Introduction

When relationships dissolve in the limelight, fans often witness dramatic exchanges fueled by heartbreak, anger, and sometimes a healthy dose of humor. Here are 33 memorable instances where celebrities decided to publicly shade their exes, reminding us that fame does not shield one from the emotional fallout of love gone wrong.

1. Kelly Clarkson

Kelly Clarkson and Brandon Blackstock’s split in 2020 was fraught with legal disputes. During a performance on her talk show, Clarkson cleverly altered the lyrics of Gayle's "ABCDEFU" to express her feelings: “Forget you and your dad and the fact that you got half / And my broken heart, turn that shit into art.” This line was a direct hit at her ex and his family.

2. Playful YouTube Video

While promoting her Christmas album, she shared a playful YouTube video showing stockings over a fireplace labeled with her children’s names, alongside one amusingly tagged “Nope,” seemingly in reference to Blackstock, epitomizing her newfound freedom.

3. Pete Davidson's Engagement

In another high-profile breakup, Pete Davidson found himself at odds with ex-fiancée Ariana Grande mere weeks after their whirlwind engagement. Davidson poked fun at his quick proposal by pretending to propose to another guest on SNL. Grande's swift comeback included a pointed tweet about relevancy, quipping, “For someone who hates relevancy you sure love clinging to it.”

4. Comedy Special Remarks

Davidson later fired back during his 2020 comedy special, addressing Grande’s remarks and comparing her media portrayal to his own. He criticized her for discussing their relationship publicly rather than in private conversations.

5. Selena Gomez's Advice

Selena Gomez and Justin Bieber had an on-and-off relationship that was notoriously public. After Bieber posted a photo with Sofia Richie, Gomez cheekily advised him to keep his romance private if he couldn't handle the backlash, saying, “If you can't handle the hate, then stop posting pictures of your girlfriend.”

6. Katy Perry's Ratings

Katy Perry rated ex-boyfriend Diplo poorly during a livestream with James Corden, leading to his comical rebuttal: “I don't even remember having sex.” Perry also called out ex-husband Russell Brand for his controlling behavior, criticizing the disparity between his words and actions.

7. Seal and Heidi Klum's Divorce

Seal and Heidi Klum’s divorce sparked allegations about Klum's fidelity. Seal publicly lamented their co-parenting challenges, indicating a lack of teamwork in their relationship post-split. Klum, on the other hand, dismissed his claims while maintaining that she never strayed during their marriage.

8. Taylor Swift's Breakup Anthem

Taylor Swift became synonymous with breakup anthems, particularly in her song “Dear John,” which many interpreted as a direct message to John Mayer. Mayer, perplexed by the song, described it as humiliating and criticized Swift for airing their private matters publicly.

9. Demi Lovato's Twitter Jab

Demi Lovato subtly shaded ex-fiancé Max Ehrich on Twitter, declaring, “My vibrator's better.” The comment came shortly after their engagement ended, reflecting a playful yet pointed jab.

10. Emily Ratajkowski's Critique

In a series of social media posts, Emily Ratajkowski appeared to critique ex-husband Sebastian Bear-McClard after their split, expressing her discontent indirectly through memes and tweets.

11. Kim Kardashian's Backlash

Kim Kardashian faced ongoing public backlash from ex-husband Kanye West (now Ye) after their separation, highlighting the difficulties of their shared life while offering candid insights into the impact of his remarks on their children.

12. Rihanna's Meme Confidence

Finally, Rihanna effortlessly claimed the crown for online shade with a meme stating, “None of my exes are married or in happy relationships, so it's safe to say that I wasn’t the problem,” showcasing her post-breakup confidence.

Conclusion

These examples remind us that even in the glamorous world of celebrity, breakups can be messy but also serve as moments of empowerment, wit, and sometimes humorous reflection. From song lyrics to social media digs, the shade thrown at exes can often reveal more about the artist than it does about the relationship itself. What about you? Which celebrity breakup comeback stands out to you? Let us know below!