Black Celebrity Lawsuits The Culture Will Never Let Us Forget

Society’s relationship with the idea of celebrity is quite complicated, mainly in the sense that negative press is just as salacious in comparison to the good news — actually, greater in most cases! MORE: Tiffany Haddish Hires Lawyer Who Defended Prince Andrew From Jeffrey Epstein-Related Child Sex Abuse Claim From Kanye West teasing a breach of contract battles with both Adidas and Gap, to the hair-raising allegations of child molestation being thrown at comedians Tiffany Haddish and Aries Spears, let’s just say a lot is currently happening on a legal front when it comes to many of our Black celebrities. A lot of people on social media have been expressing similar sentiments as the Twitter user above regarding the lawsuit against Haddish and Spears. Haddish made matters worse when she hired the same lawyer who previously defended Prince Andrew from similar high-profile claims that involved convicted child sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein.

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According to the lawsuit, Haddish and Spears allegedly recruited and groomed them to appear in video footage that included the boy wearing only underwear and playing “with a train in a manner that suggests phallic masturbation,” according to the Daily Beast, which first reported the lawsuit. The boy was 7 years old and the time and the girl was 14. It’s the latest example of bright talents in the industry over the years that somehow found the misfortune of making a turn down the wrong path. Murder, sexual assault, perjury, child endangerment, spousal abuse — you name it, there’s a good chance we can name someone famous that’s been accused of the allegation. At a time when everything is being put on front street, we look back on some of the most shocking celebrity lawsuits that won’t be slipping our minds anytime soon. Some were found guilty as charged, while others surprisingly got off scot-free. Each of these cautionary tales however teaches us the valuable lesson that crime simply doesn’t pay, even for the rich and famous.

Take a look at some shocking Black celebrity lawsuits that will forever be etched in the minds of the general public, including a now-infamous Bronco ride that led to the trial of the century, a handful of musicians that disappointed their fanbases, and a hate crime hoax that even ruined one TV star’s career:

SEE ALSO: Ben Crump Sues Louisiana Over Claims ‘Wealthy White Men’ Raped Black Children In The State’s Care Man Testifies R. Kelly Sexually Abused Him As A Teenage Aspiring Rapper Who ‘Wanted To Make It In The Music Industry’

1. Michael Jackson

The 2005 trial, which ended in a not guilty verdict, ultimately proved that many were simply out for the King Of Pop’s massive fortune. However, the allegations of child sex abuse leveraged against him have sadly even haunted his posthumous legacy. 

2. R. Kelly

What was seen as injustice back in 2008 when Kellz was acquitted in a now-infamous child pornography case has since been rectified with recent charges for the same thing that resulted in a decades-long conviction. It’s still unbelievable he even got off in the first place.

3. Travis Scott

While the Rodeo emcee himself didn’t physically cause deaths that occurred in the 2021 Astroworld Festival tragedy, many saw his lack of action and overall rage-centric behavior at past shows as reason to put the blood on his hands. He’s still doing damage control to get the general public back on his side.

4. Mo'Nique

Standing up for what you believe and know is right came full-circle with this example of Mo’Nique’s discrimination lawsuit against Netflix. Not only was she able to settle, but her new comedy special with the streaming giant premieres in late 2022. Let’s go, Mo!

5. Jussie Smollett

Many of us were raised to never tell a lie, but sadly it appeared that Smollett missed that schoolyard lesson with his horrid 2019 hate crime hoax that spent years in the headlines. He’s was found guilty, sentenced to 150 days in prison and then surprisingly got released less than a week later by the appeals court. Not only is this one shocking, but add confusing to the list as well!

6. Blac Chyna

Ray J is the latest to try and go up against the Kardashians, but he may want to look at Blac Chyna as an example before going full force. Her entanglement with Rob Kardashian, Kylie Jenner and OG baby daddy Tyga that sparked the multimillion-dollar lawsuit, which eventually got dismissed, still feels like a reality TV script gone terribly wrong. 

7. O.J. Simpson

Watch the countless documentaries, or the award-winning 2016 FX series, if you want a full discourse on why this moment will forever be burned into the memories of everyone who was alive to witness the events in-motion. The fact that Simpson is a free man today and working on his second act is the most shocking thing outside of Nicole Brown Simpson’s gruesome 1994 murder.