The world is changing and people seem to be more and more aware of the outrageous and intolerable situations, to the point of “canceling” different celebrities every year, no matter how respected or loved they have been in the past, to place them under virtual judgment and public of the social networks, with an almost always definitive sentence of general rejection, which conditions the future of the career and image of the affected person.
A few weeks ago the most recent emerged, after the Academy banned Will Smith from the Oscar ceremonies for ten years for the also famous blow he dealt to Chris Rock during the last ceremony.
The previous list is long and diverse, from well-known writers like JK Rowling, whose saga of Harry Potter novels have given her international fame, to former cartoon characters like Pepe LePew, whose faults had not been reproached until very recently.
Kevin Spacey
In 2017, in the midst of the #MeToo wave in Hollywood, after the accusations against the producer, Harvey Wenstein, the actor Anthony Rapp accused Spacey of having sexually abused him when he was still a minor, during a party in the eighties.
The actor assured that he did not remember what happened because of the alcohol. However, 15 more men made accusations ranging from sexual harassment at work to rape.
Spacey was fired from the series he starred in, House of Cards, and in All the Money in the World, a film he had already shot, so director Ridley Scott re-recorded all his scenes, replacing him with Christopher Plummer. Rapp’s case is pending resolution.
J. K. Rowling
In June 2020, JK Rowling published a tweet in which she questioned the expression “menstruating person” instead of the word “woman”.
“If the sex isn’t real, there’s no same-sex attraction. If sex is not real, the reality lived by women worldwide is erased. I know and love trans people, but erasing the concept of sex takes away the ability for many to meaningfully discuss their lives. It’s not hateful to tell the truth,” she added.
Despite his clarification, these arguments were considered transphobic on social networks and a boycott was called against him. Along with 150 other authors and academics, the writer published an open letter defending “open debate.”
However, it has been possible to perceive a notable decrease in the sales of the Harry Potter books, which were withdrawn from a bookstore in Australia, as a protest against their creator.
Woody Allen
The renowned film director accumulates accusations, the first from Mia Farrow, who pointed him out for having abused their daughter. Daughter Dylan Farrow grew up and endorsed her mother’s accusations. Although director Allen has always denied everything; However, these remarks motivated a group of actors who had worked with the filmmaker to declare their regret for having collaborated on his films.
Likewise, the Hachette publishing house refused to publish his autobiography. Amazon also canceled a contract with the director, earning a lawsuit from him. For his part, Woody Allen continues to work in Europe with American, French and Spanish actors, and his next film will be in Paris.
Pepe Le Pew and Apu
Fictional but famous, both characters were singled out as offensive, the Looney Toons skunk for the sexual harassment practices he incurred in his classic short films, to the point of erasing him from the cast of the most recent installment of Space Jam (2021). While the Indian merchant from The Simpsons had to leave the long-running series and without farewell, after he sparked controversy on social networks about the character’s stereotypical characteristics, to the detriment of people of Indian and Hindu origin.
Placido Domingo
27 women denounced the tenor Placido Domingo for sexual harassment in 2019. Although the singer initially denied the accusations, he had to resign as director of the Los Angeles Opera and cancel concerts.
The union of lyrical artists in the United States (AGMA) concluded that the tenor had maintained inappropriate behavior and abused his power in 2020. “I accept full responsibility for my actions,” Placido Domingo finally acknowledged.
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