Everyone has disagreements, but when celebrities clash, the world takes notice. From old Hollywood rivalries to modern reality TV showdowns, some feuds have lasted for decades, shaping careers and fueling endless speculation. Whether it’s music legends trading insults or co-stars turning into enemies, these conflicts often play out in interviews, award shows, and even song lyrics.
Hollywood’s history is filled with bitter rivalries, some rooted in professional jealousy, others in personal betrayals. While social media has made feuds more public than ever, some of the most intense grudges date back long before the internet.
Here’s a look at some of the most memorable celebrity conflicts over the years.
Vin Diesel vs. Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson
The “Fast & Furious” franchise is all about family, but things weren’t so harmonious between Vin Diesel and Dwayne Johnson. Their feud became public in 2016 when Johnson called some of his male co-stars “unprofessional” in an Instagram post.
While Johnson never named Diesel directly, speculation ran wild. Diesel later claimed he used “tough love” as a producer to push Johnson’s performance, a statement Johnson dismissed as “bulls—.”
Despite the tension, Johnson made a surprise return to the franchise in 2023, hinting that their feud might be ending. However, their awkward exchange at the Golden Globes suggested otherwise.
Elton John vs. Madonna
Elton John and Madonna were once friendly, but that changed in the early 2000s. The tension started when John criticized Madonna’s Bond theme, “Die Another Day,” saying it “had no tune.” He later escalated the feud at the 2004 Q Awards, where he dismissed her as a “lip-syncing” performer.
Over the years, John continued taking jabs at Madonna, especially after she criticized Lady Gaga’s song “Born This Way.” In response, John called Madonna’s Golden Globe-winning song “Masterpiece” a “joke” and claimed she had “no chance” of winning. Ironically, she did.
Despite years of public insults, their feud may have cooled. In 2023, John publicly thanked Madonna for her advocacy in the fight against AIDS. Whether the rivalry is truly over remains uncertain.
Mariah Carey vs. Jennifer Lopez
Mariah Carey’s now-iconic phrase, “I don’t know her,” became one of the most famous celebrity dismissals of all time. But the origins of her feud with Jennifer Lopez go back to the early 2000s.
The conflict allegedly began when Sony executive Tommy Mottola, Carey’s ex-husband, helped Lopez release a song that featured a sample Carey had planned to use. Around the same time, Lopez collaborated with Ja Rule, a move that mirrored Carey’s own musical style.
Although Carey never publicly attacked Lopez directly, she repeatedly denied knowing her, fueling speculation about lingering tension. Over the years, Lopez has downplayed any animosity, but Carey’s reluctance to acknowledge her suggests otherwise.
Kim Cattrall vs. Sarah Jessica Parker
Fans of “Sex and the City” may have adored the friendship between Carrie Bradshaw and Samantha Jones, but off-screen, it was a different story.
Tensions between Kim Cattrall and Sarah Jessica Parker surfaced when Cattrall openly discussed salary disputes and her decision to step away from the franchise. In 2017, Cattrall publicly accused Parker of being “not nice” and claimed they were never friends.
The situation worsened when Cattrall criticized Parker’s public condolences after her brother’s passing, calling them “insincere.” Although Cattrall briefly returned for a cameo in “And Just Like That”, she made it clear that she had no intention of working with Parker again.
Patti LuPone vs. Andrew Lloyd Webber
Few Broadway feuds have been as intense as the one between Patti LuPone and Andrew Lloyd Webber. Their conflict began in the 1990s when LuPone was set to star in “Sunset Boulevard” on Broadway. However, she found out through tabloids that she had been replaced by Glenn Close.
Feeling betrayed, LuPone sued Lloyd Webber and won a substantial settlement. She even used the money to build a pool, which she humorously named the “Andrew Lloyd Webber Memorial Pool.”
Despite performing one of his most famous songs at the 2018 Grammys, LuPone later referred to Lloyd Webber as a “narcissistic, insecure man.” Even after attending a revival of “Sunset Boulevard” in 2023, she avoided mentioning his name, signaling that the grudge remains.
Chrishell Stause vs. Tom Sandoval
Reality television is no stranger to drama, and the tension between Chrishell Stause and Tom Sandoval is proof.
After Sandoval’s cheating scandal on “Vanderpump Rules”, Stause, a close friend of Ariana Madix, openly expressed her disdain. When both were cast in “Traitors”, Stause refused to engage with him, leaving him out of her social media posts and bluntly stating, “I hate him.”
Her hostility toward Sandoval has been evident throughout the show, making it one of reality TV’s most current and intense rivalries.
Henry Winkler vs. Tom Hanks
Two of Hollywood’s most likable actors, Henry Winkler and Tom Hanks, have had a long-standing rift dating back to the 1980s.
The dispute began when Winkler was hired to direct “Turner & Hooch,” a film starring Hanks. However, just 13 days into filming, Winkler was fired, reportedly due to creative differences with Hanks.
Although Winkler has played down the feud in recent years, his comments suggest lingering resentment. Whether the two have truly reconciled remains unclear.
The Art of Holding a Grudge
Celebrity feuds captivate audiences, offering a mix of drama, rivalry, and unexpected twists. Some grudges dissolve with time, while others seem destined to last forever.
Whether it’s a decades-old dispute or a fresh reality TV conflict, Hollywood’s most famous rivalries prove that in the world of fame, some wounds never fully heal.