People have been trying to cancel Lana Del Rey for years, but she always preserves by staying the course. In the past, people have accused her of glamourizing abuse and being "antifeminist" among other things. One writer, in Harper's Bazaar, has even claimed that Lana has built her entire career on cultural appropriation – even down to her stage name "Lana Del Rey". So, in recent years, Lana Del Rey has taken to social media to defend herself, and once again, cancel culture has been at it again.
In one post she defended her music, pointing out how other successful artists in the industry have had success with similar themes – but since many of the names mentioned were people of color, people were quick to call her "racist" among other things. Later, she revealed the cover photo for her new album "Chemtrails Over the Country Club" and pointed out how many of her friends featured on the cover were people of color, and then people called her "tone-deaf." But regardless of how you feel about it, the album has already earned a number one spot on the US iTunes Sales Chart. So, it seems Lana is still going strong.
JK Rowling has no doubt flustered some feathers on Twitter, regarding the trans community. While she hasn't outright condemned transgender people, she has expressed her views that transgender women do not have the same experience as those born with female parts and that the discrimination they face is different. Using the term "people who menstruate" on Twitter was seen as demeaning to the trans community, along with her other comments, which had many in an uproar.
However, although the calls to cancel JK Rowling are certainly numerous, she hasn't really been canceled yet. She continues to make millions off of her children's books, while also expanding her Pottermore website, writing new books, as well as working on the Fantastic Beasts film franchise. For the foreseeable future, we're guessing children will still be reading Harry Potter—and possibly their children's children. The impact of Twitter isn't enough to cancel this beloved series we think.
Dr. Seuss books have been blowing up recently over a controversy that comes straight from the publisher itself. A few select books were discontinued due to racist stereotypes and images. Among the books canceled were And to Think That I Saw It on Mulberry Street, If I Ran the Zoo, McElligot's Pool, Scrambled Eggs Super!, The Cat’s Quizzer, and On Beyond Zebra! These books are not banned, just out of print. Many see this move as an attack on Dr. Seuss.
But, the truth is that the publisher is just omitting some non-profitable publications that aren't really relevant to the new generations—and more importantly, aren't making them money. It's not like families were dying to read their children these stories. They were certainly no Cat in the Hat, How the Grinch Stole Christmas, or Green Eggs and Ham–those are classics. The only reason people are in an uproar is that they want what they can't have. And the people who do have them are selling them for hundreds or thousands of dollars on eBay.
Many Christians are feeling a little insecure these days but its usually over minor things. Whether its saying "Happy Holidays" instead of "Merry Christmas" or Starbucks changing their coffee cups to plain red, rather than reindeer and snowflake graphics, some Christians are feeling as though they being cast out because their entire lives are not being saturated with Christmas imagery. But of course, that's silly, because they still have Santa at the mall, and they still start selling Christmas stuff just as soon as Halloween ends.
We will admit that there is a very vocal minority on social media that certainly manages to take a dig at Christians from time to time, but really its over stuff like the Starbucks cups and social issues they disagree with. But that's pretty much it. Life as a Christian goes on and it is estimated that there are over 2 Billion Christians around the world. It seems to us that a religion that big isn't going anywhere soon, no matter how much that dude on Twitter hurt your feelings.
Mr. Potato Head is a classic children's toy that has been available since 1952. But like any toy that old, it has evolved over the years. For instance, it started out as just the pieces that were pushpins that you would stick in a real potato. But of course, the potatoes would rot and the pieces themselves were a hazard. It was then that they developed a plastic potato. Following that, we've had other incarnations of Mr. Potato Head, like Mrs. Potato Head and Darth Tater.
And now, with people rejecting "gender norms," the next logical step for Mr. Potato Head to stay relevant (and capitalize on something that will surely make them money) would have to be a gender-neutral rebranding—and that's exactly what Hasbro has decided to do. They're simply dropping the "Mr." from the name of the toy line. And if you're offended because that's not the name you're used to, we have news for you: they will still offer Mr. Potato Head and Mrs. Potato Head. So, virtually nothing has been changed OR canceled; just given a little modern-day refresh.
Lil Nas X is no stranger to controversy and the latest one isn't likely to cancel him either. Lil Nas X's new music video for his song "Montero" features the rapper giving Satan a lap dance. The video features other Satan images that are having religious people and conservative parents in an uproar. Of course, it should be clear that the video is not intended for children.
There's also plenty of controversy boiling around the custom Satan shoes from MSCHF. The company, which partnered with Lil Nas X, created satanic-themed Nike shoes that supposedly contain a real drop of human blood. And because Nike did not want to be associated with the shoes, they filed a lawsuit against MSCHF and a judge has since ordered the custom shoes off the market. But despite the outcome, Lil Nas X has certainly made an even bigger name for himself.
Target sure made a big fuss back in 2016 when it said that it would allow transgender people to use the bathroom that best matches their gender identity, saying "Everyone deserves to feel like they belong." Many people were calling for a boycott, but nonetheless, Target is still making plenty of money.
And then in 2020, there was another controversy surrounding a Black History Month ad that many found to be racist. Part of the "Founders We Believe In" ads, the commercial featuring Beatrice Dixon for The Honey Pot product line was seen as exclusionary. Regardless, the ad didn't damage Target any, it was mostly the Honey Pot brand that was affected, with people leaving one-star reviews.
Amber Heard may have destroyed Johnny Depp's career with claims that he was a wifebeater, but she has come out of it relatively unscathed. Even despite audio recordings of Amber Heard admitting to hitting Johnny Depp, Depp lost his libel suit against her and lost his role as Jack Sparrow in the Disney Pirates films and as Grindelwald in the Fantastic Beasts franchise.
Now, even as Depp fans call for Amber Heard to be canceled, Amber Heard continues her acting career. She recently appeared in Zack Snyder's Justice League and is set to appear in the Aquaman sequel. On social media, Heard continues to defend herself, firing back at Depp fans who deny that she was abused. Of course, only Heard and Depp know the whole truth.
When Mars Inc. announced they were rebranding Uncle Ben's rice, many misinterpreted it as the cancellation of Uncle Ben. In truth, it was the company's decision to rid itself of a racist stereotype mascot, saying "we know we have a responsibility to take a stand in helping to put an end to racial bias and injustices."
While the Uncle Ben character will be removed from the packaging and the brand name changed to Ben's Original, the products available will all be the same ones you've grown accustomed to. They will taste the same and the packaging will still be orange like it was before, so you should have no trouble finding it at the store. The character is canceled, yes, but the rice is all the same.
Eminem is in hot water once again, but no matter what it is, he always seems to overcome it. Although he may not be as popular as he was before, he still manages to sell records. The latest call to cancel Eminem is over a song that came out more than 10 years ago.
In a TikTok posted in February, a user took issue with the song "Love the Way You Lie", which features the lyrics "If she ever tries to f***ing leave again, I'ma tie her to the bed and set this house on fire." TikTokers are calling for Eminem to be canceled over his misogynistic lyrics that they see as promoting violence toward women. But the joke's on Gen Z; Millennials have been trying to cancel the controversial rapper his entire career, and they have yet to succeed.
Jodie Comer is in trouble to be sure but it's hardly enough to cancel her. She is the star of "Killing Eve." Comer's character on that show is a lesbian – and that fact, combined with her vocal support of LGBT pride has led many to feel betrayed by the revelation that she is dating a Trump-supporting republican.
Although fans are taking it as a slap in the face, the heart wants what the heart wants, and politics aren't everything to everyone. But dating the man in question named James Burke is hardly reason enough to get her canceled or have her lose her job on the show.
Back in May, calls for Doja Cat to be canceled were immense, yet she still seems to be doing well in terms of success. In a viral video, Amalaratna Zandile Dlamini (Doja) is seen participating in a TinyChat chatroom, communicating with alt-right racist members. However, Doja Cat has denied taking part in any racist conversation and insists that were they occurring, that the people in question would be removed.
Doja herself has also used racial slurs such as the N-word in the chat. Nevertheless, Doja Cat has apologized for her behavior and citing her reasons as being "dumb" and "drunk." With that said, the apology seemed to be sufficient because everyone seems to have gotten over it. She continues to chart Billboard and has completed a third studio album.
In 2021, a huge stink was made over Pepe Le Pew by the New York Times. Columnist Charles M. Blow claimed that the character sent a sleazy message to viewers. Pepe Lew Pew, the French skunk from Looney Tunes who famously stalks and harasses a cat, will not be featured in any future Looney Tunes projects according to Warner Bros. His first notable absence will be the upcoming Space Jam sequel. But while the character will no longer be utilized in future Looney Tunes movies and cartoons, that doesn't mean he's canceled necessarily. You can still watch the older cartoons on home video, as well as HBO Max, which has most of the classic Looney Tunes cartoons.
And correlation does not always equal causation. Sure, the timing is fishy because of the scathing NY Times article, but the decision to cut Pepe Le Pew from Space Jam 2 was made by the director of the film Malcolm D. Lee, who replaced the original director, Terence Nance. According to Deadline, Lee wasn't a huge fan of the scene filmed with Pepe Le Pew and Jane the Virgin's Greice Santo, where he made advances and she put him in her place. Santo saw the scene as a moment of empowerment, and was disappointed when it got cut. So in reality, there probably would've been even more controversy if the scene would have made the final cut.
Before news broke out that Ellen DeGeneres was just plain awful and abusive to her employees on her show, everyone thought Ellen was just the perfect person. It was certainly a shock to learn that the non-offensive-comedian-turned-talk-show-host who dances in every episode could be so mean but it was not enough to cancel her over. And before that, it was the fact that she was friends with George W. Bush.
Either way, Ellen is still very much a part of pop culture. Although she recently decided to end her show, she maintains that the decision was made before all the behind-the-scenes drama began. In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, she said she wanted to end the show after season 16, but decided to give it three more years: “It was very hurtful to me. I mean, very. But if I was quitting the show because of that, I wouldn’t have come back this season.” Ellen has apologized to her staff in regard to her behavior as well for misconduct by her producers, who were fired. But she's hardly the first jerk in Hollywood, and she certainly won't be the last.
Nike has had two big controversies in the past several years, but one of them, they had nothing to do with. Back in 2018, people were burning shoes in protest of Nike's Colin Kaepernick ad campaign. You may remember Kaepernick as the guy who kneeled in protest while the national anthem played during a football game. Anyway, people wanted to cancel Nike – it didn't work.
Now it's 2021, and some totally confused people are at it again. Many blamed Nike for the Satan shoes from Lil Nas X, but in fact, the shoes were created by a custom shoe company called MSCHF. They partnered with Lil Nas X to create some Satan-themed shoes with a drop of real blood. But to shoe you just how uninvolved they were, they filed a lawsuit against MSCHF.
