Celebrities Who Cut Ties With Their Family Members, and the Reasons Behind It

Rihanna

Rihanna’s estrangement from her father, Ronald Fenty, stems from his drug addiction, abuse of her mother, and multiple betrayals. She once said, “Like, what do I even mean to him?” In 2019, she even sued him for using the family name in business without her permission.

Kate Hudson

Kate Hudson has long considered Kurt Russell her true father, not biological dad Bill Hudson. In 2015, Bill disowned both Kate and her brother Oliver, saying they were “dead to me.” Kate responded with compassion, saying forgiveness, not bitterness, was her goal.

Jennifer Aniston

Jennifer Aniston’s difficult relationship with her mother, Nancy Dow, was so public that Dow even wrote a tell-all memoir about it. Aniston described her mom as “critical” and “unforgiving.” Although they reconciled before Dow’s death in 2016, Aniston admitted the tension haunted much of her life.

Cole Sprouse

In 2023, Cole Sprouse opened up about being estranged from his mother, Melanie Wright. “My mother was, still is, the tortured artist type,” he explained, noting her battles with addiction and narcissism. Courts eventually awarded custody to his father, Matthew Sprouse, whom Cole calls “an incredible guy.” Still, he admits his mother’s behavior left lasting scars.

Macaulay Culkin

One of Hollywood’s most famous child stars, Macaulay Culkin endured years of alleged abuse from his father, Kit Culkin. “Do good or I’ll hit you,” Kit would warn, according to Culkin. At 14, Macaulay sued his parents to gain control of his earnings. He later said his father’s jealousy fueled much of their conflict: “Everything he tried to do in life, I excelled at before I was 10.”

Jennette McCurdy

Former ‘iCarly’ star Jennette McCurdy revealed in her bestselling memoir ‘I’m Glad My Mom Died’ that her mother was emotionally abusive, forced her into acting, and introduced her to eating disorders. Their toxic relationship shaped much of her early life and career until her mother’s passing in 2013.

Ariel Winter

Far from her ‘Modern Family’ character’s cozy home life, Ariel Winter fought for emancipation from her mother, Crystal Workman, citing physical and emotional abuse. At 17, she was legally freed, crediting her sister Shanelle Workman as her biggest support system. “It’s been much better for me emotionally and physically,” Ariel said.

Brie Larson

Brie Larson hasn’t spoken to her father, Sylvain Desaulniers, in years. After her parents divorced when she was seven, she quickly cut ties. “I don’t think he ever really wanted to be a parent,” she told Elle. She’s since admitted the absence shaped her independence.

Dwayne Johnson

Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson has often spoken about his “complicated relationship” with late father Rocky Johnson. In a 2023 Father’s Day post, he admitted they had fought a month before his dad’s sudden death. “I never reconciled with him or even had a chance to say goodbye,” he wrote, urging fans to make peace with their fathers before it’s too late.

Kelly Rowland

Destiny’s Child singer Kelly Rowland didn’t meet her biological father until she was 30. Their reunion in 2018 was emotional, with Rowland admitting she carried feelings of abandonment for years. But forgiveness changed everything: “Since this time, we have spoken every day,” she revealed, calling their relationship one of her life’s most “pivotal moments.”

Demi Lovato

Demi Lovato’s father, Patrick, was abusive and largely absent. When he died in 2013, Lovato felt conflicted. “He was mean, but he wanted to be a good person,” they shared. Years later, Lovato wrote him a gratitude letter to find closure, finally freeing themselves of “daddy issues.”

Matthew McConaughey

At the height of his fame, McConaughey cut off his mother for eight years after she leaked private details to the press. “Mother wasn’t answering the phone. A fan of my fame was answering the phone,” he said. The two eventually reconciled in 2004.

Kristin Cavallari

Kristin Cavallari has been brutally honest about her father. “My dad is a narcissist. Typical narcissist. It really is disgusting,” she said on ‘Bunnie XO’s Dumb Blonde’ podcast. She cut him out of her life entirely, calling it the “best thing I’ve ever done.” Cavallari also revealed her childhood was marked by divorce, stepfamily struggles, and sexual trauma.

Keanu Reeves

When Keanu Reeves was just three, his father, Samuel Nowlin Reeves Jr., left the family. By 13, Keanu and his siblings were completely cut off. “I think it’s definitely traumatizing,” he told The Guardian. Samuel briefly reached out in the mid-1990s, but Reeves never responded. “I just didn’t,” he said simply. Samuel passed away in 2018, leaving their relationship unresolved.

Eminem

Eminem has long rapped about his absent father, Marshall Bruce Mathers Jr. Though his dad once tried reaching out through an open letter, the rapper refused. “If my kids moved to the edge of the Earth, I would find them,” Eminem told 60 Minutes. “No money, no nothing—I would find my kids.”