20 Times Celebrities Called Out Their Toxic Exes In Public
Miley Cyrus
When Miley Cyrus dropped “Flowers” in early 2023, fans instantly clocked it as more than just a catchy self-love anthem. The song doubled as a pointed reply to her marriage with Liam Hemsworth, from the lyrics that mirrored Bruno Mars’ “When I Was Your Man,” to the Easter eggs in the video hinting at their rocky past.
Britney Spears
Cue early-aughts tabloid reels, then smash cut to 2023, where Britney finally tells her side in The Woman in Me. She alleges serial cheating, says he urged an abortion, and famously broke up with her via text, then used a Britney look-alike in “Cry Me a River” to seal a narrative that branded her “cheating” while he soared. Britney frames it as pain repackaged for his album’s “unfaithful woman” storyline, while she was “comatose in Louisiana.”
Selena Gomez
Back in 2016, Selena reminded the world she wasn’t afraid to clap back at Justin Bieber. When he started posting photos with Sofia Richie and scolding his own fans for being critical, Selena jumped into the comments. She defended his followers and suggested he was guilty of using her for attention. Bieber shot back with his own accusations, and suddenly a breakup that had already gone through endless headlines found new life in Instagram drama.
Denise Richards
Denise’s marriage to Charlie Sheen might have looked glamorous from the outside, but she’s since called it what it was: toxic. She revealed that things changed drastically once she became pregnant, and she eventually filed for divorce while carrying their second daughter. Denise admitted she shielded her children from the reality, telling them “Dad had to go to work” rather than exposing the chaos.
Rihanna
The Grammys were supposed to be a career high; instead, 2009 became a hard stop. Rihanna details a brutal assault, “no soul in his eyes”, that landed her in the hospital and rerouted both careers. Before she could testify, he pled guilty, got probation, counseling, community service, and a restraining order. There was a short-lived reconciliation, then a final, clean line, by 2015, she confirmed they weren’t even friends.
Nick Jonas
Swap the Disney smile for mini-emo energy, and Nick’s “S.O.S.” turns teen heartbreak into a group project (sorry, Kevin and Joe). He’s done with “awkward situations, empty conversations,” and, most iconic jab, her “crazy friends.” It’s neat, punchy, and delightfully literal, like reading the Notes app of a polite king finally losing patience.
Ed Sheeran
Imagine catching hotel-floor déjà vu and then setting it to a hook that won’t leave your head. Ed’s “Don’t” keeps it simple: he didn’t see the other guy as a threat, until she disappeared with him. The line about being on “the same f—ing hotel floor” is less a reveal than a movie close-up.
Ellie Goulding
Different pen, same hotel. Ellie’s answer track shrugs at the “mad love” label and coolly frames the fling as vibes-over-feelings: she liked his tattoos; he wanted her heart. She’s denied it’s about Ed, but the references do heavy lifting, say nothing, imply everything, and let pop detectives go feral.
Demi Lovato
Demi’s songs have chronicled multiple toxic romances, but 29 hit hardest. Widely read as a reflection on her relationship with Wilmer Valderrama, it raised questions about their age gap and power dynamics. With lines like “What the f–k’s consent?” Demi forced listeners to reconsider the relationship with a adult lens.
Carly Simon
Open with an eye-roll and a piano riff: Carly drops a forever-quote, “Warren thinks the whole thing is about him”, then confirms at least one verse is. The lyrics sting with Old Hollywood glamour gone sour: pretty-pair promises, a vow to never leave, and then, surprise, he leaves, along with things he loved (including her).
Shakira
Shakira’s BZRP Music Session #53 became a global sensation not just for its beat but for its blunt lyrics about Gerard Piqué. She accused him of leaving her with debt and paparazzi outside the door, while also taking aim at his new girlfriend: “You traded a Ferrari for a Twingo.”
Phoebe Bridgers
When Phoebe appeared on SZA’s Ghost in the Machine, fans zeroed in on lines that seemed aimed at Paul Mescal. Lyrics about screaming at him in the Ludlow and being his “for free” painted a picture of simmering resentment. Coming right as breakup rumors swirled, it was a reminder of how Bridgers’ talent for candid songwriting often doubles as a public airing of private pain.
Taylor Swift
Joe may always be remembered as the guy who broke up with Taylor in a 27-second phone call, but Taylor had the last word. Forever and Always called him out for running away “like a scared little boy.” Later, Mr. Perfectly Fine resurfaced and even Sophie Turner admitted it was a bop. Swifties saw it as proof; Taylor’s pen has always been sharper than any phone call.
Joe Jonas
Of course, Joe wasn’t silent. He and his brothers released Much Better, a thinly veiled response to Taylor. With lines about being “done with superstars” and a reference to her song Teardrops on My Guitar, Joe tried to reclaim the narrative. Whether fans believed him or not, it showed that even Jonas Brothers albums weren’t immune to the drama.
Miranda Lambert
Miranda’s Got My Name Changed Back is one of country’s most delightfully petty divorce songs. With lyrics about reclaiming her identity and throwing shade at “road whores,” it’s hard not to picture Blake Shelton squirming. Lambert turned a painful breakup into a heartbreaking declaration of survival.
Alanis Morissette
Few songs sting like Alanis’ You Oughta Know, and knowing it was about Dave Coulier only makes it more surreal. Lines about public trysts and bitter anger captured the fury of betrayal. The idea that “Uncle Joey” from Full House inspired one of the angriest breakup songs of the ’90s turned it into pop culture legend.
Katy Perry
Katy’s divorce from Russell Brand left its mark, and Part of Me became the soundtrack of her rebirth. The song’s lyrics about being chewed up, spit out, and ripped off carried more weight when fans realized they mirrored her failed marriage.
Kelsea Ballerini & Morgan Evans
Their split turned into a musical back-and-forth. Morgan’s Over For You cast him as blindsided by Kelsea’s decision, asking how long she’d been checked out. Kelsea answered with Blindsided and an entire EP, pointing out that the signs had been there all along. The result was less a he-said, she-said and more a country-pop duel that played out in real time.
Olivia Rodrigo & Joshua Bassett
When drivers license dropped, Olivia’s heartbreak over Joshua Bassett and his rumored relationship with Sabrina Carpenter was unmistakable. She followed it with good 4 u, dripping with sarcasm about how fast he moved on. Joshua responded with Crisis, Secret, and Set Me Free, insisting he loved her but was unfairly painted as the villain.
Perrie Edwards
After Zayn Malik called off their engagement, Perrie and her Little Mix bandmates dropped Shout Out to My Ex. The track is full of cheeky digs, including lines about fake love and hoping his new partner is getting physical pleasure. It was empowering, unapologetic, and instantly became a breakup anthem for fans worldwide.
