Moments When Celebrities Just Lost It on the Paparazzi

Imagine you are in a situation where someone is photographing you without your permission. As with any sane person, the first thing you do is ask why the person is doing what they are doing. After all, it is upsetting for others to do it because we may never know what those people’s intentions are, even if we assume to some degree. Apply this to celebrities, who may enjoy being in the spotlight but must live normal lives once they are no longer in it.

Regardless of what many people believe about the benefits of celebrity, it comes at the cost of assuming that everyone is watching you. Of course, such thinking, through no fault of their own, can be quite stressful and draining on the celebrity’s overall health and status. While these celebrities have insurance, one has to wonder how some of them manage to avoid the paparazzi. However, some celebrities are unable to conceal their disdain for these photographers and instead lash out, to the detriment of both parties. Here are some celebrity meltdowns in front of the paparazzi.

Kanye West

While Kanye West is an undeniably talented and charismatic musician, he is also well-known for his frequently publicized outbursts and rants. His spats with the paparazzi, in particular, are nothing new. His fight with a paparazzi in 2013 was, however, his most aggressive to date.

Photographers surrounded him as he exited the terminal entrance at Los Angeles International Airport. In response, West first went on a rant about his dislike for paparazzi, claiming that they are a nuisance and that he and his lawyers can simply “pay them $250,000” and call it a day. Then he lunged at one of them. While the musician was leaving the airport, West attacked a photographer. Finally, the photographer and his lawyer filed a lawsuit against West for assault. In response, West has pledged to lobby for the right to profit from the work of the paparazzi.

Britney Spears

Britney Spears’ worst year may go down in history as 2007. For starters, she divorced her husband, Kevin Federline. They fought for custody of their children with the help of lawyers. Second, her aunt died as a result of an illness. Third, she entered rehab. Fourth, she was photographed while having her head shaved in a salon. Her time during that year has been nothing short of miserable.

Indeed, her anguish turned to rage when she assaulted a photographer the following year, just days after her head-shaving incident. She assaulted one of the photographers with a green umbrella after being closely followed by a group of photographers. The photo of her ramming the car door with the umbrella made headlines. Today, the photographer who was assaulted by Spears auctioned off the same umbrella.

Alec Baldwin

Alec Baldwin is one of today’s most well-known celebrities. While his comedic and general acting abilities are quite impressive, his life outside of acting has received attention due to his outbursts. Over the years, the actor developed a reputation for publicly lashing out, which can be credited for tarnishing his celebrity image.

One of those instances occurred in 2012, when Baldwin was involved in a fight with a photographer in New York City. He was constantly pursued and photographed while walking with his wife Hilaria. While they initially ignored it, Baldwin eventually reached a breaking point and approached a photographer while holding his left arm. Baldwin eventually let go of him and went about his business.

Mike Tyson

Nobody can deny that Mike Tyson retains the strength he possessed on his boxing day. For four years, the boxing legend stunned the world by becoming the undisputed heavyweight champion. His dedication and investment in the sport have elevated him to the status of a legend. However, he has been known for his rage issues, with his outbursts becoming even more lethal due to his boxing background.

Tyson was followed by a paparazzo and two airport security guards while at the airport in 2009. Tyson went back and pursued him because he didn’t stop recording. A fistfight ensued, resulting in injuries to the photographer and damage to his camera. Tyson was arrested for assault but released shortly afterwards.