• White Celebs We Loved, But Turns Out They Didn’t Love Us Back

    White Celebs We Loved, But Turns Out They Didn’t Love Us Back

    Black people are no strangers to racism, as many have been on the receiving end of racist treatment or racist remarks. But for some reason, it hits different when it comes from beloved actors and entertainers who we’d like to believe know better. And it especially touches a nerve when it’s celebs we liked.

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    As tributes poured in after the recent death of wrestler Hulk Hogan, we couldn’t help but think about his complicated legacy that includes racist comments along with championship wrestling titles.

    We’re looking at some of the white celebrities we’ve loved who didn’t always love us back.

    Hulk Hogan

    MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN – JULY 18: Professional entertainer and wrestler Hulk Hogan rips his shirt as he speaks on stage on the fourth day of the Republican National Convention at the Fiserv Forum on July 18, 2024 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

    While many are remembering late wrestler Hulk Hogan for his antics in the ring, it’s hard to ignore the fact that he’s done a lot of questionable things in the eyes of Black folks, including saying the N-word.

    In 2015, audio leaked of a conversation Hogan had discussing his disapproval of his daughter dating Black men, in which he used the N-word several times.

    In an interview with PEOPLE, Hogan admitted to using the slur and called it “one huge mistake.”

    Mel Gibson

    LONDON, ENGLAND – NOVEMBER 16: Actor Mel Gibson arrives at the UK Premiere of ‘Daddy’s Home 2’ at Vue West End on November 16, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by John Phillips/Getty Images)

    Actor Mel Gibson crossed the line in 2010 when audio was released of a violent message he left for his ex-girlfriend, Oksana Grigorieva, during a custody battle over their daughter. Gibson’s rant was full of offensive language, including the N-word.

    “You look like a pig in heat, and if you get raped by a pack of n*s, it will be your fault,” he said at the time.

    Leon Jinkins, former president of the Los Angeles chapter of the NAACP, issued a statement condemning Gibson’s comments at the time, writing:

    “No amount of words will change his image as an out-of-date and out-of-control racist.”

    Michael Richards

    NEW YORK – NOVEMBER 17: Actor Michael Richards attends the DVD Release Party for the first three seasons of “Seinfeld” held on November 17, 2004 at the Rainbow Room in Rockefeller Center, New York City. (Photo by Fernando Leon/Getty Images)

    Best known for his role as Kramer on the hit sitcom “Seinfeld,” actor Michael Richards found himself at the center of scrutiny after he responded to hecklers during a stand-up performance at a New York City club in the worst possible way – shouting the N-word at a group of Black audience members.

    Richards said his rant came from a place of rage, writing in his memoir “Entrances and Exits” that he made a decision to cancel himself after his outburst.

    “I took myself out. You don’t need to take me out, I’ll take myself out — I’ll save you the trouble,” he wrote. “I’m pulling back from the community…I need to get into soul work, OK? I need to get into myself more to know thyself, so I’m taking myself out of the situation.”

    Paula Deen

    NEW YORK, NY – DECEMBER 06: Cooking show host Paula Deen visits Fox & Friends Christmas Special at FOX Studios on December 6, 2012 in New York City. (Photo by Slaven Vlasic/Getty Images)

    Chef and television personality Paula Deen is known for her Southern cooking. But she’s known for making racist statements as well.

    In 2013, Deen and her brother were sued for sexual and racial workplace discrimination by one of her former restaurant managers. During her deposition, the chef admitted to using the N-word and saying that she wanted a “plantation-style wedding” with waiters dressed as slaves.

    “Well what I would really like is a bunch of little n—–s to wear long-sleeve white shirts, black shorts and black bow ties, you know in the Shirley Temple days, they used to tap dance around.” Paula Deen laughed and said “Now that would be a true southern wedding, wouldn’t it? But we can’t do that because the media would be on me about that,” transcripts from the deposition read.

    Paris Hilton

    NEW YORK, NEW YORK – JUNE 07: Paris Hilton speaks onstage at “The Trainer” premiere during the 2025 Tribeca Festival at SVA Theater on June 07, 2025 in New York City. (Photo by Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images for Tribeca Festival)

    Heiress and entrepreneur Paris Hilton has been called out for offensive statements she’s made about gay people and Jewish people. In his book, “Everyone Loves You When You’re Dead,” author Neil Strauss described an awful statement Hilton shared with him about Black men, writing.

    “I can’t stand Black guys. I would never touch one. It’s gross.”

    Dog the Bounty Hunter

    NEW YORK, NEW YORK – AUGUST 28:TV personality Duane Chapman aka Dog the Bounty Hunter visits “FOX & Friends” at FOX Studios on August 28, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Bennett Raglin/Getty Images)

    Duane Chapman is known to many as “Dog the Bounty Hunter.” But his show got the axe after a phone conversation in which he used the N-word to describe a Black woman his son was dating was released to the public.

    Roseanne Barr

    BEVERLY HILLS, CA – JANUARY 07: Roseanne Barr attends The 75th Annual Golden Globe Awards at The Beverly Hilton Hotel on January 7, 2018 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images)

    Actress Roseanne Barr got herself cancelled, literally in 2018 when she referred to aide to former President Barack Obama Valerie Jarrett as a product of the Muslim Brotherhood and “Planet of the Apes” in a post on X. In an interview after the incident, Barr said she didn’t know Jarrett was Black and claimed that she was taking sleep medication when she dropped the racist post.

    “I should have known better. I should have not done it. And I caused a lot of pain, and I know that, and that’s the worst feeling in the world,” she said in an apology.

    John Wayne

    circa 1960: Headshot portrait of American actor John Wayne (1907 – 1979) dressed as a cowboy with a bandana around his neck and a white cowboy hat on his head. (Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

    In 2020, The University of Southern California’s School of Cinematic Arts decided to remove an exhibit dedicated to actor John Wayne after past racist remarks resurfaced.

    “I believe in white supremacy until the blacks are educated to a point of responsibility,” the actor said in a 1971 interview with Playboy. “I don’t believe in giving authority and positions of leadership and judgment to irresponsible people.”

    Anthony Horowitz

    CANNES, FRANCE – APRIL 05: Anthony Horowitz attends the pink carpet during the 5th Canneseries Festival – Day Five on April 05, 2022 in Cannes, France. (Photo by Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images)

    In 2015, James Bond author Anthony Horowitz issued an apology after saying in an interview that he thought actor Idris Elba was “too street” to play the next 007. He tried to walk back his comments after the fact saying that he was thinking about Elba’s gritty character in the hit series “Luther.”

    In a post on X, Horowitz called it a “poor choice of word” and said he was “mortified” that his statement was caused offense.

    Giuiliana Rancic

    BEVERLY HILLS, CALIFORNIA – JANUARY 05: Giuliana Rancic attends the 77th Annual Golden Globe Awards at The Beverly Hilton Hotel on January 05, 2020 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)

    We know the E! commenters aren’t always nice when they’re working the red carpet, but former “Fashion Police” host Giuliana Rancic really crossed the line after she made comments about dreadlocks Zendaya wore to the 2015 Oscars, saying she looked like she looked like “she smells like patchouli oil and weed.”

    Zendaya kept it classy, calling Rancic’s remarks “ignorant” at the time.

    Abby Lee Miller

    NEW YORK, NEW YORK – JUNE 09: Abby Lee Miller visits the Empire State Building on June 09, 2022 in New York City. (Photo by Noam Galai/Getty Images for Empire State Realty Trust)

    “Dance Moms” star Abby Lee Miller was called out by the parent of one of her dancers for making racist comments. According to Adriana Smith,  mother of Kamryn Smith, Miller was way out of line on several occasions making racist statements like, “I know you grew up in the HOOD with only a box of 8 crayons, but I grew up in the Country Cub with a box of 64 – don’t be stupid” and saying that the reasonshe was there was because “they need a sprinkle of color.”

    Miller apologized to Kamryn, Adriana and “others her comments may have “anyone else I’ve hurt,” and promised to “educate herself” and “do better.”

    Tim Allen

    NEW YORK, NEW YORK – MAY 13: Tim Allen attends the 2025 Disney Upfront at Javits Center on May 13, 2025 in New York City. (Photo by Arturo Holmes/Getty Images)

    The Black community has a complicated relationship with actor and comedian Tim Allen. The “Home Improvement” star has made some comments that deserve a side-eye, including his insistence that saying “the N-word” is worse than using the actual term and saying that he doesn’t understand that it’s one word white people just shouldn’t use.

    “I’ve had this argument on stage a million times. I do a movie with Martin Lawrence and pretty soon they’re referring to me, ‘hey, my n*, what’s up,’” he said. “So I’m the n* if I’m around you guys but seven feet away, if I said n*, it’s not right.”

    Straight From The Root

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