20 Celebrities Who Took the Stand in 2023
From copyright infringement to wire fraud and drug trafficking to sexual assault, celebrities face legal issues just like everybody else. The difference is it's highly publicized when they get caught doing something wrong.
Here's a look at 20 celebrities who were sued, took the stand, or were arrested in 2023:
1. Gwyneth Paltrow
Actor and Goop founder Gwyneth Paltrow went to trial in March for a skiing collision in Utah in 2016. The plaintiff, retired optometrist Terry Sanderson, sued Paltrow for more than $300,000. The jury ruled Paltrow was not liable for the crash.
2. Pete Davidson
Davidson resolved a misdemeanor reckless driving charge in July. The comedian and "Saturday Night Live" star was required to complete 50 hours of community service for crashing into a Beverly Hills home in March of 2023.
3. Bad Bunny
Benito Martínez Ocasio, or Bad Bunny, was sued by an ex-girlfriend for a voice recording she provided before he was famous. Bad Bunny's lawyers claim the recording, which was included in two of the artist's songs, doesn't fall under copyright protection.
4. Robert De Niro
Graham Chase Robinson, former assistant turned VP at De Niro's company Canal Production, sued De Niro for gender discrimination and retaliation. Canal Production was found responsible and Robinson was awarded just over $1.2 million in damages.
5. Ed Sheeran
Singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran went to trial in April for copyright infringement. Heirs of Marvin Gaye's "Let's Get It On" co-writer Ed Townsend sued Sheeran for copying key elements of the '70s hit in his song "Thinking Out Loud." Sheeran was found not liable.
6. Lizzo
Grammy-winning artist Lizzo was sued in August by three former dancers who accused the singer of sexual harassment and creating a hostile work environment. In December, Lizzo's lawyers filed a motion to dismiss the lawsuit, calling it "meritless and salacious."
7. Young Thug
Grammy-winning rapper Young Thug's racketeering trial began in November. He's accused of being the leader of a criminal street gang that committed murder and violent crimes in the Atlanta area over the past decade.
8. Vin Diesel
In December, "Fast & Furious" star Vin Diesel was accused of sexual battery, creating a hostile work environment, and wrongful termination. The lawsuit, which was filed by former assistant Asta Jonasson, suggests Diesel forced himself on her in a hotel suite.
9. Jamie Foxx
Actor Jamie Foxx was accused of sexual assault and battery charges. The lawsuit, which was filed in November by plaintiff Jane Doe, claims Foxx "intentionally and without consent used force to offensively touch Plaintiff's person".
10. Fetty Wap
Rapper Fetty Wap was sentenced to six years in prison for his participation in a New York-based drug trafficking operation. His lawyers suggested his decision to sell drugs was influenced by the financial hardship brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic.
11. Jonathan Majors
In December, Marvel and "Creed III" star Jonathan Majors was found guilty of assault and harassment of his former girlfriend, Grace Jabbari. His sentencing is scheduled for early 2024.
12. Michael Jackson
A lawsuit accusing Michael Jackson of sexually abusing Wade Robson and James Safechuck when they were boys was revived in August. The lawsuit alleges that two Jackson-owned corporations have a responsibility to protect them.
13. Danny Masterson
Masterson, star of "That ’70s Show," faced trial and was convicted of rape. On Sept. 7, he was sentenced to 30 years to life for the rape of two women occurring two decades ago, which his lawyers say they plan to appeal.
14. Kevin Spacey
In July, Hollywood star Kevin Spacey was acquitted on nine charges, including multiple counts of sexual assault that allegedly took place between 2004 and 2013.
15. Shakira
Shakira went to trial for tax fraud and reached a deal with Spanish authorities in November. The pop star failed to pay the Spanish government 14.5 million euros ($15.8 million) in taxes between 2012 and 2014.
16. A$AP Rocky
In November, A$AP Rocky was dismissed on charges that he fired a gun at a former friend outside a hotel in 2021. The case, which Rocky pleaded not guilty to, was the second count of assault with a semiautomatic firearm the artist has faced.
17. Cuba Gooding Jr.
Academy Award-winning actor Cuba Gooding Jr. settled a trial accusing him of raping a woman in a New York City hotel more than 10 years ago. Gooding maintained his encounter with the women was consensual.
18. Axl Rose
In November, a lawsuit filed in November accused Axl Rose, the lead singer of Guns N' Roses, of sexually assaulting model and actress Sheila Kennedy after they met at a New York City nightclub in 1989.
19. Nirvana
On Dec. 21, an appeals court ruled Nirvana must face a lawsuit over the naked baby on their "Nevermind" album cover. The lawsuit, filed by the man who was the nude baby on the cover, claims it violates child pornography laws.
20. Marilyn Manson
On September 18, Brian Warner, aka Marilyn Manson, was sentenced to 20 hours of community service and fined just over $1,400 after pleading "no contest" to blowing his nose on a videographer at a 2019 concert.
References: The Biggest Celebrity Trials of 2023 | Celebrity arrests, trials and lawsuits from 2023
