14 Times Celebrities Tried to Be Relatable and Failed
Celebrities love to remind us that they’re “just like us.” They shop for groceries, stress about money, and totally understand what it’s like to have a bad day at work, at least, that’s the idea. In reality, those attempts at relatability often land somewhere between awkward and wildly out of touch. From tone-deaf comments about wealth to painfully staged “normal people” moments, these efforts usually backfire fast. Here are the times celebrities tried really hard to seem relatable and accidentally reminded everyone just how disconnected they actually are.
Gal Gadot – “Imagine” (2020)
A well-meaning attempt to unite people during lockdown that ended up highlighting just how insulated celebrities really were.
Kim Kardashian – “Get Your ‘Behind’ Up and Work”
Motivation that ignored privilege, access, and the very different starting lines most people face.
Ellen DeGeneres – Lockdown Comparison
Comparing quarantine in a mansion to being in prison quickly turned public opinion against her.
Kylie Jenner – Eyebrow Post
At the height of global anxiety, she shared her biggest struggle: losing her eyebrows.
Gwyneth Paltrow – Food Stamp Challenge
An attempt to understand poverty that ended early and missed the larger point entirely.
Victoria Beckham – Working-Class Claim
A nostalgic story about humble beginnings that didn’t survive a fact-check from his own husband.
Meghan Markle – “Nobody Asked If I’m Okay”
A vulnerable moment that clashed sharply with the context and setting in which it was shared.
Jay-Z – Talking About Financial Struggles
Discussing money problems hits differently when you’re a billionaire.
Chrissy Teigen – Flying Commercial
Joking about economy flights after years of private jets felt more performative than relatable.
Will Smith – Failure Speech
An inspirational talk about hardship filmed in surroundings that felt anything but.
Hailey Bieber – Poverty Advice
Speaking about “having nothing” without firsthand experience made the message ring hollow.
Leonardo DiCaprio – Climate Activism
A vocal environmental advocate whose private jet use keeps undermining the message.
Prince Harry – Media Pressure Complaints
Criticizing fame while living under extraordinary protection didn’t resonate with everyone.
Oprah Winfrey – Advice on Overcoming Obstacles
Messages about resilience can feel distant when coming from someone untouchable.