The Long-list of Victims of Cancel Culture and How they are doing now

Cancel culture has become one of the defining cultural forces of the past half-decade in the United States. Fueled by social media, online outrage cycles, and a growing expectation of public accountability, careers can now be derailed in a matter of hours. A tweet resurfaces, an allegation goes viral, or a poorly worded comment sparks backlash—and suddenly a celebrity’s name is synonymous with controversy.

Supporters argue that cancel culture gives marginalized voices power and forces accountability where institutions once failed. Critics counter that it often bypasses due process, encourages pile-ons, and leaves little room for growth or redemption. Somewhere between those positions lies a growing list of public figures who have lived through cancellation firsthand.

This article looks at some of the most prominent victims of cancel culture in the U.S. over the past five years; actors, influencers, and media figures who were publicly “canceled,” lost work or reputation, and then attempted to move forward. Some made surprising comebacks. Others remain sidelined. Together, their stories offer a clearer picture of what cancellation really looks like after the hashtags fade.

Hollywood Actors and Entertainers

A single viral allegation or ill judged post can extinguish years of carefully built mainstream momentum for actors and performers. This section examines high profile studio and industry reactions from dropped roles to shelved projects and follows how those stars have navigated life after the headlines whether through quiet reinvention legal fights or public comebacks.

Gina Carano: From Star Wars to Legal Battles

Gina Carano’s cancellation in 2021 was swift and decisive. While starring in The Mandalorian, one of Disney’s most successful streaming franchises, Carano posted a series of controversial social media messages touching on COVID-19 restrictions, the 2020 U.S. election, and political ideology. The final breaking point came when she shared a post comparing the treatment of conservatives to the persecution of Jews during the Holocaust.

Within hours, Lucasfilm announced it had severed ties with her, calling the posts “abhorrent and unacceptable.” A planned spinoff series was quietly shelved. Overnight, Carano went from rising franchise star to a cautionary tale.

In the years that followed, Carano framed herself as a victim of ideological censorship, filing a high-profile lawsuit against Disney. While her mainstream Hollywood career stalled, she aligned with conservative media circles and independent productions. By 2025, she had settled her legal dispute and announced new acting projects outside the studio system. Carano’s career is no longer what it once promised, but she remains active and vocal, suggesting cancellation didn’t end her career so much as permanently redirect it.

Lea Michele: A Rare Redemption Arc

Lea Michele’s cancellation unfolded during the racial reckoning of 2020. Former Glee co-stars accused her of fostering a toxic, hostile work environment and making racially insensitive remarks behind the scenes. While the allegations didn’t involve criminal behavior, the volume and consistency of the stories damaged her carefully cultivated image.

For months, Michele largely disappeared from public view. Endorsements evaporated, and the once-ubiquitous star became an example of how reputation alone can collapse a career.

Then came an unexpected turn. In 2022, Michele was cast as the lead in Broadway’s Funny Girl revival. Skepticism was intense, but her performances earned standing ovations and critical praise. By 2023, ticket sales surged, and her run became one of Broadway’s most talked-about comebacks.

Among victims of cancel culture, Michele’s story stands out: she neither denied criticism nor leaned into grievance politics. Instead, she stayed quiet, returned to her craft, and let the work speak. It’s one of the clearest examples that cancellation, while brutal, isn’t always permanent.

Armie Hammer: When Cancellation Means Exile

Armie Hammer’s downfall was among the most dramatic of the last five years. In early 2021, leaked messages attributed to the actor contained graphic and disturbing sexual fantasies. Multiple women then accused him of emotional abuse and coercive behavior. Although no criminal charges were filed, the public reaction was immediate and unforgiving.

Hammer was dropped by his agency, removed from film projects, and effectively exiled from Hollywood. Studios reportedly deemed him “uninsurable,” a death sentence for a leading actor’s career.

Unlike some canceled celebrities, Hammer did not attempt a quick comeback. He moved abroad, entered rehab, and lived largely out of the public eye. By 2024, he resurfaced cautiously through podcasting and interviews, speaking openly about addiction, shame, and the consequences of his behavior.

Today, Hammer’s acting career remains dormant. His story illustrates the harshest version of cancellation—where allegations alone, regardless of legal outcomes, can permanently alter a person’s professional life.

Influencers and Online Personalities

For creators whose livelihoods depend on platforms and followers, cancellation often hits the wallet first through demonetization, lost sponsorships and deplatforming. Here we track how digital native figures weathered backlash, rebuilt audiences on other channels or pivoted into new businesses and why some retained significant followings despite scandal.

Shane Dawson: Cancelled, Then Clicked Again

Few influencers embodied early YouTube fame like Shane Dawson. His 2020 cancellation stemmed from resurfaced videos featuring blackface, racial slurs, and inappropriate jokes involving minors. The backlash was immediate: YouTube demonetized his channels, collaborators cut ties, and his subscriber base plummeted.

For nearly two years, Dawson vanished from the platform that made him famous. When he returned in late 2022 with a documentary-style series, reactions were mixed—but views were strong. Millions still clicked.

Dawson’s post-cancellation career is quieter and more self-aware, but undeniably alive. His return highlights an uncomfortable truth: for influencers, cancellation often reduces scale rather than erasing relevance entirely.

Jeffree Star: Scandal Without Collapse

Jeffree Star has survived more controversies than most public figures. In 2020, renewed scrutiny of racist remarks and alleged workplace abuse triggered widespread backlash. Major retail partners severed ties, and many predicted the end of his beauty empire.

Instead, Star pivoted. He relocated, rebranded himself as drama-averse, and leaned heavily into direct-to-consumer business. While his cultural influence diminished, his wealth and brand endured.

Star’s case shows that cancellation affects creators differently depending on financial independence. As one of the wealthiest victims of cancel culture, he proved that economic power can cushion reputational fallout.

Dr Disrespect: Banned but Not Gone

When Twitch permanently banned Dr Disrespect in 2020, the lack of explanation fueled speculation for years. In 2024, the streamer finally acknowledged that inappropriate private messages with a minor were behind the decision, though he denied criminal intent.

The ban cost him sponsorships and forced his exit from a gaming studio he co-founded. Yet his audience followed him to YouTube, where he rebuilt a lucrative streaming career.

Dr Disrespect’s survival underscores a recurring theme: cancellation within one platform doesn’t necessarily translate across the entire digital ecosystem.

Journalists and Media Figures

Journalists operate inside institutions that prize credibility so past missteps discovered online can quickly derail editorial appointments. This section looks at rapid resignations, newsroom accountability and the sometimes surprising routes back into journalism when experience and institutional context outweigh a moment of public outrage.

Alexi McCammond: Cancelled Before Day One

Alexi McCammond’s cancellation was unusually swift. Days before starting as editor-in-chief of Teen Vogue in 2021, old tweets containing racist language resurfaced. Staff backlash was immediate, and McCammond stepped down before her first day.

For many, the episode symbolized cancel culture’s unforgiving speed. Yet McCammond’s story didn’t end there. She returned to political journalism, rejoined major newsrooms, and by 2023 secured a prominent role at The Washington Post.

Her case demonstrates that cancellation doesn’t always erase credibility—especially in industries that value experience and institutional trust.

What These Stories Reveal About Cancel Culture

Looking across these cases, a few patterns emerge:

First, cancellation is rarely uniform. Some victims of cancel culture lose everything overnight, while others experience temporary setbacks or forced pivots. Outcomes depend on the severity of the controversy, public sympathy, industry tolerance, and financial independence.

Second, silence and strategy matter. Those who retreat, reflect, and return with strong work—like Lea Michele—often fare better than those who immediately frame themselves as persecuted.

Finally, cancellation rarely provides closure. Even years later, many of these figures remain defined by the moment they were “canceled,” regardless of personal growth or accountability.

Conclusion

Cancel culture is neither a guaranteed career killer nor a harmless online trend. For the celebrities and influencers discussed here, it was a life-altering event—sometimes deserved, sometimes disproportionate, always consequential.

Five years on, their stories show that while cancellation can permanently reshape careers, it doesn’t always end them. Redemption, reinvention, and resilience remain possible—but rarely on the same terms as before.

As public scrutiny continues to intensify, the growing list of victims of cancel culture offers a sobering lesson: in the digital age, reputation is fragile, memory is permanent, and recovery—if it comes at all—demands patience, humility, and change.

FAQs

What exactly is cancel culture?

 Cancel culture is a social phenomenon in which public backlash usually online calls for consequences such as lost jobs, sponsorships or platforms after someone’s words or actions are judged unacceptable. It can range from widespread criticism to coordinated pressure and may be driven by accountability efforts or by rapid online pile ons.

Are all victims of cancel culture guilty of wrongdoing?

 No. Some people are canceled because of credible allegations or clearly offensive behavior while others are targeted over misinterpreted comments, old content taken out of context or unproven claims. Public backlash does not equal legal guilt and the severity of cases varies widely.

Can someone recover after being canceled?

 Yes sometimes. Recovery depends on the seriousness of the controversy, the individual’s response, industry willingness to rehire and audience forgiveness. Some figures step back, acknowledge mistakes and rebuild through consistent work while others remain sidelined or shift into different careers.

How long does cancellation typically last?

 There is no fixed timeline. Some controversies fade quickly as attention moves on while others continue to shape a public figure’s reputation for years. Duration depends on ongoing coverage of new information and whether the person reenters the public conversation.

What are effective ways public figures can respond if they face cancellation?

 Effective responses often include listening before reacting, taking responsibility where appropriate, offering a clear and sincere apology and demonstrating change over time. Stepping away from the spotlight temporarily focusing on personal growth and avoiding defensive behavior can help more than immediate public rebuttals.