From Katy Perry’s comeback to the Joker sequel: 15 celebrity flops and fails of 2024
While celebrities may appear to have it all—money, power, and beauty—they aren’t immune to their fair share of mishaps. This year delivered its own set of cringeworthy moments, from musical misfires to box office bombs. Here’s a light-hearted look at 2024’s biggest celebrity blunders.
1. Katy Perry’s comeback
Katy Perry’s long-awaited comeback album, 143, was met with mixed reviews, with critics calling it dated and lacking artistic growth. The music video for “Woman’s World” was criticised as regressive, despite Perry insisting it was satirical. To make matters worse, her follow-up single “Lifetimes” was shot in protected sand dunes in Spain, earning backlash from environmentalists. However, her tour proved successful, and fans still rallied around the singer.
2. The Joker Sequel falls flat
The highly anticipated Joker: Folie à Deux turned out to be an epic letdown. Unlike its Oscar-winning predecessor, this musical sequel alienated fans and critics alike. Despite grossing over $200m, it barely covered its production costs, solidifying its place as one of the year’s most high-profile box office flops.
3. Ticketmaster’s dynamic pricing disaster
Ticketmaster’s controversial “dynamic pricing” caused uproar during Oasis’s UK reunion tour, inflating ticket prices by up to £200. Fans were outraged, especially given the band’s working-class roots. After widespread backlash, Ticketmaster scrapped dynamic pricing for the US tour, but by then, the damage was done.
4. The ruined surprise party
BBC weather presenter Kawser Quamer accidentally revealed her niece’s surprise birthday party during a live broadcast. The gaffe quickly went viral, even making its way to Jimmy Kimmel Live. Quamer later convinced her niece it was a different party, salvaging the surprise.
5. Netflix cancels kaos
Jeff Goldblum’s Greek mythology drama Kaos was axed by netflix just a month after its debut. Despite a fan campaign to save it, poor viewing figures and low completion rates sealed its fate.
6. Co-op live arena’s rocky start
Manchester’s Co-op Live Arena faced numerous delays, with technical issues forcing cancellations of shows by Peter Kay and Olivia Rodrigo. It eventually opened with a successful concert by Elbow, but not before garnering a reputation for chaos.
7. Joe biden’s debate misstep
Joe Biden’s lacklustre performance in a televised debate with Donald Trump derailed his re-election campaign. Appearing frail and struggling to articulate his points, Biden faced calls to step down, with Kamala Harris eventually replacing him as the Democratic candidate.
8. A Rainy olympic opening ceremony
Paris’s decision to host the Olympic opening ceremony outdoors backfired as torrential rain dampened the event. Spread across multiple locations, the ceremony felt disjointed, and a controversial drag queen performance sparked further backlash.
9. The disastrous bridgerton ball
An unofficial Bridgerton-themed ball left fans disappointed with underwhelming decor, bland food, and a lack of entertainment. The organisers apologised, but the damage was done.
10. Eurovision chaos
This year’s Eurovision was plagued by problems, including security concerns, disqualifications, and awkward mishaps. The winner accidentally broke the trophy, and the UK finished a dismal 18th. Host city Malmö even declared it would refuse to host again if Sweden won.
11. Broadcasting blunders
Laura Kuenssberg accidentally sent briefing notes to Boris Johnson before an interview, prompting her withdrawal. Meanwhile, Lorraine Kelly’s poor attendance on her own show became a viral joke, and Strictly Come Dancing raised eyebrows over perceived tension between a celebrity contestant and their partner.
12. Oppenheimer’s award mishaps
At the BAFTAs, a random YouTuber managed to infiltrate the stage as Oppenheimer won Best Film. At the Oscars, Al Pacino’s announcement of the same award was so muddled it left the audience confused.
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13. Cynthia erivo’s poster backlash
Cynthia Erivo faced memes and jokes after expressing frustration over a fan-edited Wicked poster that obscured her face. She later laughed off the incident, turning it into a teachable moment.
14. Rishi sunak’s rainy election announcement
Rishi Sunak’s outdoor election announcement was disrupted by heavy rain and a protester blasting music nearby. Despite the chaos, Sunak shrugged it off, branding himself a “not a fair-weather politician.”
15. Tour troubles
Jennifer Lopez cancelled her shows amidst rumours of poor ticket sales, while Madonna faced backlash for tardiness. On a brighter note, Kate Nash funded her tour by selling cheeky pictures online, highlighting the struggles of artists facing high costs and low streaming royalties.
From musical misfires to PR disasters, 2024 proved that even celebrities aren’t immune to the occasional flop. It’s a reminder that, despite their glamorous lives, stars are as fallible as the rest of us.
