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Brandi Glanville's Nair Disaster and Other Celebrity Fails That Prove Fame Can’t Fix Bad Judgment
Celebrities may seem invincible on screen and on stage, but their personal lives are just like ours. However, theirs are magnified tenfold thanks to their time in the spotlight. Some celebrity mistakes are minor, unnoticed by the general population, but others go viral for all the wrong reasons. Impulsive, foolish decisions haunt us all, and these celebs each have their own reckless story to tell.
247 Tempo brings you a list of celebrities who made strange, painful, or ill-advised decisions and suffered for it. Each of these stars learned from their choices the hard way: that not every idea is worth acting on. Some choices cost them plenty of money, and others harmed their health or career. And some of these celebrities have even made mistakes you need to see in order to believe.
To compile this list, we reviewed sources like the Los Angeles Times, People, Entertainment Weekly, The Daily Beast, The Independent, Business Insider, and more. Whether these were honest mistakes, publicity stunts, or something in between, no one can deny how poor these celebrity choices were. Let's dive into the unbelievable details now.
Brandi Glanville – Chemical Burn from Nair
Brandi Glanville, a former model and reality star known for her time on 'The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills,' shocked fans when she revealed severe chemical burns on her already-suffering face. She attempted to remove what she believes to be a facial parasite by applying Nair hair removal cream to her skin. Leaving the product on for several minutes led to serious damage and inflammation across her cheeks and jawline. After her mistake, Glanville warned others never to try such a dangerous beauty experiment, as she is currently in the process of figuring out what her skin needs to heal.
Kim Kardashian – Vampire Facial Regret
Kim Kardashian once underwent something called a 'vampire facial', a process that involved using her own blood as part of a cosmetic treatment. The procedure left her face absolutely covered in blood, and an image she posted of the process quickly went viral. Kardashian later admitted the experience was extremely painful and something she wouldn't repeat because of the pain. Despite her influence in beauty trends, she openly discouraged this particular method and it has since fallen out of favor.
Miranda Kerr – Leech Therapy for Skin
Supermodel Miranda Kerr shocked fans when she revealed she's tried leech therapy in the past for multiple beauty purposes. The treatment involves leeches sucking blood from the face or any other areas to remove toxins and improve circulation; she once kept leeches in her koi pond, stating that they're never reused once they've been involved in this bizarre process. Kerr praised the experience, but dermatologists were skeptical of any actual benefits or improvements to her skin. Her endorsement of using leeches caused a media stir and plenty of speculation from her fanbase.
Sandra Bullock – Hemorrhoid Cream for Wrinkles
Even Oscar-winner Sandra Bullock isn't immune to strange beauty hacks; she once confessed to using hemorrhoid cream under her eyes to help battle inflammation there. She shared this unconventional beauty tip during a red carpet interview with little shame, but the statement ended up sparking curiosity and confusion. While some experts acknowledged it could temporarily tighten skin, most cautioned against using it long-term.
Gwyneth Paltrow – Bee Sting Therapy
In 2017, Gwyneth Paltrow promoted the use of bee sting therapy, where live bees are used to sting people for the supposed healing effects held within their venom. She described the experience as painful but absolutely worth it for its anti-inflammatory benefits, citing that the process (known as apitherapy) has been around for centuries. Medical professionals, however, warned about the serious allergic risks involved, and a woman even died from trying the same process on herself.
Victoria Beckham – Bird Poop Facial
Victoria Beckham reportedly swears by a Japanese facial treatment made from powdered nightingale droppings; apparently, no other type of bird excrement will do. The so-called 'bird poop facial' is used for exfoliation and skin brightening, and is marketed as an ancient Geisha secret. However, both critics and fans question the hygiene and effectiveness of this beauty secret, as it takes a brave, perhaps foolish, soul who's willing to smear bird poo on their face.
Joaquin Phoenix – Letterman Stunt Gone Wrong
Joaquin Phoenix appeared on David Letterman's show in 2009, acting absolutely unhinged and unkempt to promote a mockumentary, something he wasn't actually supposed to be promoting during this particular interview. The performance, later revealed to be a publicity hoax, left audiences confused and concerned about his mental health. Phoenix later apologized and called it one of the worst nights of his life, though Letterman reportedly found the interview hilarious.
Heidi Montag – 10 Surgeries in One Day
Reality star Heidi Montag underwent a shocking ten plastic surgery procedures in a single day, including a brow lift, breast augmentation, and chin reduction. She later admitted the surgeries nearly killed her and left her feeling numb, questioning whether it was all worth it. Montag’s dramatic transformation was also widely criticized in the media, and she has since expressed regret for chasing supposed physical perfection.
Lil Uzi Vert – Diamond Implant in Forehead
Rapper Lil Uzi Vert actually had a $24 million pink diamond implanted into his forehead via dermal piercing as a fashion statement. The diamond was reportedly ripped out by fans at a concert while he was crowd diving, but he recently showed off the stone on an Instagram Live session with fans. While no longer embedded in his face, he admitted the procedure was dangerous and foolish.
Lindsay Lohan – Drunken Hijacking Incident
Lindsay Lohan once infamously commandeered a stranger’s SUV while intoxicated and led police on an ultimately tame and low-speed chase. The incident resulted in multiple criminal charges and became a tabloid sensation. With Lohan’s promising acting career falling apart afterward, this moment marked the peak of her downward spiral in many ways.
Shia LaBeouf – Paper Bag Red Carpet Stunt
Actor Shia LaBeouf arrived at a film premiere wearing a paper bag over his head with the words 'I am not famous anymore' written on it. While not necessarily odd on its own, the bizarre display was part of a broader pattern of his increasingly erratic public behavior. Though it was intended as performance art, it ultimately alienated fans and peers alike, contributing to LaBeouf's general fall from grace.
Azealia Banks – Witchcraft Confession
In 2016, rapper Azealia Banks posted videos of herself cleaning out a closet, one she said was used for animal sacrifices in witchcraft rituals and ceremonies. The graphic content shocked fans and led to widespread backlash, as sacrificing chickens was just one admission from the star. She claimed the practice was tied to her religion, but the revelation hurt her public image, and it is unclear how much witchcraft she practices today.
Dennis Rodman – North Korea Friendship
Former NBA star Dennis Rodman developed an absolutely unlikely friendship with North Korea's leader, Kim Jong-un, after visiting the typically off-limits country. Though Rodman claimed he was promoting peace, most critics and fans saw it as dangerous and insensitive. It ultimately affected his public image and changed how people viewed him.
Charlie Sheen – 'Winning' Meltdown
In an absolutely unforgettable moment of celebrity mistakes, Charlie Sheen famously declared he was 'winning' during a chaotic series of interviews in 2011. After being fired from 'Two and a Half Men', he claimed to have 'tiger blood' within his veins, denouncing his producers and co-stars in what appeared to be a jealous spiral. Though he became a viral meme, his career took a serious hit from the interviews, ultimately resulting in his admission to addiction.
Pete Davidson – Hillary Clinton Tattoo
While often known for his silly mistakes, comedian Pete Davidson once tattooed Hillary Clinton’s face on his leg after the 2016 election, calling her his 'hero.' Clinton actually responded to the choice humorously, but Davidson eventually covered it up, stating it was a bad idea spurred by impulse, something he's well-known and perhaps even adored for.