When you think celebrity scandals, you probably think of the likes of Paris and Lindsay. But did you know that some of the biggest celebrity scandals happen right here in Canada? We’re not just talking about catfights and beefings either. In 2019, there were several major celebrity scandals that shocked the country.
Justin Bieber And Hailey Baldwin’s Wedding
The biggest scandal of the year happened in January when Justin Bieber and Hailey Baldwin’s wedding was called off at the last minute. It started with some nasty online rumours that the couple had planned to elope. After the wedding was postponed due to “unforeseen circumstances,” many fans began to believe that the ceremony had never happened. When asked about the rumours, a rep for Bieber said “the media have taken the story that we had planned a secret wedding and run with it. We’re not going to entertain the thought of responding to any more questions about it.”
The rumours surrounding the couple’s wedding were far from the only celebrity scandal that appeared on the radar in January. Back in October, it was revealed that pop star Justin Bieber had been paid a whopping $22 million to take part in a Paradise Papers investigation. The 20-year-old was one of five celebrities who were found to have bought a luxury estate in the British Virgin Islands (BVI) using a corporation. A spokesperson for the Federal Bureau of Investigation said that Bieber was not under investigation and that they had no issues with his citizenship or residency in the US.
Elon Musk’s Bikini Comments
Elon Musk is most known for his work as the co-founder and CEO of SpaceX. But did you know that he’s also considered to be one of the world’s most influential businessmen and a genius when it comes to technology? In July 2019, Musk made headlines when he insulted the intelligence of British diver Tom Daley during a conversation that took place over Twitter DM. Daley challenged Musk to a discussion about the merits of artificial intelligence (AI) with a series of questions about popular themes in AI-related movies. Musk, ever the contrarian, immediately shot back with “you should watch the Con Man movie. It’s funny.”
The comment sparked a furious debate about whether or not AI was making life more convenient for humans. Musk tweeted “watch the Con Man movie, hilarious” and “there are a lot of great science fiction movies that deal with this topic.” It was later reported that Musk had paid $20,000 to watch the Con Man movie. He has not yet revealed why he thinks the thriller is “hilarious.”
Rapper 6ixx Allegedly Threatens Sexual Assault
In August 2019, rapper 6ixx was arrested after an alleged incident of sexual assault. The rapper, whose real name is Radric Davis, was booked and released on a promise to appear in court. He was charged with two counts of sexual assault, one count of criminal conspiracy and one count of forcible touching. According to a police report, Davis grabbed a woman’s buttocks during an encounter at a Toronto nightclub on August 23rd. The suspect then allegedly took the woman’s phone and threatened to beat her up if she didn’t comply.
6ixx has yet to comment on the allegations but previously dismissed them as “fake news.” The police have also not commented publicly about the case but confirmed that it’s still under investigation.
Scott J. Schwartz Affair
In September 2019, Scott J. Schwartz was accused of sexually harassing and assaulting a former assistant. The woman, who has asked to remain anonymous, told the New York Times that Schwartz, an entertainment lawyer, had been “smacking [her] bottom” and trying to forcibly touch her during meetings and at parties. Schwartz, who has denied all the accusations, was suspended from practicing law in New York in September 2019.
If you thought that was the biggest celebrity scandal that occurred in Canada in 2019, you’d be wrong. The country actually learned the most in 2019 about being careful with our data. There was a data breach at Shopbop in October when the fashion retailer failed to protect customer information. The incident saw personal information of roughly 160,000 customers exposed. The woman behind the leak was sentenced to 18 months in prison in April 2020 for identity fraud and six months for willful neglect of duty. She had access to millions of records including name, address, email and phone number for many high-profile individuals.
Eminem’s Daughter’s Suicide
It was a tragic year for music fans in Canada in 2019. In March, it was announced that Shadia Hamed’s daughter, Hendy, had committed suicide. The 18-year-old was found dead in her Toronto apartment. Hendy was a promising musician who had released an album, Hired Hand, in 2018. Her music was described as “electro-R & B with deep hip-hop and pop underpinnings” by Pitchfork. In a note posted to Instagram before her death, Hendy wrote “this life is not worth living” and revealed that she was struggling with depression and suicidal thoughts. She ended her note with a plea for privacy: “If you are reading this, it means I haven’t found the courage to end my life yet. But maybe you’re the person that I needed to talk to to make that decision for me. Sorry for the rant, but I haven’t felt this low since my grandma’s death.”
Suicide is a huge issue in Canada. According to the Toronto Suicide Prevention Centre, there were 577 reported cases of suicide in 2019. That’s more than in any other year since 2018. Unfortunately, Hendy’s suicide was just one of many in 2019.
Paramount’s Latest Blockbuster Is A Huge Disappointment
One of the biggest films of 2019 was undoubtedly The Kitchen (starring Jennifer Lopez). Based on the bestselling novel of the same name by Mario Batali and Fred Torres, the film follows a group of young friends who become entangled in a drug-trafficking ring when they go on a trip to Italy to visit Lopez’s character. Unfortunately, The Kitchen is a bit of a letdown compared to its massive budget and incredible cast.
The movie received mixed reviews from critics, who praised its unique perspective on the drug trade and called it “fresh” and “innovative,” but some felt it was a missed opportunity. “The Kitchen is an expensive piece of junk that doesn’t add up,” said one review on Reddit. Another wrote: “[Lopez’s character] feels underwritten and two-dimensional. It’s clear that this was a major production and a lot of money was spent, but it doesn’t necessarily mean that the story or the characters are any good.”
Netflix’s “Sex Education” Is Another Huge Disappointment
Another costly movie that got a lot of attention was Netflix’s Sex Education. Based on the YA novel by Laurie Frankel, the movie follows a high schooler named Finn who finds out that he has been selected to participate in a comprehensive sex education program. The day-to-night comedy-drama is a major step back for Netflix after its recent string of hits, including Roma, The Kissing Booth, and Dear White People. Like The Kitchen, Sex Education was also criticised for its unoriginality and overly familiar storyline, but nonetheless became one of Netflix’s most popular movies in 2019.
More Celebrity Scandals To Know About
While 2019 was a difficult year for many in the country, it wasn’t all bad. There were several notable success stories, including Cardi B’s solo debut, Invasion of Privacy, and the Juno Awards, which gave Henry Kissinger his 14th Lifetime Achievement Award. There was also Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s farewell address, the Red Wings losing in the finals, and MacLeman Brooking, Lord, becoming the country’s longest-reigning judge. All of this and more made for an interesting year in Canadian entertainment.