10Jeffree Star and Kanye West

The year 2021 brought together two of the greatest American pastimes: sex scandals and conspiracies. Social media users who were eager to share their knowledge started spreading rumours that the reason behind Kim Kardashian and Kanye West’s purported divorce was a turbulent romance between the rapper and beauty mogul Jeffree Star. It didn’t take long for online groups to start conjuring up speculations because both guys lived in Wyoming and, at one point, in the same neighbourhood in California. The singer himself responded to this conspiracy directly, refuting the claim in his statement. “Permit me to clarify this once. I enjoy tall dudes. Just to be clear, Kanye is only 5’8”.

9Kim Kardashian’s Sex Tape

Oprah’s Next Chapter: Kim Kardashian’s Biggest Regret: The Sex Tape | Oprah Winfrey Network

You must not be familiar with the Kardashian family if you believed that one sex scandal would be enough for any family. Kim Kardashian was barely noticeable on the social scene in Hollywood in the beginning of 2007—that is, until a now-famous sex tape was leaked online in March. Ms. Kardashian then catapulted herself into the stratosphere of reality television.

The Kardashians are currently among the most well-known families in the nation thanks to her mother’s assistance in running the family’s brands and careers. Although some people think that Kim Jenner’s mother, Kris Jenner, was the one who published the tape to boost her daughter’s career, there’s no denying that

8Pee Wee’s Big Cinematic Adventure

Right now, where are they? PEE-WEE HERMAN, played by Paul Reubens

Paul Ruebens, better known by his stage as Pee-Wee Herman, was arrested in July 1991 for indecent exposure in an adult theatre. Ruebens was most recognised for hosting a beloved children’s television show, therefore the arrest was much publicised. This scandal turned out to be unlike the others. Rallies were organised in favour of the actor rather than his banishment and social marginalisation. Although Ruebens readily admitted to being in the theatre that evening, he denied having done anything illegal.

The court then ordered him to perform community service and pay a fine. The actor wasn’t sentenced to prison for more sex offences until 2004; this time, the offence involved inappropriate content featuring kids. Ruebens agreed to a $1,000 fine, three years of probation, and registration on the sex offender list, claiming the disputed photos were a part of an artistic, historical collection.

7Arnold’s Secret Son

Arnold Schwarzenegger Interview on Affair with Maid, Maria Shriver and New Memoir

Although former California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger had been married to Maria Shriver for just over a decade, it made little difference to him. During his marriage and time in office, Mr. Terminator carried on with his family housekeeper, who would go on to have a son. This was kept quiet, even from his wife, for the duration of his tenure in office. It wasn’t long after leaving office that the LA Times dropped a scathing front-page article detailing the former Governors many indiscretions.

Schwarzenegger was apparently unaware of the paternity of the child. Upon discovering that he was the father, he began supporting the child financially. Both the article and the affair were the direct causes of Arnold’s divorce from Shriver. However, despite the scandal, public opinion of the bodybuilder and actor has changed little.

6Eliot Spitzer and the Emperor’s Club

Following our theme of the press outing illicit Gubernatorial activity, the downfall of former New York Governor Elliot Spitzer came at the hands of the New York Times. In 2008 the New York Times published an article detailing Spitzer’s outings with an expensive call girl from a prostitution ring called the “Emperor’s VIP Club.” At $1,000 an hour, these forays did not come cheap, both financially and professionally.

He spent a total of $15,000 over six months at this so-called club, according to the information procured by a wiretap placed by the federal government. To avoid impeachment, Spitzer resigned from his position as New York State Governor on March 17, 2008. The fallout from the “bust” of the Emperor’s Club was international. A member of the British Ministry of Defense, who was also connected to the ring, resigned

5John F. Kennedy and Marilyn Monroe

Happy Birthday, Marilyn Monroe, and “Thanks For The Memories” to President John F. Kennedy, 1962

The relationship between former President John F. Kennedy and Marilyn Monroe is arguably the most famous sex scandal in American history. The gossip about the Hollywood bombshell and the young, attractive president was highly anticipated by the American public. After Kennedy’s birthday was celebrated on television, the rumours really started to spread. Marilyn wore a white fur coat when she first appeared on stage, which she quickly took off to show a stunning gown. This dress was scandalously exposing at the time.

She sang a slow, sensual rendition of “Happy Birthday” to Mr. Kennedy (“Happy birthday, Mr. President”) after she had virtually stripped on stage. The American people were hooked after that. This revealed the sole known photo of the two together as well as what many believe to be hard proof of the claimed affair. Some claim it was impossible for the two to have an affair. Seldom were they recorded as being in the same place. Some dispute the idea that the affair was made up. There are many who claim that Monroe spoke with Jackie Kennedy’s wife about the affair.

Although Jackie was undoubtedly aware of JFK’s prior romances, it was the rumours of her husband’s affair with Monroe that truly disturbed her. Given her notoriety, if the relationship turned out to be real, it may destroy her family.

4Jerry Springer and His Bounced Check

While best known for his trash TV persona, Jerry Springer also had a political career—peppered with some questionable hobbies. In 1974, while on the Cincinnati City Council, Jerry frequented sex workers. *cue boos from the crowd* After a VICE investigation and a press release that alluded to an anonymous “Cincinnati politico,” Jerry shockingly resigned from his position. He essentially outed himself to the world. 

Jerry volunteered to testify in a Kentucky court, claiming that he was guilty of interacting with two women at two separate times, whose services he paid for with personal checks. Rumors have since flown that one of those checks bounced, adding insult to injury. Jerry denies these claims. I mean, come on, a bounced check? Please, stick with the sex workers. Jerry dealt with the aftermath quietly out of the political realm, but in a shocking move, ran to reclaim his seat on the council.

Jerry didn’t stop there. After regaining his seat on the city council in 1975, he ran for mayor and won that seat as well. In 1982, he won the race for Governor of Ohio. Perhaps it was this balance between his scandal and his ability to move and groove in the political scene in the aftermath that made him such an ideal talk-show host. Jerry went on to host the highly successful “The Jerry Springer Show” from 1991 to 2018.

3Tiger Woods and Many, Many Women

Tiger Woods: “I’m to Blame—I Cheated, I Had Affairs”

Golden Boy of Professional Golf Tiger Woods seemed to have everything. Extremely gifted, having a remarkably prosperous profession, several brand collaborations and endorsements, a loving family, and more… However, it was insufficient for the rising star. November 27, 2009, was the day his fortune fell apart. I take it that you have no idea what you have?

On this day, just after taking painkillers, Woods crashed his Escalade outside his house. The media began snooping around for a scandal after this crash. Look around, and you’ll soon discover that the professional athlete’s purported mistress was making voicemails and text messages available. But she wasn’t the only person to come out with claims of having an affair. Women who disclosed their identities ranged from waitresses and nightclub employees to adult film actors and models.

The once-respected golfer made an effort to handle the controversy behind closed doors, but he ultimately issued a number of statements in which he expressed regret for his behaviour and openly admitted his transgressions. In order to concentrate on counselling and mending his marriage, Woods eventually withdrew from his career and public attention, losing sponsorships and brand deals along the way. Although that was effective for a while, the pro and his spouse declared their divorce in 2010. Woods made a comeback to golf in that same year, but he never quite reached his pre-crash height again because of the injuries he had in the collision.

2NXIVM Cult or Self-Help Club?

The Lost Women of NXIVM: Rumors vs. Reality

NXIVM was originally founded in 1998 under the premise of being a self-help and fulfillment group for young, wealthy professionals. Touting secretive classes called “Executive Success Programs,” high-profile entrepreneurs, business people, and even children of political figures began flocking to the community. Using non-disclosure agreements, NXIVM was able to operate with utmost secrecy in terms of the content of its seminars and teachings.

It wasn’t until 2017 that allegations of an internal secret subsect called “Dominus Obsequious Sororium” surfaced. This internal group was comprised entirely of women. They were physically branded in a secret ceremony and operated under the premise that they were part of a mentorship program. The fake mentorship program’s premise was that senior women would take younger, dedicated female members under their wing. This was, in fact, a lie. The symbol branded onto these women’s skin was not simply a sign that they had been initiated, but rather the founder’s initials. This was unknown to the women involved at the time of their branding.

The women in the group were required to be on standby for founder Keith Raniere’s whims and desires. Some accusations against the group include weight requirements, sexual abuse, and waiting nude for the founder. They were made to film sexually explicit videos, and then the group held these videos against them as blackmail. Once exposed, Keith Raniere was arrested on charges of sex trafficking and sex trafficking conspiracy. They also snagged him for conspiracy to commit forced labor. He was sentenced to 120 years in prison for his crimes against women. NXIVM has since gone down in the books as one of America’s most notorious cults.

1Bill Clinton and Monica Lewinsky

The price of shame | Monica Lewinsky | TED

What would a list about sex scandals be if we left out the most famous sex scandal in American history? This scandal stands out against the political landscape because this is the first scandal where the Internet played a big role. Compared to today, the news was slower to circulate, and public opinion was relatively muted. But the Internet completely changed that.

Monica Lewinsky was a young intern serving in the Clinton administration. During this time, it became apparent that she was spending a great deal of time with the former president. As a result, she was transferred to work in the Pentagon. However, when Lewinsky began discussing her torrid affair with a coworker, that coworker began recording the conversations secretly (what a terrible confidante). They turned over the tapes to an investigator who was already working on a harassment case against the president. These tapes fueled media frenzy.

Once news broke, Clinton denied any affair with Lewinsky, famously stating, “I did not have sexual relations with that woman, Miss Lewinsky.” It wasn’t until he faced impeachment and was under oath that he readily admitted his wrongdoings. In the following years, Monica faced intense backlash and scrutiny from the public. She has since turned become an advocate against cyberbullying and harassment.

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