone Was Dropped As The Face Of Christian Dior's Advertisements For Implying That China's Earthquake Was Retribution For The Nation's Treatment Of Tibet In 2008

    Celebrity smiling on red carpet event, surrounded by photographers capturing moments of partnership scandals.

    After making the implication that China's earthquake was retribution for the nation's treatment of Tibet in 2008, Sharon Stone lost her position as the face of Christian Dior's commercials.

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    #17

    Gilbert Gottfried, Dropped As The Voice Of The Aflac Duck After Making Comments That Alluded To A Devastating Tsunami That Had Struck Japan

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    Gilbert Gottfried was fired as the voice of the Aflac Duck in 2011 after he made several comments on Twitter that alluded to a devastating tsunami that had struck Japan.
     
    Gilbert expressed regret at being dropped by Aflac the day after. He extended his heartfelt apologies to anyone who was offended by his attempt at humor in reference to the tragedy in Japan. "My thoughts are with the victims and their families, and I meant no disrespect," the speaker said.

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    #18

    Maria Sharapova's Relationships With Porsche, Nike, And Tag Heuer Were Suspended Because Of A Failed Illegal Substances Test

    Blonde woman at event, smiling softly, illustrating celebrities and scandals affecting partnerships with big-name brands.

    Following a failed illegal substances test in 2016, Maria Sharapova's affiliations with Porsche, Nike, and Tag Heuer were terminated. She identified the medication and claimed that she had taken it for ten years after a doctor had prescribed it. Apparently, Maria Sharapova was unaware the substance had another name and was banned.

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    #19

    Chanel And Burberry Severed Ties With Kate Moss For Using Illegal Substances

    Blonde woman in a white lace dress posing indoors, illustrating celebrities losing partnerships with big-name brands.

    After Kate Moss acknowledged that the tabloid accusations about her illegal substance use were accurate, Chanel and Burberry ended their relationship with her in 2005.

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    #20

    Multiple Brands Dropped Seo Ye-Ji, "It’s Okay Not To Be Okay" K-Drama Actress For Forbidding Her Ex-Boyfriend From Acting In Romance Scenes

    Three celebrities seated on a couch during an interview, illustrating times scandals cost partnerships with big-name brands.

    The 32-year-old It's Okay Not to be Okay K-drama actress became involved in controversy last year when it was said that she forbade her ex-boyfriend Kim Jung-hyun of Crash Landing on You from acting in romance scenes with Girls' Generation's Seohyun in Time.


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