Social media was bigger than ever in 2015, and not always for the better.
Just like everyone else, Hollywood stars used social media to speak their minds. But unlike the average user, they had millions of followers reading what they wrote. Whether their social media rants changed things for the better or were simply full of hot air, they were nevertheless fun to follow.
From Taylor Swift‘s game-changing letter to Apple Music, to Donald Trump’s endless stream of angry tweets, see the nine best social media rants of 2015 below.
Taylor Swift vs. Apple Music
Pop megastar Taylor Swift single-handedly changed the music industry when her open letter to Apple convinced the company to reconsider its policy of not paying artists streaming revenue for music streamed during the free trial period.
“It’s not too late to change this policy and change the minds of those in the music industry who will be deeply and gravely affected by this,” she wrote. The company reversed its policy later that same day.
To Apple, Love Taylor http://t.co/GN9jiRkqlj
— Taylor Swift (@taylorswift13) June 21, 2015
Nicki Minaj vs. VMAs/Taylor Swift
When Nicki Minaj‘s “Anaconda” music video was snubbed by the MTV Video Music Awards for Video of the Year, the rapper didn’t hold back her criticism on Twitter, accusing the show of body shaming and racism, and of favoring videos by thin, white artists. Taylor Swift took the tweets as a personal attack, launching pop music’s biggest feud of 2015.
@NICKIMINAJ I’ve done nothing but love & support you. It’s unlike you to pit women against each other. Maybe one of the men took your slot.. — Taylor Swift (@taylorswift13) July 21, 2015
Stephen Amell vs. Stereotyping Texas
You don’t mess with Texas, at least not if Stephen Amell has anything to say about it. The “Arrow” star came to the state’s defense when he felt like it was getting a bad rap following the case of a 14-year-old Muslim boy who was unfairly arrested over a science project. The subsequent backlash was so intense, it drove Amell to take a hiatus from social media.
Stereotyping Texas isn’t any better than stereotyping Ahmed. Just so we’re clear.
— Stephen Amell (@amellywood) September 16, 2015
Zendaya vs. Giuliana Rancic
It was the borderline-racist joke heard around the world. When Giuliana Rancic made fun of Zendaya’s Oscar dreadlocks on E!’s “Fashion Police,” the Disney star came back with an Instagram post putting her in her place. The kerfuffle that followed resulted in the departure of Rancic, as well as co-hosts Kelly Osbourne and Kathy Griffin.
Kanye West vs. in-app purchases on kids games
Like a true dad, Kanye West struggles with technology and parental controls, a frustration he voiced online with an amusing series of tweets.
That makes no sense!!! We give the iPad to our child and every 5 minutes there’s a new purchase!!!
— KANYE WEST (@kanyewest) October 10, 2015
Meek Mill vs. Drake
Rapper Meek Mill kicked off a rap beef with Drake over the summer when he took to Twitter to claim that the Canadian rapper doesn’t write his own lyrics. Drake soon responded with the diss track “Charged Up,” a song Mill called “baby lotion soft.”
Stop comparing drake to me too…. He don’t write his own raps! That’s why he ain’t tweet my album because we found out! ???? — Meek Mill (@MeekMill) July 22, 2015
Chrissy Teigen vs. cereal shamers, “Arrow” actress Katie Cassidy, the media
“FABLife” host Chrissy Teigen has a prolific and outspoken social media preference, at various points throughout the year taking aim at Twitter users criticizing her eating habits, “Arrow” star Katie Cassidy and the media for killing comedy.
if you wanna give me unsolicited baby advice on the damn cereal I eat/what I wear u better unlock your profile so I can see your perfection — christine teigen (@chrissyteigen) October 29, 2015
Montel Williams vs. “bigot,” “scumbag” Josh Duggar
When the allegations of molestation against Josh Duggar were unearthed back in May, talk show host Montel Williams took to Twitter to voice his outrage. The multi-tweet tirade called Duggar a “scumbag” and “a world class bigot.”
Gosh, yet another anti-gay alleged “Christian” defender turns out to be a garden variety scumbag. https://t.co/C4gWWE0YnA — Montel Williams (@Montel_Williams) May 21, 2015
Patton Oswalt vs. Trevor Noah’s critics
Patton Oswalt, the king of Twitter outrage, took issue with the outrage over new “Daily Show” host Trevor Noah’s controversial jokes. In a 53-tweet dissection of a joke, the comedian demonstrated how any gag can be twisted to be offensive if you try hard enough.
(53/53) Also, the “come” part of “welcome” shouldn’t be construed in a “faggy” way.
— Patton Oswalt (@pattonoswalt) April 1, 2015
Rob Lowe vs. Francois Hollande
“The Grinder” star Rob Lowe took massive heat on Twitter after the terrorist attacks in Paris, when he voiced criticism of French president François Hollande. “This is either the worst translation of an important speech ever, or one of the worst ever given,” he wrote of the president’s speech declaring a state of national emergency.
Oh, NOW France closes its borders. #Hollande — Rob Lowe (@RobLowe) November 13, 2015
Donald Trump vs. everyone
Who didn’t Donald Trump take aim at on Twitter this year? With the heightened profile that comes with campaigning to be President of the United States, Trump had an endless number of people to blast on social media: Jeb Bush, Megyn Kelly and Fox News, to name a few.
Wow, @megynkelly really bombed tonight. People are going wild on twitter! Funny to watch. — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 7, 2015