9 Real-Life Popstar Moments as Crazy as 'Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping'
This Friday, The Lonely Island team takes aim at pop musicians, parodying the ridiculous antics and songs of our favorite singers in Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping. The film, already a hit with critics, stars Andy Samberg as Connor, an egotistical pop sensation who skyrockets to fame and then falters when his second album tanks. Connor is obviously a take on Justin Bieber with his insane clothes and moves (and the movie's title, which references that 2011 Bieber doc Never Say Never). Although the film is comedic fiction, especially its catchy but ridiculous songs, it's a reminder that real popstars don't quite live in the same world we do. Here are ten times actual singers did something that should have been fiction–but wasn't.
When Justin Bieber Threw Eggs at His Neighbor's House
Bieber has give us a wealth of entertainment, from posting naked butt selfies on Instagram with the caption "Look" to having his pet monkey detained on tour. But one of his shining moments was when Bieber got in trouble for egging his neighbor's house (which TMZ called a "vicious egg attack"). In 2014, Bieber pelted a nearby house in Calabasas with eggs, infuriating the community after months of drag racing, loud parties, and generally being an annoying youth. Seriously, though, who eggs a house after age 12?
When Michael Jackson Held a Baby Off a Balcony
Before Bieber there was Michael Jackson, the late star whose antics were, obviously, closely watched and judged for years. In 2002, the late musician dangled his nine-month-old son, Prince Michael II (aka "Blanket"), over a hotel balcony in Berlin in an attempt to connect with the waiting fans below. The move backfired–obviously–and when photos emerged in the press there was concern for Jackson's childcare competence. Jackson was forced to issue an apology, saying, "I offer no excuses for what happened. I got caught up in the excitement of the moment. I would never intentionally endanger the lives of my children." Of course, that didn't stop U.K. newspaper Daily Mirror from using the headline "Mad Bad Dad."
When Lady Gaga Wore a Meat Dress
In 2010, Lady Gaga arrived at the MTV Video Music Awards wearing the insides of a cow draped across her body and head. The now-infamous meat dress, designed by Franc Fernandez and styled by Nicola Formichetti, was created out of raw beef and included a meat purse, which Gaga had to ask Cher to hold when she accepted an award later in the evening. The singer told Ellen DeGeneres of her inspiration, "As you know, I am the most judgment- free human being on the earth. However, it has many interpretations but for me... if we don't stand up for what we believe in and if we don't fight for our rights pretty soon we're going to have as much rights as the meat on our bones." Sure.
When Miley Cyrus Dueted With Robin Thicke
Remember that time Miley Cyrus twerked with Robin Thicke on stage in front of America? Remember how grossed out you felt? Yeah. In the midst of a lot of high-profile moments from Cyrus, this one really stands out. It's even grosser when you realize that Thicke tried to shame Cyrus after the fact, pretending that he didn't know it was going to happen and that he wasn't into it. Cyrus said in an interview, "He was actually the one that approved my outfit, so I thought that was very funny. He wanted me as naked as possible, because that's how his video was. It was very much a collaboration." Maybe let's not collaborate with guys like Thicke again in the future, though.
When Rihanna Posted Literally Anything on Instagram
What hasn't Rihanna posted on her Instagram feed? The pop singer has offered naked pics, photos of her inhaling enormous joints, shots of her getting a lap dance from a stripper, and one amazing image of her standing in a pile of money. She obviously has no filter (besides those offered by Instagram) and we love her for it. Because Rihanna is so upfront about who she is–a pot-smoking nudist, apparently–there are very few aspects of her life open to public scrutiny. We don't have to wait for her to do something crazy because she's already done it and posted it on social media and owned it.
When Mariah Carey Went Insane on 'TRL'
In 2001, Mariah Carey made a surprise visit to Total Request Live, wearing a skimpy outfit and generally seemingly totally nonsensical. She pretended to strip, handed out some ice cream, and then told host Carson Daly, "All I know is I just want one day off when I can go swimming and look at rainbows and, like, eat ice cream. And maybe, like, learn how to ride a bicycle." (What?) A few days later the popstar checked into the hospital for "extreme exhaustion," giving some sense to the bizarre encounter. It was one of those TV clips you just can't fake–even in a comedy film.
When Fiona Apple Declared Bullshit on the World of Showbiz
Back in 1997, MTV awarded Fiona Apple a VMA for her video for "Criminal." The musician, then unabashedly a '90s popstar despite seeming alternative now, thanked some people and referenced Maya Angelou before offering a strange tirade. This world is bullshit," she said, unexpectedly, "and you shouldn't model your life about what you think that we think is cool, and what we're wearing and what we're saying and everything. Go with yourself." Good advice and one example of a musician's strange moment becoming a poignant one.
When Kanye West Said That Thing About George W. Bush
Kanye West has done hundreds of things that belong on this list (seriously, hundreds). But he hit peak Kanye in 2005 during the televised benefit "A Concert for Hurricane Relief." As he was presenting, West went off script and said, "George Bush doesn't care about black people." The statement has had lasting resonance and even Bush discussed it in a 2010 interview, saying, "I resent it, it's not true, and it's one of the most disgusting moments of my presidency." West has since expressed regret for the comment (as he did for interrupting Taylor Swift onstage during the VMAs) but it's still the most memorable thing he's ever said.
When Ashlee Simpson Didn't Sing on 'SNL'
Poor Ashlee Simpson. Not only was the popstar's career pretty short-lived, but she has never lived down her Saturday Night Live performance from 2004 where she was caught lip-syncing the words to her single "Pieces of Me." The cringe-worthy moment lasted only a few minutes as Simpson immediately realized that she'd been caught in the act and left the stage as SNL cut to commercial. Worse yet: She blamed her band for the mishap. Eventually the singer (sort of) admitted to the fault, saying, "So many artists do that. Of course the first time I do it… I'll never do it again!"
