Christmas is usually a time for joy, but for some celebrities, this year marks a chance to move on from a difficult twelve months.
Ugh, 2025 was wild for celebrity news! It felt like every other week there was some huge scandal or drama unfolding. Between all the crazy court battles and those campaigns that just kept everyone talking, it was honestly non-stop! I couldn’t look away, honestly. It was a total rollercoaster!
The past year has been full of drama, with public figures facing scandal, relationships ending unexpectedly, and serious misconduct being reported at work – issues that required more than just a simple conversation with Human Resources.
As we approach 2026, the Daily Mail revisits some of the biggest and most surprising scandals from the past year.
Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni’s court case
A year ago, Blake Lively filed a lawsuit against Justin Baldoni, her director and co-star in the hit movie It Ends With Us, alleging sexual harassment and retaliation.
She’s asking for $161 million to cover personal and financial damages, claiming it’s a result of retaliation and a negative campaign against her.
And 2025 has been filled with constant updates in the dramatic legal battle between the pair.
Justin strongly refuted Blake’s accusations and quickly filed a $400 million lawsuit against her, claiming she was trying to extort him and damaging his reputation. However, a judge later threw out Justin’s case.
Now the misconduct case is set to begin next May, after originally being scheduled for March.
Judge Lewis Liman explained that his court schedule is full, with two criminal trials already scheduled for March 2026.
‘As important as this case is, criminal trials take precedence,’ the judge said.
Adding another layer to the case, Judge Liman has asked a magistrate judge to try and help both sides reach a settlement, despite the fact that both parties currently seem determined to proceed to trial.
P Diddy’s trial
Sean “Diddy” Combs received a sentence of four years and two months in federal prison last month following his conviction in a prostitution case. He was initially accused of more serious crimes, including racketeering and sex trafficking.
On October 30th, the singer of “I’ll Be Missing You” was moved from a jail in Brooklyn to a federal prison in Fort Dix, New Jersey.
Let me tell you, from what I understand, this person is really focused on getting better. His publicist, Juda Engelmayer, shared with NBC News that he’s fully committed to staying sober, working on his healing journey, and, importantly, wants to be a positive role model for others. It’s great to see someone prioritizing their well-being and taking responsibility.
He’s landed a highly sought-after position working at the prison chapel and is participating in a drug rehabilitation program which may shorten his sentence by up to a year.
I’ve heard he’s gone above and beyond while inside. Apparently, he’s actually started teaching other inmates how to become entrepreneurs! It’s amazing – he’s running his own class at the prison, which is about 40 miles from Philadelphia. It really shows his dedication and drive, even in that situation.
His spokesperson said he’s focused on staying sober and maintaining self-discipline, and is committed to making it a priority.
Coldplay’s Kiss Cam
A couple’s affair became a major online sensation this summer after they were spotted on the kiss cam during a Coldplay concert. The moment was broadcast for all to see, quickly becoming one of the biggest stories of the season.
In mid-July, Andrew Byron, CEO of the AI company Astronomer, appeared on the large screen at Boston’s Gillette Stadium alongside Kristin Cabot, the company’s head of HR, during a concert.
Oh my god, it was everything. They totally panicked when the camera swung around! Andrew just disappeared, and Kristin actually turned her back! And then Chris, being the absolute legend he is, was all, ‘Are they having an affair, or are they just super shy?’ I nearly died, seriously. It was the cutest, most chaotic moment ever, and I’ve rewatched the clip like a million times!
The embarrassing incident quickly spread online, leading to both individuals leaving their jobs at Astronomer. Shortly after, the company surprisingly featured Gwyneth Paltrow, ex-wife of Coldplay’s lead singer, in a new advertisement.
According to public records, both Andrew and Kristin were married, but they weren’t living with their husbands or wives. Each of them had a different address than their spouse.
Kristin’s husband, Andrew Calbot, stated that they had separated privately and on good terms several weeks before she attended the Coldplay concert.
Gwyneth Paltrow created a buzz online after partnering with Astronomer as a short-term spokesperson and appearing in a video promoting them on LinkedIn.
I’ve been following the astronomer for a while now, and she recently mentioned she’s been flooded with questions. She asked me to help address the ones people are asking most often, and the first one that popped up on the screen was… well, let’s just say it started with a very strong exclamation and a rather colorful phrase! It was definitely a bit shocking, but she’s trying to answer everything, even the most… enthusiastic questions.
The broadcast was briefly interrupted, then returned to Paltrow, who said with a straight face: ‘Absolutely! Astronomer is the ideal platform for running Apache Airflow. We’re excited by the recent surge in interest in automating data workflows.’
Russell Brand’s sex offender allegations
Russell Brand entered a not guilty plea in May to charges stemming from alleged sexual assaults. He is accused of raping a woman in Bournemouth in 1999 and of sexual assault and oral rape of another woman in London in 2004.
The comedian faces charges related to two separate incidents. He is accused of indecently assaulting one woman in 2001 and sexually assaulting another woman between 2004 and 2005. Both alleged assaults occurred in Westminster.
In September 2023, Brand faced criminal accusations after a collaborative investigation by The Sunday Times, The Times, and Channel 4 Dispatches.
The star, who now lives in Florida, appeared at Southwark Court in May and denied all five charges.
He will stand trial next year in June 2026.
Oliver Schneider-Sikorsky, the lawyer who recently defended Kevin Spacey in a sexual assault case, is representing Russell.
In 1999, the court was told that he is accused of raping a woman in a hotel room. They had met earlier that same day at a theater event held after the Labour Party Conference in Bournemouth.
The prosecutor stated that the defendant forced the woman onto the bed, removed her pants and underwear, and then sexually assaulted her. He also left her with his email address.
Then, the court heard from another woman claiming Russell sexually assaulted her. It was really difficult to listen to her account, and she described the incident in detail. I felt awful for her having to relive it all in court.
He’s been accused of grabbing the woman’s arm and trying to pull her into a men’s restroom at the TV station.
In court, it was revealed that Russell allegedly met a television industry worker in Soho. He is accused of sexually assaulting her, including grabbing her breasts, forcing her into a restroom, and then performing oral sex on her against her will.
The last person to make a complaint was someone who worked at a radio station. They met Russell when he was working on the Big Brother spin-off show, Big Mouth, for Channel 4, the court was told.
According to reports, Russell allegedly held the woman’s face in both hands, pushed her against a wall, and forcibly kissed her. He is also accused of grabbing her breasts and buttocks.
A$AP Rocky’s court case
Rihanna and her partner, A$AP Rocky, learned in February that he had been acquitted of shooting a friend after a fight in Hollywood in 2021. This news came several months before they welcomed their third child in September.
The 37-year-old musician, who has been nominated for a Grammy three times, is facing two serious charges of assault. He’s accused of attacking his former friend, Terell Ephron, also known as A$AP Relli, with a semiautomatic gun.
The two were once close friends and part of the A$AP Mob group when they were in high school in New York, but their friendship faded after Rocky achieved fame.
Rihanna began to cry when the jury announced the rapper was not guilty. Overjoyed, he immediately rushed to her and embraced her, having avoided a potential prison sentence of up to 24 years.
As A$AP Rocky left the courtroom, he happily thanked the jury – made up of seven women and five men – saying they had saved his life.
He was later seen enjoying a celebratory dinner with Rihanna in Beverly Hills.
During the three-week court case, Relli claimed that Rocky, whose legal name is Rakim Athelston Mayers, shot at him twice with a handgun, and the bullets lightly grazed his knuckles.
The rapper’s attorney, Joe Tacopina, stated his client was carrying a non-functional prop gun. He also strongly criticized the opposing witness, Relli, calling him an ‘angry, compulsive liar’ who repeatedly lied under oath throughout the trial.
As a lifestyle expert, I’ve been following this case closely, and honestly, it’s been tricky to understand exactly why the jury came to their decision. It wasn’t obvious whether they believed the gun wasn’t real – that it was just a prop – or if they felt his actions were justified as self-defense. It really came down to interpreting those two possibilities.
Rihanna took to Instagram with an uplifting message after the verdict was read out.
The artist, known for ‘We Found Love,’ expressed gratitude, stating, ‘All the praise and honor belong to God!’ and added, ‘I am deeply thankful and humbled by His kindness.’
The musical artist was emotional as he embraced his lawyers after the verdict was read.
Sydney Sweeney’s jeans fallout
Sydney Sweeney sparked debate with an American Eagle jeans ad that playfully used the phrase ‘Sydney Sweeney Has Great Jeans,’ referencing the similar-sounding ‘great genes.’
The phrase and the actress’ appearance sparked a strong online backlash when the ad was released in July, with many people claiming it promoted harmful ideas about racial purity and white supremacy. Some viewers even said the ad resembled propaganda from Nazi Germany.
The actress initially responded to the controversy surrounding her American Eagle advertisement in a November interview with GQ. She explained she had simply done a jeans ad and hadn’t paid attention to the negative reaction because she was busy with filming.
She recently starred in a jeans advertisement, and the public’s response was unexpected, though she admits she’s a huge fan. ‘I practically live in jeans and a T-shirt,’ she explained to the magazine. That’s all I ever wear!’
I understood what the advertisement was promoting – jeans – but it didn’t really have any impact on me either way.
I’ve never felt the need to tell others what to believe. I’m confident in who I am, what’s important to me, and that I’m a good person. I care deeply about others and I’m looking forward to the future, so I don’t let anyone else dictate my identity.
Her response at that time was perceived by some media critics and fans as dismissive.
The celebrity recently addressed the controversy in an interview with People, explaining that her silence about the problematic advertisement actually made the situation worse.
I was really surprised by how people reacted,” she explained. “I only did it because I genuinely like the jeans and the company behind them. I definitely don’t agree with the opinions some people associated with the campaign.
‘Many have assigned motives and labels to me that just aren’t true,’ she added.
As a lifestyle expert, I really admired how American Eagle handled the recent criticism. They stayed true to their message, emphasizing that the campaign was all about celebrating individual style, feeling confident in who you are, and being authentic – and that’s something I always champion!
Sweeney stated she opposes hate and prioritizes kindness, and she’s addressing this issue now to get rid of negativity.
As many people know, I believe in unity and working to connect with others. I strongly oppose hate and anything that divides us,” the actor explained while promoting her new film, The Housemaid, which stars Amanda Seyfried and was directed by Paul Feig.
I used to avoid responding to anything written about me, whether good or bad. But I’ve realized that staying quiet hasn’t helped the situation – it’s actually made things worse.
‘So, I hope this new year brings more focus on what connects us instead of what divides us.’
Jay Z’s lawsuit
In February, Jay-Z celebrated a legal win when the lawsuit against him – claiming he and Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs had assaulted a 13-year-old in 2000 – was dropped by the accuser’s lawyer.
Okay, so I was totally following everything with Diddy, and now this?! Apparently, after the 2000 VMAs, someone filed a lawsuit in December – my lawyer friend Tony Buzbee is handling it – and it names both Diddy and the rapper, who’s also 55! I’m just…completely shocked and need to know everything.
Jay-Z has responded to the dismissal of a lawsuit against him, calling it a win. He stated that the claims made in the case were baseless and without substance, and he was confident it would be dismissed all along.
Honestly, the story they came up with was just ridiculous, and it would have been funny if they weren’t presenting it as something real. It was a truly unpleasant experience, and I wouldn’t want anyone else to go through it.
Jay-Z shared how the legal battle has been difficult for his whole family, including his wife, Beyoncé.
The pain and suffering my family and I have experienced is something that can’t be ignored or minimized.
It’s frustrating that lawyers can file lawsuits under anonymous names, and if their case fails, they face no consequences. This demonstrates a serious flaw in the legal system.
He concluded his heartfelt statement by offering broader thoughts on how the courts handle sexual assault cases.
Jay-Z stated that courts need to protect victims, but also have a responsibility to ensure innocent people aren’t wrongly accused without any proof. He hopes the truth comes out for both those who have been harmed and those falsely accused.
Lily Allen and David Harbour’s split
As a big fan of both Lily Allen and David Harbour, I was really saddened to hear they’d broken up back in January. It was definitely one of the most talked-about splits in the entertainment world this year.
Following the end of her marriage, the singer sought help at an £8,000-a-week center specializing in trauma, after confiding in friends that she was struggling with her mental health.
Lily and David split up after Lily suspected David of infidelity. She believed he had been having a three-year affair with a costume designer, starting after she saw activity suggesting he was on the dating app Raya.
Lily was reportedly devastated to find out the actor had a hidden profile on a dating app for celebrities, according to The Mail on Sunday.
The singer created her own account on the dating app, claiming she was interested in women, and discovered her ex-husband, David, had a profile there. Reports suggest his profile had been active for at least a month.
I’ve been following Lily for years, and her new album, West End Girl, is just…wow. It’s incredibly raw and honest. She’s taken all the pain from her divorce and turned it into something powerful. She doesn’t hold back at all – she sings about finding out about his secret place, and even names the woman he was having an affair with, Madeline. It’s heartbreaking, but so beautifully expressed.
The album begins with a painful revelation: Lily learned that David had actually suggested they try an open relationship, but with certain rules.
She reveals David’s inappropriate behavior and rule-breaking, along with explicit details about his affair and relationship. This includes discovering a large number of sex toys and condoms at a place she derisively calls his ‘playhouse’.
Although the singer is often very direct in her confessions, she also uses subtle hints. For example, in the song “Madeline,” she implies involvement with prostitution, mentioning that a man named David could sleep with other women ‘as long as he paid for it’.
Throughout the album, Madeline is a recurring figure. Lily seems to be identifying the woman David was having an affair with and shares a conversation where she tries to figure out if he was emotionally involved, not just physically.
I’ve noticed she keeps singing, ‘Who the heck is Madeleine?’ It’s become a bit of a thing! She’s so fascinated by the story that she even dressed up as Madeleine for Halloween – it was pretty dedicated, honestly.
MasterChef scandal
MasterChef, formerly the most popular cooking show on television, is facing controversy after both of its hosts were fired this year.
John Torode, age 60, left his position in July following accusations of using a racially offensive term. His co-host, Gregg Wallace, was also let go after complaints about his behavior were confirmed, including using inappropriate language and making unwanted physical contact.
John lost his job after accusations surfaced that he used highly offensive and racist language in 2018. He says he doesn’t remember making those statements.
The allegation came to light during an investigation into his former co-host’s behaviour on set.
Okay, so John just posted this thing online, and honestly, it’s exactly what I’ve been saying all along! He’s basically like, ‘I don’t need to prove anything to anyone, I know who I am!’ It’s so frustrating that people are even questioning him. He doesn’t need to convince anyone he’s a good person – he is! It’s like, can’t people just see that?! I’m just so proud he’s finally speaking up about it, seriously.
I don’t need to prove my value to anyone. I’m not trying to earn affection or fix problems I didn’t create. I’m simply being myself, and I won’t fight for others to recognize that.
‘Whatever you do is on you – and that’s your journey, not mine. As for me? I’m moving forward.’
John began co-hosting the show with Grace, but he later found out he was being let go through an article on the BBC News website.
Gregg also left the popular BBC cooking show after concerns were raised about his behavior. An investigation confirmed 45 out of 83 complaints, and a total of 41 individuals filed complaints.
The review found that most of the proven claims against Wallace involved inappropriate jokes and talk of a sexual nature.
Honestly, it’s just awful hearing all this. Beyond the main stuff, they’ve confirmed even more – like, apparently there were claims of him saying other inappropriate things and even being inappropriately dressed. And the worst part? They actually verified one instance of unwanted physical contact. It’s just… devastating to hear, even though I’ve always been such a huge fan.
The former host of Eat Well for Less? told The Sun that while he admitted to some of the allegations, he felt things had been misunderstood.
Gregg estimates he’s worked with about 4,000 people, and says only a tiny fraction – just half a percent – have ever had something negative to say about him.
He explained his behavior stemmed from things he’d learned and the environment at work, and also mentioned a recent autism diagnosis as a contributing factor.
He acknowledged he’s different and often has trouble understanding others, which leads people to see him as unusual. He explained that autism is a recognized disability.
Gregg has stated in the past that he believes the BBC didn’t adequately support him while he worked on MasterChef for two decades.
He shared that his autism, now officially diagnosed, was something his colleagues had noticed and talked about throughout his many seasons on MasterChef.
For more than 20 years, no one looked into my disability or took steps to keep me safe from a harmful situation, which I understand now was quite dangerous.
Strictly scandals
Strictly Come Dancing has faced a challenging few years, dealing with issues like inappropriate comments, accusations of bullying, and official investigations.
And back in August, a Strictly Come Dancing star was arrested on suspicion of rape.
Police questioned a man regarding accusations that he shared intimate images without the consent of the people in them.
Police arrested a man on August 22nd on suspicion of rape and sharing intimate images without consent, a Metropolitan Police spokesperson told the Daily Mail.
We’re working with Hertfordshire Constabulary on this investigation, and we’re asking anyone who might have information to please get in touch. It’s still early in the process, but any help could be valuable.
Police arrested someone after receiving a report of sexual offences and drug-related crimes. The investigation is still underway.
The Met Police also added the alleged rape victim is being supported by specialist officers.
A BBC representative stated that they couldn’t discuss the police investigation while it was still happening.
There is nothing to suggest this is related to the current Strictly production.
The show is facing its most serious problem yet, and after 23 years, hosts Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman have decided to leave. This follows a recent scandal that has caused significant issues.
In 2024, 53-year-old Wynne Evans faced accusations of inappropriate conduct after making a comment at a press event that was considered sexually suggestive. Although he claimed it wasn’t intended that way, the BBC later fired him.
In 2023, 51-year-old Amanda Abbington accused 34-year-old Giovanni Pernice of being unkind and mistreating her, describing his behavior as abusive and cruel.
Although he was found not guilty on most of the accusations, the investigation did confirm some of her claims of verbal bullying and harassment.
That same year, Zara McDermott, a former contestant on Love Island, was deeply upset after an incident during training with Graziano Di Prima, 31. He admitted to kicking her, which led to him being removed from the project.
The television network has begun investigating a family-friendly program following reports that two of its actors allegedly used cocaine.
During the investigation into drug use, one of the actors was also reportedly seen drinking alcohol on set, as crew members noticed a smell of alcohol on their breath.
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2025-12-28 22:55