Companies are experts in watching their backs in the face of controversy or social scandal. And, just as Adidas and Gao recently ended their partnership with Kanye West, many other companies have turned their backs on other artists. Especially after comments, attitudes, or uproar that would undoubtedly also leave the name of the big companies wrong.
1. Sharon Stone
In 2008, Sharon Stone was removed as the face of Christian Dior’s ads after she insinuated that the earthquakes in China were karma for dealings towards Tibet. The sad thing after the famous was part of the company for many years. However, her comments were not welcomed by the public. Which dictated the company’s decision to withdraw them.
2. Gilbert Gottfried
In 2011, Gilbert Gottfried ceased to be the voice of the Aflac duck due to a series of Twitter “jokes” about the tsunami that hit Japan. A tragedy that left hundreds homeless, injured, and with lost family members.
However, despite Gilbert’s apology the next day, the company did not hire him again. “I sincerely apologize to anyone offended by my attempt at humor about the tragedy in Japan,” he said. “I didn’t mean to disrespect him, and my thoughts are with the victims and their families.”
3. Whoopi Goldberg
In 2004, just as Kanye West beloved actress Whoopi Goldberg was eliminated as a spokesperson for SlimFast after making a sexually explicit pun on former President Bush’s name. A SlimFast CEO said many customers were offended by Goldberg’s jokes.
Whoopi responded: “While I appreciate what the people at SlimFast must do to protect their business, I must also do what I must do as an artist, writer, and American, not to mention as a comedian.”
4. Ryan Lochte
In 2016, Ryan Lochte lost the backing of Ralph Lauren, Speedo, Gentle hair removal, and Airwave after admitting exaggerating the story that he and three friends were assaulted with guns at a gas station. What happened is that the “armed attackers” were security guards who received money from swimmers.
5. The Wendy Williams Show
After Wendy questioned the existence of HBCUs and said, “I would be very offended if there were a school known as a historically white university,” she had to say goodbye to Chevrolet, who sponsored her show.
After the adverse reactions from the public were triggered, Wendy publicly apologized on her show. “I want to apologize to everyone I might have offended regarding my comments,” she said. “I was wrong.”
6. Kate Moss
The famous and legendary supermodel Kate Moss had to say goodbye to Chanel and Burberry after confirming what many tabloids told her in 2005. Both companies wanted nothing to do with someone who had tested positive for cocaine, just as the ones with Kanye West. And even though the model is now fully rehabilitated, contracts were never resumed.
7. Maria Sharapova
In 2016, Maria Sharapova’s relations with Porsche, Nike, and Tag Heuer were suspended after failing a drug test. Although he claimed that the drug was nothing more than Meldonium (prescribed by a doctor for more than ten years), the drug was on the companies’ blocklist.
8. 16
Companies want to refrain from engaging with a home breaker. Or so Gillette, Pepsi, AT&T, and Accenture let it know after leaving Tiger Woods after news about his extramarital affairs became public.
9. Michael Phelps
The last year 2009, Kellogg’s decided to end the sponsorship contract they had with the athlete after leaked photos of him smoking marijuana. After the pictures were revealed, the athlete apologized for his “regrettable behavior” and “poor judgment.”
