The glamorous world of Hollywood and the music industry as a whole have a way of drawing us in, don’t they? We find ourselves captivated by the lives of our favorite celebrities, binge-watching their movies, listening to their music, and keeping up with their latest news. But even these seemingly untouchable stars can find themselves on the wrong side of the law — or in some cases, an entire country!
Yup, it’s not just us mere mortals who face travel restrictions and visa woes; celebrities banned from countries are surprisingly common. Life is never that simple, even for the rich and famous — and while we might find ourselves temporarily grounded for letting our passports expire or misplacing a crucial document, celebrity country bans can be a whole other ball game, sometimes involving political intrigue, cultural misunderstandings, criminal records and, yes, even a dash of drama.
After some rounds of research and investigation about controversial celebrities and banned stars who’ve managed to tick off entire nations, we’ve compiled a list of VIPs who’ve experienced the sting of a travel ban. Some of these celebrity blocklist stories might sound totally reasonable, while others will undoubtedly have you raising your eyebrows in disbelief. From Justin Bieber to Snoop Dogg, we’ll be exploring all the reasons behind why these big names found themselves persona non grata. And hey, maybe you’ll even learn a thing or two about the treacherous waters of international diplomacy — or at the very least, get some celebrity fun facts out of it!
#21 Justin Bieber (Argentina)

While on tour in the country, Justin Bieber reportedly had his bodyguards assault a photographer. To make matters worse, he was also filmed kicking an Argentine flag off the stage during a performance. Unfortunately for him and his fans in Argentina, he was denied entry when he tried to plan another tour in the country.
Report
18points
#22 Oasis (China)

Oasis has been permanently barred from entering China, deemed “an enemy of the people.” Noel Gallagher reminisced about the moment he discovered he was prohibited from entering the country in 2009, a consequence of his participation in a Tibetan freedom concert in 1997.
Report
17points
#23 Tyson Fury (USA)

Tyson Fury has encountered travel limitations to the United States due to his associations with the notorious Kinahan criminal organization.
Report
17points
#24 Floyd Mayweather Jr. (Australia)

Renowned ex-professional boxer Floyd Mayweather Jr. was barred from entering Australia due to his history of domestic violence.
Report
17points
#25 Paris Hilton (Japan)

In 2010, Paris Hilton planned a tour in Japan to promote her fashion and fragrance lines. Unfortunately for her, the Japanese government denied her entry due to a recent minor drug-related offense.
Report
16points
#26 Beyoncé (Malaysia)

Malaysia’s government deemed Beyoncé’s performance too risqué for their local audience. The ban was allegedly put in place due to concerns surrounding the sultry outfits she wears while on stage.
Report
15points
#27 Busta Rhymes (United Kingdom)

Busta Rhymes had planned a performance in the UK in 2008, but it seems the government wasn’t quite on board with his plans. As Rhymes tried to make his way into the country, immigration officials denied him entry due to pending charges in the USA involving assault and weapons possession.
Report
15points
#28 Jay-Z (China)

The Chinese government banned Jay-Z from performing in the country because it deemed his lyrics too vulgar.
Report
15points
#29 Russell Brand (Japan)

Russell Brand was deported by Japanese immigration in 2011. The exact reasons for his deportation were not disclosed by officials, but it is widely believed to be linked to Brand’s history of drug abuse. Japan is known for its strict stance on substance abuse, so it stands to reason that his past struggles with addiction may have played a significant role in their decision.
Report
15points
#30 Miley Cyrus (China And The Dominican Republic)

Long before Miley Cyrus waved goodbye to her Hannah Montana alter ego, she faced a lifetime ban from China due to a controversial photo that emerged online featuring her mocking Asian eyes. More recently, Miley was also barred from entering the Dominican Republic, with authorities citing her tendency to engage in behavior that violates Dominican morals and customs.
Report
14points
#31 Cat Stevens (Israel)

Cat Stevens faced a ban from entering Israel in 1990, coincidentally the same year he reached out to Iraqi president Saddam Hussein advocating for the release of four British captives. When he tried to enter the country again in 2000, he recounted being detained in a cramped, windowless cell with no water for several hours before being sent back to Germany. Surprisingly, a government representative stated the singer was refused entry on the grounds of being a Hamas supporter. They further alleged that he had provided financial support to the Islamist militant organization during a visit in 1988.
Report
14points
#32 Kesha (Malaysia)

The singer faced a ban in Malaysia in 2013 when local officials expressed apprehension that her performance might potentially infringe upon cultural and religious values in the country.
14points
#33 Martha Stewart (United Kingdom)

In 2008, Martha Stewart was denied entry to the UK, citing her 2004 felony convictions for securities fraud. She had planned to grace the esteemed Royal Academy with a speech during her visit.
Report
13points
#34 Tyler The Creator (New Zealand, Australia And United Kingdom)

In 2014, rapper Tyler, the Creator found himself on New Zealand’s no-entry list, as officials deemed him a “risk to public order and public interest.” Concerned that his undeniably explicit lyrics might cause scandal among citizens, the country decided to deny him entry. Not long after, Australia and the UK implemented similar bans.
Report
13points
#35 Gigi Hadid (China)

Gigi Hadid missed the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show in Shanghai in 2017 due to her visa being denied. It is thought that the reason for this denial was a video in which she appears to narrow her eyes, attempting to imitate the Buddha-like shape of a cookie she held up to the camera.
13points
#36 Sharon Stone (China)

Sharon Stone faced a ban from China after a controversial statement. She suggested that a devastating earthquake that hit the country in 2008 was “karma” for China’s treatment of Tibet.
Report
13points
#37 Boy George (USA)

Boy George faced a visa denial from the US government, preventing the singer from performing in New York City due to an awaiting trial in London.
Report
12points
#38 Salman Khan (United Kingdom)

In 2015, news emerged that Salman Khan faced travel restrictions to the UK due to the Supreme Court revoking a previous court order that temporarily suspended his five-year jail sentence concerning a 1998 poaching case. However, by 2017, the travel ban was lifted, and Salman was permitted to perform in the UK.
Report
10points



