Money, success, beauty, and fame—celebrities seem to have it all. Yet, as we know, even the most glamorous stars face their share of slip-ups, controversies, and blunders. From music mishaps to film flops, 2024 has been a year of celebrity failures that left many scratching their heads or laughing out loud. Here’s a look at 15 of the biggest flops and fails this year.
- Katy Perry’s comeback
Katy Perry’s much-hyped return to the music scene with her album 143 was meant to be a triumphant moment. Unfortunately, critics and fans alike deemed it a disappointment. Complaints ranged from the album sounding outdated to a regressive music video for Woman’s World, where Perry danced on a construction site in tiny outfits. Additionally, shooting the video in ecologically sensitive Balearic sand dunes didn’t sit well with environmentalists. Despite the backlash, Perry’s tour proved successful, with many defending the album as not as bad as critics made out. - Joker sequel bombing at the box office
The sequel to Joker, Joker: Folie à Deux, had high expectations after the first film’s $1bn (£790m) success. Unfortunately, the addition of a musical format turned off fans and critics who loved the original’s dark, gritty tone. With only $200m (£158m) in earnings, the film barely broke even, disappointing Hollywood’s expectations. - Ticketmaster’s dynamic pricing drama
Ticketmaster’s dynamic pricing for the Oasis reunion tour sparked outrage. Prices soared by £200, with tickets reaching £350, angering fans who felt the band’s working-class roots were being betrayed. While the Gallaghers distanced themselves from the pricing strategy, many fans faced cancellations of tickets purchased at inflated prices, turning what should have been a joyous occasion into a PR disaster. - The ruined surprise party
BBC weather presenter Kawser Quamer unintentionally ruined her niece’s surprise birthday party during a live TV interview in February. When she mentioned attending the party, the surprise element was lost, causing an awkward but endearing moment that went viral. Despite the mishap, Quamer managed to keep the surprise intact by convincing her niece that the party was for a different relative. - Kaos canceled
Netflix’s Greek mythology series Kaos, starring Jeff Goldblum, was cancelled after only one season despite initial fan interest. Although viewers campaigned for its return, Netflix’s data-driven decisions indicated low ratings and poor completion rates, leading to its swift cancellation. Fans were left disappointed by the loss of a potentially fascinating series. - Co-op live arena technical troubles
Manchester’s newest live venue, Co-op Live Arena, had a rocky start. After multiple cancellations due to technical issues, including a ventilation unit falling from the ceiling, the venue finally hosted its first successful concert by Elbow. However, the delays and disruptions meant many events, including concerts by Olivia Rodrigo and Peter Kay, were moved or cancelled. - Joe Biden’s debate performance
US President Joe Biden’s performance in a June debate raised eyebrows, with many critics describing him as distant and frail. Struggling to finish sentences, Biden was outpaced by his opponent Donald Trump, leading to a significant dip in his presidential campaign. Calls for him to step down, including from figures like George Clooney, saw Kamala Harris replace him as the Democratic candidate. - The olympics opening ceremony
The Paris Olympics opening ceremony in 2024 got off to a soggy start. Celine Dion’s barnstorming performance was overshadowed by heavy rain, and the decision to spread the ceremony across the city rather than in one stadium led to logistical nightmares. Additionally, a controversial scene involving drag queens stirred up backlash, leading to further public debate about the event’s direction. - The unofficial bridgeton ball
Fans of Bridgerton were promised an enchanting experience at an unofficial Regency-era ball. Instead, they were greeted with subpar food, a violinist, and a pole dancer. The creators blamed “organisational challenges,” but the event was quickly ridiculed by attendees and online critics alike. - Eurovision: The whole thing
Eurovision 2024 was plagued with controversy. From security issues surrounding Israel’s participation to backstage incidents, the event was marred by mishaps. The disqualification of Dutch singer Joost Klein and the accidental trophy break by the winner Nemo added to the chaos, culminating in the UK finishing 18th.
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- Broadcasting blunders
In October, BBC’s Laura Kuenssberg made an embarrassing error when she accidentally sent her briefing notes to former Prime Minister Boris Johnson. Meanwhile, ITV faced complaints when Yvette Cooper was interviewed by her husband, Ed Balls, about unrest in the UK. The unorthodox situation prompted complaints to Ofcom. - The oppenheimer stage invasion
At the Baftas, a man snuck onto the stage during Oppenheimer’s Best Film win. Although the intruder, later identified as YouTuber Lizwani, remained silent, the moment was awkward enough to prompt security upgrades at future events. - Cynthia erivo’s poster reaction
Actress Cynthia Erivo stirred up controversy when she reacted negatively to a fan’s edited poster of Wicked. The fan’s attempt to pay homage to the Broadway poster ended with Erivo claiming it erased her contribution to the film. The incident quickly became a meme, but Erivo handled it with grace, later explaining her reaction as a human moment of protective instinct. - Rishi sunak in the rain
In May, UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak made a public announcement about the upcoming general election, only to do so in a torrential downpour. The awkward moment was made worse by an anti-Tory activist who disrupted the announcement with loud music. Sunak remained stoic, later saying he was “not a fair-weather politician.” - Tour troubles
Several major tours in 2024 faced setbacks. Jennifer Lopez cancelled shows due to poor ticket sales, while Madonna’s fans grew frustrated with her lateness. Meanwhile, Adele had a miscommunication with a fan during her Las Vegas residency, leading to her swearing at the wrong person. Kate Nash, however, kept her tour afloat by selling unconventional art for funding.
2024 has proven that even the most successful stars and institutions can have their off moments. But, as always, the show must go on.
