“Let Them Eat Cake”: 25 Times Celebs Were Out Of Touch With Reality

More than a billion people live with less than a dollar per day, while around 2.8 billion, or almost half of the global population, are forced to survive on less than 2 dollars per day. Let that sink in and break your heart while you scroll through this list…

It's widely reported, and should come as no surprise, that millions of people around the world face poverty and starvation. Yet it would seem that a few celebrities either have no idea — or just don't care. Why else would they take a private jet to another country purely for a slice of dessert? Maybe it's a case of "Let them eat cake!"

William DiAntonio is a leading expert in reputation management and the founder of Reputation911. For over 15 years, he and his team have worked with public figures, executives, and celebrities to protect and repair their online reputations, especially in the face of backlash, misinformation, or public missteps.

Bored Panda was lucky enough to secure an interview with DiAntonio recently. The first thing we asked him was what advice he gives to public figures when it comes to spending their money or flaunting their wealth...

"Public figures have every right to enjoy their success — but optics matter," the expert told us. "Flaunting wealth, especially during sensitive times, can quickly come off as tone-deaf or out of touch. If you're in the public eye, assume that every post or purchase could be dissected online. The goal isn't to hide success but to be intentional with how it's displayed. Striking the right balance between aspirational and relatable is key."

When celebs brag and waste money, it's inevitably going to leave a bitter taste in the mouths of some. "When backlash hits, don't ignore it — and don't double down," advises DiAntonio. He says the first step is to pause and assess how the message landed.

"Often, a direct and humble response goes further than defensiveness. We advise clients to acknowledge the moment, clarify context if needed, and show alignment with their values — whether that's philanthropy, responsibility, or transparency," he explained. "If the situation is spiraling, engage a reputation professional quickly to contain damage and reshape the narrative."

Social media thrives on access, but not everything needs to be shared, warns the expert. "We advise clients to highlight what aligns with their public image and core values," DiAntonio told Bored Panda. "If luxury is part of your brand, that's fine — but even then, the way it's framed matters."

He adds that sharing meaningful experiences, charitable efforts, or behind-the-scenes moments creates connection. "What to avoid [are] posts that feel self-indulgent, out of touch, or come during national/global crises. Context is everything."

It's a lesson that might have come a little late for some, though...

In case you missed it, Kim Kardashian rubbed a whole lot of people up the wrong way when she revealed that she’d zipped over to Paris during her first pregnancy, to source her favorite cheesecake.

“Have you had their cheesecake there? I don’t like cheesecake and the cheesecake at Hotel Costes…! It’s heaven,” the ultra-wealthy celeb reportedly said. Kardashian continued utilizing her bragging rights by saying she flew into the City of Love, “maybe a couple months ago, just to have a last hurrah of all the food that I'm not going to be able to have for a while.”

Unfortunately for Kardashian, the hotel was out of cheesecake. But not one to go without, she quickly let them “understand” that she’d taken a 10-hour private flight for a taste of the tiny desert. “I was like, ‘You don't understand! I leave tomorrow!’ I think I flew for one night…” said Kardashian. “And they said ‘Okay, we’re going to get it! And they got it and it really made my day.’

To put things in perspective, taking a private jet to buy a slice of cake isn’t just about being oblivious to those out there praying for a slice of bread. It’s also about showing a big middle finger to the planet in general. And to anyone who lives on it.

According to National Geographic, “some private aircraft models might emit more carbon per hour than an average person emits in a year.” Put another way, one celebrity who enjoys jetting about can produce almost 500 times more carbon in a year compared to the average person worldwide.

Between 2019 and 2023, the number of private flights rose to more than four million a year. That means emissions were up by a whopping 46%. This is at a time when climate change concern is at an all-time high. It’s just *plane wrong!

Tracking celebrity private jet air miles has become a thing over the past few years. And there’s even an annual leaderboard released at the end of every year. It shows who racked up the most time in the sky cavorting between cities on their luxury aircraft.

The name Taylor Swift might immediately come to mind. Because she’s often in the spotlight for flying to places she should be driving to. According to CelebrityPrivateJetTracker.com, the American pop singer’s private plane used 72,750 gallons of fuel to complete a total of 95,030 miles in 2024. It's the equivalent of nine days, 11 hours, and 59 minutes. But surprisingly, she came in 45th on the leaderboard.

Claiming top spot for private jet air miles in 2024: Former Google CEO Eric Schmidt. The 69-year-old clocked up 612,868 air miles last year. His luxury plane used 712,100 gallons of fuel for 495 flights. It’s the equivalent of flying for 58 days, 20 hours and 24 minutes.

No stranger to traveling in style, the former exec also splurged on a $67.6 million super yacht that same year. It went under auction in Antigua and was previously owned by a Russian oligarch.

Bored Panda wasn't too surprised to see Elon Musk's name near the top of the list. Known for his lavish lifestyle and billions in the bank, Musk's private jet gobbled up 511,250 gallons of fuel across 320 flights. A total of 461,191 private air miles. That's despite being CEO of a company that prides itself on its sustainability focus.

Musk recently made headlines for the wrong reasons after a cyberattack on NetJets Inc. saw documents leaked about his preferences when traveling by private plane. Among them, it stated that he “wants to fly as quickly and direct as possible.” If that means more fuel and carbon emissions, so be it.