Celebrity Scandals

New York Attorney General Letitia James said it best: “Celebrity and fame does not absolve someone from following the law.” While this statement is widely applicable, James was referring to celebrity chef Mario Batali at the conclusion of a four-year investigation by NY’s AG office into allegations that he and other staff sexually harassed employees.

I often say that a different set of rules seems to apply to my celebrity clients. But because of social media, times have changed for those who hold positions of power. Many things celebrities say and do still slide by without penalty or recourse. But when they DO get in trouble, the news seems to blast across the Internet in a flash.

When I’m asked to comment on a company or celebrity’s ability to “come back from this,” my response is always rooted in three factors:

What was their reputation beforehand?
Is their road to redemption genuine?
Are they willing to stomach the consequences of their actions?

You need all three to make it work. In July, I appeared on Access Hollywood to discuss the fallout surrounding Chrissy Teigen’s bullying scandal.

Here are some highlights from that interview, including some extra insights you didn’t get to see:

What do allegations like this mean for Chrissy?

This topic hits home for everyone because everyone’s been bullied or picked on at some point in their life. As a result, we all bring our own painful experiences to claims of bullying.

Chrissy issued an apology that addressed past bullying incidents without naming names. Should she come out and specifically address all who have accused her?

At a bare minimum, she owes her accusers private apologies. (Why private? Because not all of those she allegedly bullied will want to relive it publicly.)

How much does it cost someone like Chrissy when several sponsors and endorsers drop them?

While I can’t speak to the dollar value of her contracts, she has a lot to lose from a reputation aspect. Still, it’s possible for her to make a comeback if she’s willing to put in the work.

Chrissy’s getting many harsh comments on her social media, and there are calls for her to be canceled. Should she stay off or deactivate her social media?

Canceling a person shouldn’t be the goal. Fixing the inappropriate behavior is. If she can’t use social media for constructive purposes, she should avoid it.

Do your clients in a similar situation struggle emotionally during a crisis like these?

All the time! A crisis is by definition emotionally jarring. When your reputation is on the line, clients can’t help but take it personally.

For more tips like these, check out A Lawyer’s Guide to Crisis PR: Protecting Your Client’s Reputation.

Gillott Communications is a Los Angeles-based public relations firm that specializes in high-stakes Crisis & Reputation Management with more than 50 years of expertise in strategic communications, corporate public relations, and working with the media.