Buzz
The exposure of figures like mega-producer Harvey Weinstein and other influential men in Hollywood has uncovered a dark side of the industry. If you've ever dreamed of becoming a major star and living in the spotlight, you might want to think twice once you learn what it's truly like behind the scenes.
Hollywood is more than just fame, wealth, glamorous events, and devoted followers. Beneath the surface, there's a deep sense of emptiness, exploitation, heartache, and even criminal activity. Here are ten chilling secrets and disturbing stories that reveal the untold reality of the entertainment world.
10. Paparazzi for Hire
If you've ever seen a celebrity photo in a tabloid or gossip site that looks too perfect, it’s likely staged. In 2016, a photographer exposed the fact that many stars carefully plan their photoshoots to control their public image. Kim Kardashian, for example, keeps a personal paparazzo on speed dial. She frequently texts him and flies him around the globe to photograph her. Kardashian personally reviews each shot, which is then extensively photoshopped before being sold to magazines.
Long before Kim Kardashian took control of the paparazzi, Spencer Pratt and Heidi Montag from MTV’s The Hills had a 50/50 deal with a company called Pacific Coast News. They posed for “over-the-top cheesy shots” which were then sold to magazines worldwide. Pratt referred to it as “the best gig ever,” and he and Montag earned over $1 million from selling their pictures. Celebrities view it as a mutually beneficial working relationship, and their fans often remain unaware that the so-called “candid” photos are carefully staged before being made public.
9. Drugs Are Often Allowed On Movie Sets
At times, all it takes is an illicit substance for an actor or actress to deliver their most unforgettable performance. Hollywood has long been rumored to provide many A-list stars with a steady supply of their favorite vices.
Famed actor Dennis Quaid opened up about his “casual” addiction to cocaine before his rise to stardom. Upon arriving in Los Angeles in 1974, he experimented with the drug occasionally, but things spiraled out of control once he landed major film roles. He also revealed that cocaine was secretly included in film budgets—hidden under the category of “petty cash” to keep it under wraps. Quaid claimed that the drug was regularly distributed on movie sets because it had become so common, and everyone was using it. Reflecting on his past, he admitted that his cocaine addiction was one of his biggest regrets. He stated that his addiction ultimately led to the downfall of his life.
Even Jack Nicholson has been open about his drug use. In a 1980 interview, he shared, “Drugs ain’t no big thing,” and admitted he still enjoyed getting high “about four days a week.”
8. Publicity Stunts
Hollywood is known for its love of publicity stunts, and there's no end to how far the industry will go to grab the public’s attention. In 2014, there was a frenzy surrounding Kanye West and Kim Kardashian’s bid for the cover of Vogue. When Anna Wintour, the magazine’s editor-in-chief, ultimately put them on the front page, it sparked a massive controversy. Some readers even threatened to cancel their Vogue subscriptions, denouncing Kimye as unsuitable for such a prestigious magazine.
Wintour later commented publicly that no one would have questioned the magazine’s decision if it had chosen more ‘tasteful’ cover stars. However, by featuring West and Kardashian, she generated much-needed buzz for the magazine. In the world of entertainment, even negative attention is still attention.
7. Eating Disorders
The pressure to maintain a thin and beautiful appearance has caused some celebrities to struggle with eating disorders. Living in the spotlight means they’re constantly under a microscope, judged not only by their fans and the public but also, at times, by their agents and managers, who may push them to lose weight in unhealthy ways.
Demi Lovato recalled that as a young child, around the age of “2 or 3 years old,” she would look down at her belly and wonder if it would ever be flat. As she got older, she battled an eating disorder, experiencing relapses during difficult life events. After her breakup with Wilmer Valderrama, she resorted to bingeing and purging due to her emotional distress.
Actress Naomi Watts shared that she practically starved herself in preparation for a red carpet event, while plus-size model Ashley Graham recalled an agent waving $20 bills in front of her, suggesting that if she lost more weight, she could earn 'a lot more than this.'
6. The Casting Couch Is Nothing New
Long before the Harvey Weinstein scandal surfaced, there were already rumors circulating about the casting couch—a practice where aspiring stars are allegedly given roles in exchange for sexual favors. Megan Fox addressed these rumors in an interview with GQ, providing a candid account of the reality behind them.
The actress shared that 'Hollywood legends' would invite her for meetings, and she would be thrilled at the prospect. However, upon arriving, she quickly realized the meeting was just a ruse. She said many men in the industry managed to exploit young women, but she refused to be one of them. She would immediately turn them down.
The casting couch has a long and troubling history, with many implicated in its use. One of the earliest perpetrators was Louis B. Mayer, co-founder of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer studios in 1924. Mayer was at the center of this abuse, wielding power and threats to get his way. If women didn’t comply, he would threaten to ruin their careers or those of their loved ones. Sound familiar? According to film critic and historian Carrie Rickey, 'The perils for women in Hollywood are embedded, like land mines, from an actress’s debut to her swan song,' where moguls like Harry Cohn allegedly wouldn’t cast starlets like Marilyn Monroe and Kim Novak unless they auditioned in bed.
5. The Mafia
Hollywood may be known for its sparkle and extravagant lifestyle, but it has a darker, hidden past. There is a side of Hollywood that many are unaware of—one filled with shady dealings and corruption.
It has long been rumored that a mobster named Mickey Cohen controlled the underworld of Hollywood. In 1950, Life magazine published an exposé titled 'Trouble in Los Angeles,' focusing on Cohen and his widespread organized crime operations that dominated the industry. This is one dark secret Hollywood would prefer to erase and never revisit.
4. Fixers Can Fix Anything
In an ideal world, a celebrity would navigate their career smoothly without facing any major problems. However, reality tells a different story—celebrities often find themselves in sticky situations. When things get out of hand, they rely on fixers like Michael Sitrick to save the day.
Sitrick has been a master of damage control in Hollywood for years, known for his ability to spin negative press into favorable coverage. He’s worked with high-profile clients like David Lee Roth and the disgraced NFL quarterback Michael Vick. Confronting controversy is his specialty, and when a celebrity is drowning in negative press, Sitrick is the one they want on their team. If you suddenly notice a surge in positive articles about a famous individual caught in a compromising situation, it’s likely that Sitrick, or a fixer like him, is working behind the scenes.
3. Love Child
The world was stunned when Eva Mendes managed to keep her growing baby bump hidden from the public eye. However, she’s far from the only celebrity to have kept a secret love child out of the media’s reach. In some cases, even the children themselves are as surprised as the rest of us!
Liv Tyler didn't discover that she was the biological daughter of Aerosmith's frontman Steven Tyler until she was eight years old. Her mother was quite young when she had Liv, and for much of her life, the actress was confused about her origins. She eventually pieced everything together on her own when she could no longer deny the striking resemblance between her and the singer. During one of his concerts, Liv looked at Steve’s daughter Mia, born just 17 months after her, and remarked that it felt like looking at her twin. Liv then turned to her mom, who had tears in her eyes. It was in that moment that she finally realized she was the secret love child of a rock star.
2. Cheating
Many actors spend a large portion of their time filming on set, often away from their loved ones for extended periods. The long hours spent with their co-stars and crew members can create opportunities for temptation. It’s not uncommon for stars to experience moments of weakness, which sometimes lead to infidelity. While some affairs end as soon as the filming concludes, others develop into full-blown scandals, relationships, or even marriages.
Angelina Jolie faced harsh criticism when she began a relationship with Brad Pitt while they were working together on Mr. & Mrs. Smith. At the time, Pitt was married to Jennifer Aniston, and their marriage crumbled after rumors of the affair spread. Aniston filed for divorce, and Pitt later wed Jolie. Kristen Stewart’s own scandal followed a similar pattern. While she was in a relationship with Twilight co-star Robert Pattinson, she was caught kissing director Rupert Sanders on the set of Snow White and the Huntsman. These are just two of the many examples of infidelity that have rocked Hollywood.
1. Ageism
Ageism remains a pervasive issue in Hollywood, with some actresses feeling the pressure to hide their true age. Margot Robbie faced considerable backlash when rumors about her real age began circulating online. But could she have had a legitimate reason for the deception? Perhaps.
An actress by the name of Junie Hoang filed a lawsuit against the Internet Movie Database for disclosing her actual age. In her legal claim, Hoang stated, 'In the entertainment industry, youth is king,' a direct accusation against the website for harming her career prospects by revealing her true age. Although she lost the case, the lawsuit shed light on the pervasive issue of ageism in Hollywood.
+ Child Abuse
For years, predators within the industry have been a poorly kept secret, and now, several high-ranking Hollywood figures and celebrities have been exposed for their alleged inappropriate actions involving young children. Kevin Spacey was recently accused of attempting to exploit a 14-year-old actor. Meanwhile, Corey Feldman, a former child star, has repeatedly spoken out about being abused by a prominent Hollywood figure during his teenage years.
After the Weinstein scandal, Feldman found the strength to publicly name his alleged abuser on an episode of The Doctor Oz Show. Feldman accused actor Jon Grissom of molesting him in the 1980s, revealing that Grissom continued to taunt him by displaying photos of them together on his Myspace page. This case represents just one example of the many allegations of inappropriate conduct within the industry, with many believing that even more secrets will be uncovered in time.
