“Narcissistic Moron”: 50 People Reveal The Celebs They’ve Lost Respect For

When EvilOdysseus asked, "What celebrity have you lost respect for?" they'd been pondering the question themselves for a while. For them, it's Jack Black. "He barely acts anymore. Just plays himself in every film. He even keeps his own mannerisms in films now," they told Bored Panda. They said they were surprised that "a few people said Mark Hamill, but I haven't seen them state a reason."

We asked what prompted them to ask the question online. "I realized how many celebrities recently are in the news for all the wrong reasons," they told Bored Panda during our short chat. "It's scandal after scandal with no repercussions."

And they aren't wrong. The world of the rich and famous has been rocked by a string of scandalous stories over the past few months. As it was last year, and the years before. Whenever we think we've seen it all, it just gets even worse. We were curious to know what EvilOdysseus would say to celebrities behaving badly. "There's no point in giving a message to any celebrity. They don't care about us," was the curt reply.

Roz Sheldon is an expert when it comes to online reputation management. She's the managing director of Igniyte, a global company working with individuals and corporates to keep their reps intact. Sheldon kindly agreed to share some of her knowledge with us during a very enlightening interview.

"Celebrities typically have huge followings, particularly on social media, and rely on this in many cases. Handling a scandal can be very difficult due to the number of people who may comment or have an opinion," said Sheldon. "While some celebrities thrive on scandal and can turn it to their advantage, others may want to remove themselves from the limelight."

Sheldon added that being authentic and commanding respect requires a genuine and thoughtful public response to followers and audiences, and then taking time to work through the scandal or issues.

Previously, bad publicity took a while to spread. Articles needed to be written and edited. Newspapers and magazines needed to be printed. And people needed to actually go out and buy them. Or have them delivered. But in the age of social media, it now takes a few short seconds for someone’s reputation to be ripped to shreds. And for millions to hear about it.

"Reputation—whether personal or professional—is one of your most valuable assets. The internet serves as the first point of contact for anyone looking to learn about your brand, your business, or even you personally," says Sheldon. "First Impressions count. Negative information, outdated news articles, misleading information or even oversharing online can unfairly skew opinions. Proactive management ensures that what people find reflects your values, strengths, and integrity."

"A celebrity scandal is usually triggered by an exposure of a negative or controversial behavior, action, or information that violates the expectations, norms, or values of the public or a specific audience. This can include, but is not limited to, criminal acts, moral transgressions, personal conflicts, professional misconduct, or political opinions," notes FasterCapital, a global venture builder and online incubator. The scandal then blows up as it's amplified by media coverage, social media posts, hashtags, and public attention. From there, it spreads like a rapid wildfire.

It takes just one photo, or one person to speak out, to bring down the proverbial house of cards. It’s often a rapid decline from there, as people start digging and further allegations emerge. Think Tiger Woods and his several extramarital affairs in 2009. Former U.S. President Bill Clinton and his intern Monica Lewinsky in 1998. Harvey Weinstein and the dozens of women who've spoken out against him. R. Kelly. Sean "Diddy" Combs. The list is endless. And there'll likely be a few more names added before the end of this year.

Sheldon says the best course of action for celebrities who find themselves in hot water is to "release one short, considered statement or message, which genuinely reflects the state of play for the individual in question." The expert adds that the statement "may include a rebuttal or apology, depending on the scandal, as long as it is a genuine reflection." Sheldon cautions that less is more. "It may be appropriate to suspend public channels in some cases, following the message," she said.

Sheldon says in some cases, it may be worth a celebrity telling their side of the story. And if they choose to go this route, they should keep it genuine, and share it across their channels and profiles. "This doesn't necessarily mean an interview on national TV," explained the expert. "We all make mistakes and we are all human, so an acknowledgment of this is often the best course of action."

She adds that prevention is better than cure. "Cultivating good online practices regularly, and managing and building a strong reputation online, will protect online searches in the long run and against negative coverage. In other words, be prepared," advised the expert.

For those embroiled in scandals, it doesn't end once the hype dies down. "As a celebrity, you have to be mindful of your actions going forward and what you post online. Keep on top of negative rumors and gossip – clear the air and handle it with grace," notes Reputation911, another online reputation management agency. The firm adds that it also helps to "commit yourself to a good cause, such as a charity or foundation, that aligns with your values."