Celebrity Arrests That Dominated Headlines In 2025
The viral scandals that made 2025 a chaotic year for celebrity culture
Celebrity arrests in 2025 didn’t arrive as rare shocks; they built into a steady rhythm that seemed to define the entire year. Almost every news cycle brought another well-known face into the spotlight for reasons no publicist could spin. Actors from nostalgic sitcoms, chart-topping musicians, YouTube stars with millions of followers, Olympic medalists, and even once-beloved family-friendly icons all found themselves facing legal trouble.
What made this year stand out wasn’t just the number of cases, but how unpredictable and varied they were. Some stories involved reckless driving during winter storms, public intoxication, or tense confrontations caught on livestream. Others were far more serious, involving domestic violence charges, long-term investigations, or multi-state warrants that had quietly been building behind the scenes.
Fans reacted with a mix of disbelief, disappointment, and fascination. Many couldn’t reconcile the smiling public personalities they knew with the chaos shown in arrest reports. Social media poured fuel on the fire.
Within minutes of an arrest, mugshots spread across platforms, hashtags trended, and comment sections filled with theories, jokes, or heated debates. Viral clips from bodycam recordings to shaky footage captured by bystanders made many of these moments feel like real-time entertainment rather than legal consequences.
Not every arrest unfolded publicly. Some were kept under wraps until official records were released or court appearances became unavoidable. Those quieter revelations often carried an even heavier punch, especially when they involved celebrities once viewed as stable, relatable, or scandal-free.
The arrests highlighted shifting pressures in fame, the magnifying impact of social media, and the unpredictable ways public figures respond when their personal lives collide with public scrutiny.
These moments shaped conversations, sparked controversy, and changed how many fans viewed the people they once admired. Here are 15 celebrity arrests that defined 2025.
Haley Joel Osment
Haley Joel Osment’s arrest at Mammoth Mountain quickly made headlines after police bodycam footage showed the actor intoxicated, confused, and arguing with officers.
Authorities said they were called to the ski resort over concerns about an impaired guest and found the 37-year-old struggling to stand and refusing to give his name. At one point, officers noted his ski pants were falling as they tried to detain him.
The video recorded Osment shouting accusations and using antisemitic slurs, which were later muted in the released footage. Police also claimed they found possible drug residue on cash stored in his ski helmet. He was arrested on misdemeanor charges and released soon after.
Later that day, Osment issued a statement saying he was ashamed of his behavior. He blamed months of stress after losing his home in the Altadena wildfire and apologized, especially to the Jewish community, saying he plans to make things right.
Mono County Sheriff's OfficeChris Brown
Chris Brown was taken into custody in Manchester in May over a 2023 incident at a London nightclub. Police say the 36-year-old singer is suspected of causing serious bodily harm after allegedly hitting music producer Amadou “Abe” Diaw with a tequila bottle and stomping on him.
Diaw later filed a $16 million lawsuit, claiming the attack left him with significant injuries, including head cuts and torn ligaments, along with long-term trauma.
London’s Central West police unit is handling the case, and the arrest happened just before Brown’s planned 20th anniversary UK tour dates.
Jordan Peck/Getty Images
Lil Nas X
Lil Nas X, known for the hit Old Town Road, was arrested in Los Angeles after reportedly charging at officers while walking down Ventura Boulevard wearing only underwear and cowboy boots. Police said the incident happened around 5:30 a.m., and he was detained on suspicion of battery before being taken to a hospital due to concerns about a possible overdose.
A viral, unverified clip circulating online shows him dancing in the street and calling out to people passing by, adding to the bizarre nature of the situation. Lil Nas X, whose real name is Montero Lamar Hill, is no stranger to headlines.
He became the first openly gay artist to win a Country Music Association award and gained global fame in 2019 when Old Town Road spent a record-breaking 17 weeks at number one on the Billboard Hot 100.
Frederic J. Brown-Pool/Getty Images
Darius Mccrary
Darius McCrary, known for playing Eddie Winslow on Family Matters, was arrested in San Diego after U.S. Border Patrol agents confirmed he had a felony fugitive warrant from Michigan. The 49-year-old actor was booked in October and held without bail.
The warrant reportedly stemmed from missed court appearances tied to unpaid child support. Court documents from 2019 show he was ordered to pay $1,366 monthly following his divorce from actress and former Harlem Globetrotter Tammy Brawner.
The arrest marked a sharp decline from his once recognizable TV fame in the late ’80s and ’90s.
Oakland County Jail
Akon
Akon, 51, ended up in legal trouble in Georgia this fall. In September, police found his Tesla Cybertruck stalled in the middle of the road with a dead battery. When officers checked his information, they discovered his license was suspended because he had missed a court date the year before. The truck was towed, and he was fined.
People online joked about the situation, pointing out that Tesla's issue loud and visual warnings long before the battery dies, making the incident even more embarrassing.
Then, on November 7, Akon was arrested again—this time on a warrant from DeKalb County. He spent a few hours in custody before being released the same day. Authorities haven’t revealed the reason for the warrant.
Fans quickly turned the moment into humor, calling it “Locked Up 2.0” in reference to his famous early hit about run-ins with the law.
Chamblee Police Department
Kim Delaney
Actress Kim Delaney, 65, and her husband James Morgan, 54, were arrested in April after police responded to a reported domestic dispute at their Marina del Rey home. Delaney was held without bail on suspicion of felony assault, while Morgan was booked for domestic violence and later released on $20,000 bail.
Prosecutors later declined to file charges due to insufficient evidence. Delaney’s team did not comment, and it’s unknown whether either had legal representation.
kimdelaney4reel
Tom Welling
Former Smallville star Tom Welling faced legal trouble early in 2025 after being arrested for DUI in Yreka, California. Deputies stopped him shortly after midnight when he was caught driving 75 mph in a 45 mph zone during snowy road conditions. A breathalyzer test showed his blood alcohol level was above the legal limit.
Welling was booked and later released on bond. By May, he pleaded no contest to a reduced charge. His punishment included a $619 fine, $150 restitution, mandatory DUI classes, and one year of probation.
Siskiyou County Sheriff's Office
Zachery Ty Bryan
Zachery Ty Bryan, known from Home Improvement, was arrested again in Eugene, Oregon, in November, marking his sixth run-in with the law in five years. Records show he was taken into custody for allegedly violating probation from a past domestic violence case and was held without bail.
His fiancée, Johnnie Faye Cartwright, was also arrested that day on multiple charges, including DUI and reckless endangerment. This incident comes after a series of serious accusations and arrests involving violence and substance abuse.
Earlier this year, Bryan faced new domestic violence charges after Cartwright reported he assaulted her while their children were nearby. That followed two DUIs in 2024 and a 2023 felony domestic violence conviction that resulted in probation instead of a jail sentence.
His probation was expected to last until 2026, but this latest arrest could change that outcome.
Horry County Sheriff's Office
Eric Mabius
Eric Mabius, 53, known for Ugly Betty and Hallmark’s Signed, Sealed, Delivered, was arrested in Florida around 2 a.m. on misdemeanor charges of battery and resisting arrest, according to PEOPLE. Court documents show he pleaded not guilty shortly after.
Police reports say he appeared highly intoxicated at a bar and allegedly knocked two women to the ground, pulling hair from one victim before others stepped in. Officers claimed he ignored basic commands and had to be escorted and taken into custody.
A no-contact order was later issued, preventing him from contacting the alleged victim, Amelia Bell. The news surprised many fans familiar with his longtime clean public image and family-friendly roles.
Nassau County Sheriff's Department
Fred Kerley
Fred Kerley, a 29-year-old American sprinter and two-time Olympic medalist, was arrested in May after allegedly hitting fhis ormer girlfriend and hurdler Alaysha Johnson, according to police.
Johnson reported that Kerley struck her during an argument at a hotel, leaving her with a bloody nose. The arrest report noted her injuries matched the statement she gave officers. Kerley now faces a misdemeanor battery charge.
Following the arrest, he was removed from the Grand Slam Track event in Miami, where he was set to compete in both the 100m and 200m races. Organizers confirmed his withdrawal after news of the incident surfaced.
Dania Beach Police Dept.
Max Ehrich
Max Ehrich, known for his role on The Young and the Restless and his brief engagement to Demi Lovato, was arrested in Florida after a disturbing early-morning incident.
Authorities confirmed the 34-year-old was taken into custody on a domestic violence charge involving an elderly family member. He later posted a $1,000 bond and was released the same day.
Reports claim Ehrich had been using nitrous oxide before becoming aggressive, even livestreaming part of the altercation that involved his mother. A neighbor called the police after she ran to their home for safety. The arrest record also referenced the Baker Act, suggesting mental health concerns played a role.
In the days leading up to the arrest, Ehrich shared emotional and erratic posts online, including his mother’s phone number and requests for money, leading many fans to worry and urge him to get professional help.
St. Lucie County Sheriff’s Office
William Levy
Actor William Levy was arrested in Weston, Florida, after police said he was intoxicated and causing trouble at a restaurant, leading management to ban him from returning. Officers later booked the 44-year-old into Broward County Jail, where he posted a $500 bond the next day.
Reporters were waiting when he walked out, and Levy claimed he was only trying to break up an argument before the situation escalated. The Cuban-born star, known for hit telenovelas like Triunfo del Amor and La Tempestad, later expanded his career into films, including Resident Evil: The Final Chapter and Killing Sarai.
Broward Sheriff's Office
Jack Doherty
Jack Doherty, a 22-year-old YouTuber with more than 14 million followers, was arrested in Miami Beach in November after police said he stepped into the street while filming and blocked traffic at around 3 a.m.
Bodycam video showed officers telling him to move, but he reportedly refused and replied, “Once I’m done with this bet.” A search led to charges including possession of a controlled substance, possession of cannabis under 20 grams, and resisting an officer without violence.
He posted bond the same night and later said it was “the worst 24 hours ever,” arguing there was no traffic when the incident happened.
The arrest adds to a growing list of controversies, including a livestream-related crash that previously led to a platform ban and public accusations from his ex-girlfriend earlier this year.
Miami Dade County Corrections and Rehabilitation
Marcus Jordan
Marcus Jordan, son of Michael Jordan, was arrested in Florida after police found his car stuck on railroad tracks and suspected he was driving under the influence. He initially faced DUI and cocaine charges, but later testing showed the substance was actually ketamine, which is a felony in Florida.
Jordan was also charged with resisting an officer without violence and DUI with property damage. Police said he refused a breath test and failed field sobriety tests before being taken into custody. He was released on bond and has avoided public statements since the incident, saying he plans to focus on work rather than personal issues.
Orange County Jail
Alix Lapri
Actress Alix Lapri, known for her role as Effie in Power and Power Book II: Ghost, was arrested in DeKalb County, Georgia, in August. The 28-year-old faced charges of third-degree child cruelty and disorderly conduct after a public altercation with her sister that was witnessed by a minor. She was released after spending a little more than 24 hours in custody.
Lapri, who began pursuing acting after moving to Atlanta at 13, has also appeared in Den of Thieves, Red Band Society, and other TV projects. She has not commented publicly on the incident, though she remains active on Instagram and TikTok.
DeKalb County Sheriff's Office
By the close of 2025, one thing became clear: fame offered no protection from consequences. These arrests shifted conversations about accountability, mental health, and the pressure of constant visibility.
Fans and critics alike were forced to separate admiration from reality. Whether careers recover or fade remains uncertain, but the impact of this year’s events won’t disappear quickly.