24 Cringeworthy Moments To Happen During News Interviews

Celebrity interviews are a fascinating exploration of our hallowed stars of screen, business, and culture. They are especially vivid when conducted live, giving censors or editors little chance to spin a selected narrative.

Nowadays, cameos on podcasts and TV appearances are still used as a marketing weapon, though this doesn’t always go as planned. I suspect many celebrity meltdowns on camera are for effect; there’s no such thing as bad publicity, after all.

However, there are also some misguided questions from professionals who cannot read the room. Some people watch these engagements merely for the cringe factor. Here are truly awkward exchanges from the world of celebrity interviews.

1. Kourtney Kardashian

Kourtney Kardashian once appeared via live link on Australia’s Today Show for the Nine Network. The show hosts didn’t even get to the answer stage; Kardashian was there to promote her new brand, Lemme. However, David Campbell and Sonia Kruger foolishly opened with a question about her sister Kim.

Unfortunately for the co-hosts, Kardashian’s publicists were talking to her off-camera, advising her not to discuss that matter. Instead, Kourtney freezes, but for the occasional blink — some fans thought she was pretending to freeze. Whatever her intention, it ratcheted the cringe factor up.

2. Sharon Stone

Few Hollywood stars grab the ’90s zeitgeist quite like Sharon Stone. Her intense screen presence in Basic Instinct (1992) led to one of cinema’s most risqué and iconic moments.

In 2018, a CBS reporter breached the subject of physical harassment being so prevalent in Hollywood.

“Were you ever in a position like…that you felt you were uncomfortable?” Stone laughed in his face at such a seemingly naive question.

“Can you imagine the business I stepped into 40 years ago?” she shot back. “From nowhere, Pennsylvania — I didn’t come here with any protection.”

3. That BBC Correspondent

One of television news’ greatest moments came in 2017 when American correspondent and Asia expert Professor Robert Kelly appeared live on BBC News. His talking head slot on a live conference call about South Korea didn’t go quite as planned.

In the clip, his eldest young daughter enters the bedroom behind him. When the BBC host alerts an unsuspecting Kelly to this, another infant child follows his sister. He apologizes before his panicked wife leaps into the room and whisks them away, making it even funnier. The clip endeared Kelly to the audience, but at the time, he looked ready to die inside.

4. Stephen McDaniel

Georgia resident Stephen McDaniel went to prison following the murder of his next-door neighbor, Lauren Giddings. During a manhunt for Giddings, her murderer appeared on live TV news outside his apartment block, trying his best to act normal.

“We’re just trying to find out where she is at this point,” McDaniel told the reporter. “I mean, no one has seen her since Saturday.”

It was at this moment that the reporter told him Giddings’ body had been discovered.

“Body?” inquires a visibly shaken McDaniel. His demeanor completely changed, and the confidence drained from his face. He was arrested soon afterward for first-degree murder.

5. The Bee Gees

British talk shows may not have the same glitz as American late-night shows, but there is no shortage of drama. In 1997, British satirist and talk show host Clive Anderson found himself on the wrong side of the Bee Gees after an errant comment on his All Talk show.

Upon hearing that the Bee Gees’ former band name was a rude British slang term, Anderson joked they were always that term to him. A series of other tongue-in-cheek roasts later prompted Barry Gibb to lead a surprise walkout with Robin. A reluctant Maurice then just said, “I guess that means I have to go.” Anderson looked mortified.

6. Cara Delevigne

When the British actress appeared on an early-morning CBS News show to plug her new film, Paper Towns (2015), things soon went cold. For reasons unknown, her usual, measured English accent irritated her interrogators, who asked her what was wrong.

Delevigne was rocked, though she tried her best to assure them she was fine until another studio guest asked whether she needed a nap, recommending a Red Bull. This barbed comment threw the actress off, causing her to shut down, and she was duly cut off.

7. Gary Coleman

The Insider was a news review panel show that aired in the new millennium. It was famous for its celebrity cameos. After being arrested in 2010 for an outstanding domestic assault riot, Gary Coleman tried and failed to clear his name on the show.

When challenged by legal panelist Lisa Bloom, the late Different Strokes star fled the studio when asked to clarify whether he had hit his wife. It wasn’t the best look.

8. Vin Diesel

The Hollywood action icon was plugging his new XXX: The Return of Xander Cage (2017) movie in Brazil when things became awkward. Clearly captivated by his host, Diesel was mid-answer when he suddenly turned on the charm.

“God, you’re so beautiful,” said Diesel before looking at the camera crew and people behind them. “How am I supposed to do this interview? Look at this woman.” Eyes up, Vin!

9. Scarlett Johannson

It must be difficult being a pinup actress, especially when the general public is watching your every move. It must be why Scarlett Johansson lost her cool during a conversation about The Avengers (2012) with Jeremy Renner for ExtraTV.

After a question about whether her Natasha Romanoff skin-tight bodysuit allowed any room for undergarments, Johansson was appalled.

“You’re like the fifth person who’s asked me that today,” gasped Johansson. “What kind of interview is this?” She then suggested the questioner leave it to his imagination.

10. Joan Rivers

Joan Rivers was never one to shy away from her opinions, especially when challenged live on air. CNN initially upset the late comedienne with a criticism of her trademark, irreverent comedy style.

Naturally, Rivers doubled down, though her sparring partner wasn’t done. Next came an off-the-cuff remark about her fur coat on her autobiography cover photo. Rivers then stormed off-set.

11. Charlie Sheen

For a short period, Charlie Sheen became one of the most talked-about American celebrities — sadly, not for the right reasons. The former actor has filled tabloid columns and Internet threads with his high-octane approach to life. Most of his post-Two and a Half Men (2003) TV appearances have been awkward.

In one incident, when asked whether he was “bipolar,” Sheen replied that he was “bi-winning.” His claim of having no psychological problems didn’t wash, considering he was displaying some borderline behavior.

12. R. Kelly

The cringe factor went to 11 when disgraced former R&B star R. Kelly, who was sentenced to 20 years in prison, appeared in a TV segment. Four years prior to his sentencing for illegal conduct with minors and a disgraceful photo collection, the singer pleaded his innocence.

“Stop it. Y’all quit playing. I didn’t do this stuff. It’s not me,” Kelly begged as he beat his chest, making his opponent uncomfortable. The future convict only made himself look more guilty with this charade.

13. Cameron Diaz

Oh, Cameron, you didn’t. While this episode wasn’t exactly news, it certainly made the news headlines. The Hollywood starlet-turned-stalwart appeared on the much-loved Graham Norton Show in 2014.

Unfortunately, Diaz had been enjoying her day too much, facing accusations afterward that she was drunk on the guest couch. This charge looked true after she referred to pubic hair while stroking mixed-race comedian Richard Ayoade’s afro.

14. Mark Wahlberg

The Graham Norton Show was the scene of a TV crime featuring an American A-lister who had enjoyed the green room refreshments too much. This time, Mark Wahlberg stumbled into the studio and raised a few eyebrows along with his glass.

While the Brits have few issues with a tipsy celebrity, comedienne Sarah Silverman almost looked uncomfortable as Wahlberg lusted over her, then stumbled and slurred his way through the chat.

15. Mel Gibson

The Australian-born ’80s and ’90s pinup hasn’t always maintained great relations with the media machine. Gibson is no stranger to making his interviewer uncomfortable on camera. WGN News found this out the hard way following Gibson’s 2006 arrest for DUI.

The segment host, Dean Richards, moved into faux pas territory, bringing up a just-woken Gibson’s past accusations of antisemitism. Gibson took it well and waited until the last second’s goodbyes to drop a barbed insult on Richards.

16. Paula Abdul

There is a pattern with some stars appearing inebriated on camera, and former X-Factor panelist and singer Paula Abdul is no exception. Famously, she joined Fox News in 2007 for a promotional plug, which went downhill fast.

Though Abdul assured people afterward that she wasn’t drunk, the pint-sized pop singer was clearly inebriated. “How about a lot of you coming in? It’s a wild party where you are,” said Abdul in response to an innocent question about her hit TV show.

17. Prince Andrew

One of television’s greatest fails must be disgraced British royal Prince Andrew, once married to Sarah Ferguson and father to two girls. Sadly, for the prince, his friendship with the murky Jeffrey Epstein caught up with him following accusations of improper conduct with a minor.

His worst soundbite came following his accuser’s description of a sweaty assailant. The prince told BBC correspondent Emily Maitlis he had a rare medical condition during that period, saying he couldn’t sweat.

Yeah, right.

18. Mike Tyson

America’s former (and current) heavyweight boxing star tore a hole through 37 professional boxers in the space of four years. Since hanging up his gloves, the unorthodox Tyson has swayed between shocking hosts with his intellect and sparring verbally.

The latter happened between Tyson and Russ Salzberg of Channel 9, who called Tyson out for his conduct during his 1997 Evander Holyfield rematch, where Tyson bit his opponent’s ear off.

“Whatever happens, happens,” said Tyson before losing his patience with the defiant Salzberg, saying they were done. Salzburg never recovered from the haymaker.

19. O.J. Simpson

O.J. Simpson was found not guilty of murder following a long-running and world-famous televised court case. Documentarian and comedy chat host Ruby Wax worked in British television for many years. Her biographical “Ruby Wax Meets” series followed Simpson in the months after his crime in Los Angeles.

On one occasion, Simpson played a tone-deaf prank on Wax, knocking on her hotel door and wielding a knife in a mock-Psycho skit. The show’s host looked visibly terrified at his unhinged prank.

20. Tom Cruise

Let’s go easy on Tom; he appears to be a good guy who is unlucky in love. Still, in a world-famous Oprah Winfrey Show encounter, Cruise creeped out a generation of people.

The polymath actor couldn’t contain his glee after engaging young actress Katie Holmes, especially after a spate of failed post-divorce relationships. Cue the actor leaping on the couch, declaring his love for Holmes.

We all know what happened in that relationship. Oh, Tom.

21. Julian Assange

The Wikileaks founder and military secrets investigator is one of the best-known names in the news media industry. Julian Assange met with CNN following his release of top-secret classified U.S. military documents.

“I’m going to walk if you’re going to contaminate us, revealing the deaths of 104,000 people,” Assange warned host Atika Shubert.

The international news correspondent was pressing him on his lawsuits. Irked that his revelations weren’t the focus of the piece, Assange was true to his word and fled.

22. Rita Ora

The Kosovan-born British singing sensation made an appearance on the red carpet at a star-studded launch of a DKNY fragrance in 2013. Surprisingly, journalism gold-standard bearers, the Associated Press, fell foul of the singer.

The questioner pressed Ora too far on personal matters, shifting the chat to her damaging breakup with producer Calvin Harris.

“There have been a lot of rumors about Calvin Harris not releasing your stuff,” said the presenter. “Thank you,” smiled a rattled Ora before bidding a polite farewell.

23. Shannon Tweed

Former actress and long-serving Gene Simmons’ life partner, Shannon Tweed, once walked from a Joy Behar Say Anything segment. The kicker here was that it was Simmons who sparked the conflict with an off-hand joke. Promoting their new series Gene Simmons Family Jewels, the Canadian had already spoken of her embarrassment at Simmons’ life of rock star philandering.

After another revealing clip, Simmons made a quip about his “prowess,” prompting Tweed’s furious exit. The Kiss frontman was left facing Behar’s inquest like a student in the principal’s office, which somehow felt even worse.

24. Sarah Ferguson

Duchess of York Sarah Ferguson married Prince Andrew in the second big British royal wedding of the ’80s following Prince Charles and Diana Spencer. Their marriage lasted a decade, during which many tabloid stories emerged. Ferguson hit the tabloids again after a sting operation caught her selling royal secrets for cash in 2010.

She went on 60 Minutes Australia sometime later to discuss what happened, making things worse with her conduct and indirect responses. Finally, when her sparring partner, Michael Usher, kept pushing the scandal, she reached a limit. “I’m just going to take five minutes,” she said, then departed.