11 Female Hollywood Celebs Who Went From Beloved To Despised Overnight

Some people don’t recognize a favor, and Hollywood women have been getting hit with that exact energy for years. One day they’re getting praised for everything, the next day the internet acts like they personally stole someone’s lunch money.

It’s especially brutal when the hate clusters around a specific moment or vibe. Anne Hathaway became the face of early-2010s backlash with #HathaHate, and the whole thing spread into that messy “double bind” where fame turns admiration into disdain fast. Then Jennifer Lawrence got dragged into the same orbit, Kendall Jenner kept getting pile-ons, and Jenna Ortega’s Wednesday mood didn’t stay cute for long.

By the time Sydney Sweeney and Halle Bailey were caught in their own storms, the pattern stopped feeling random and started feeling like a system.

Why are people so relentless at tearing women down?

via X

Think of it as social media’s “White Boy of the Month,” but with a complete twist.

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Anne Hathaway

In one of the most baffling cases of a woman receiving tons of hate for no good reason, Anne went from being adored to suddenly reviled by a group of internet users in what became known as #HathaHate back in the early 2010s.

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That’s why #HathaHate wasn’t just about Anne Hathaway, it was about how quickly people decided she must be “the problem.”

The Double Bind of Fame

This paradox can lead to swift public backlash when they defy traditional expectations, resulting in a sudden shift from admiration to disdain.

Coping with Public Backlash

Jennifer Lawrence

Interestingly, Jennifer found herself in the spotlight alongside Anne during the #HathaHate era, with many articles drawing comparisons between Jennifer’s popular “cool girl” image and Anne’s. However, as time went on, the internet grew disenchanted with Jennifer as well.

As you might guess, this led to a wave of baseless hate directed toward her.

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Jennifer Lopez

J.Lo has had her fair share of controversial moments, but there’s no doubt that the hate directed toward her can become extreme.

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Kendall Jenner

Likewise, Kendall has endured a great deal of online backlash over the years. Even though she and the Kardashian/Jenner family often spark strong opinions, it’s hard not to see how the sheer volume of hate she faces can feel disproportionate.

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And once Jennifer Lawrence was compared to Anne, the internet didn’t just criticize her, it upgraded the hate from “opinion” to “trend.”

Societal narratives around women can shift dramatically based on perceived notions of desirability and morality.

This is similar to what stage makeup looks like up close, once phone cameras expose everything.

Jenna Ortega

Jenna rose to prominence in 2022 with her role in the hit Netflix series Wednesday. However, it wasn't long before online users grew weary of her and began criticizing the dark, moody vibe that had initially won her so much praise.

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Sydney Sweeney

Before the debates over her family’s political views or her financial matters took center stage, Sydney endured a torrent of unrelenting criticism focused solely on her nude scenes in Euphoria and her appearance.

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Halle Bailey

Halle faced a wave of racist criticism when she landed the role of Ariel in The Little Mermaid in 2019. On top of that, she’s been slammed online for her relationship with rapper DDG and for keeping her pregnancy under wraps last year.

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Meanwhile Jenna Ortega’s Wednesday success flipped into nitpicking the moment online users grew tired of her dark, moody vibe.

Media representation plays a crucial role in shaping public perception, as noted by the narratives created around female celebrities often lack nuance, reducing complex individuals to mere stereotypes.

This oversimplification can lead to rapid shifts in public opinion, where a star is adored one moment and vilified the next.

To combat this, Couros suggests promoting diverse stories and voices in media to create a richer understanding of women’s experiences.

Millie Bobby Brown

After becoming a star on Netflix’s Stranger Things, Millie was labeled as annoying by many online users who thought she was “over the top.” The trolling became so intense that Millie even said she was afraid to walk down the street.

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Brie Larson

When Brie starred as the lead in Captain Marvel (2019), the first Marvel superhero film with a female lead, she unfortunately faced a lot of misogynistic backlash from MCU fans.

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Angelina Jolie

Angelina is adored now, but she was heavily criticized in the early 2000s, particularly because of her notorious divorces from Billy Bob Thornton and Jonny Lee Miller. When Brad Pitt and Jennifer Aniston's marriage ended, Angelina was unfairly targeted, even though her relationship with Brad began while they were filming Mr. & Mrs. Smith.

Following their split, some blogs dubbed her the most despised woman in Hollywood.

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Then Sydney Sweeney’s Euphoria backlash and Halle Bailey’s racist attacks made it painfully clear the hate never really runs out, it just changes targets.

Building these connections can provide a safe space for reflection and personal growth, enabling celebrities to weather public criticism more effectively.

Anna Gunn

After portraying Skyler White, one of TV’s most disliked characters, in Breaking Bad, Anna was hit with a torrent of criticism from fans who couldn't separate her from her role.

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Sexism is still a major issue, affecting all women significantly, and it's even worse for those in the spotlight. Female celebrities receive more hate simply because they're visible, demonstrating how society loves to blame strong, successful women for its problems.

It's a tough fight, but it's one many are facing.

The narratives surrounding female celebrities in Hollywood reveal a troubling pattern of rapid public opinion shifts that often stem from deeper societal inequalities. This article highlights the stark reality that women, regardless of their fame, are subject to harsh scrutiny and judgment, often overnight. The experiences of these beloved figures turned despised illustrate a troubling double standard, where one misstep can overshadow years of achievements. Resilience becomes paramount as these women navigate the treacherous waters of fame, where support systems and authentic connections can make a significant difference. The call for a culture that values diverse narratives and fosters understanding is more urgent than ever, as it can pave the way for a more compassionate environment for all women in the public eye.

The internet doesn’t just turn beloved into despised, it turns women into targets on a schedule.

Want a reminder of how fast backlash can turn into police trouble? Read about Lea DeLaria getting literally arrested for being gay in public.