Miley Cyrus, Brad Pitt, and more — surprising list of celebs banned from various countries

While many celebrities enjoy a worldwide status of fame and adoration, there have been a few times when the rich and the privileged have found that their global reach does not transcend the law of the land.

Several celebrities have found themselves on the wrong side of international authorities and have subsequently been banned from entering certain countries.

Here are some of the most shocking such names:

Miley Cyrus

Miley Cyrus was served a territory ban by China for her involvement in a racially offensive incident.

She was banned by the East Asian state due to posing for a picture with racist undertones, back in 2009.

The Wrecking Ball singer featured in a photograph doing the offensive “slant eyed” gesture, greatly unsettling Asian groups.

Following the snap becoming public, executive director of the Washington based organisation OCA-Asian Pacific American Advocates, George Wu said, “The photograph of Miley Cyrus and other individuals slanting their eyes currently circulating the internet is offensive to the Asian Pacific American community and sets a terrible example for her many young fans.”

Miley Cyrus was effectively banned from entering China the same year, with Chinese foreign minister at the time, Yang Jiechi, stating, “Miss Cyrus has made it clear she is no friend of China or anyone of East Asian descent. We have no interest in further polluting our children’s minds with her American ignorance.”

Selena Gomez

Miley’s fellow former Disney alum, Selena Gomez was also banned by China.

In April 2016, the Love You Like a Love Song singer announced two concert stops in the country, as part of her Revival tour.

However, the gigs, which were scheduled for August that year, were eventually cancelled after the country served the songstress with a ban following her photograph with the Dalai Lama going public.

Notably, the Chinese republic and Dalai Lama have been at odds for years due to the Buddhist leader’s efforts to validate Tibetan autonomy, an area which has been disputed due to China’s assertion of control over it.

While Selena Gomez posted her picture with the spiritual master in 2014, it was evident that for Chinese authorities, the wound was still as new even two years later.

Brad Pitt

Long before Miley and Selena, China claimed yet another celebrity to join their increasingly less tolerable list of bans — Hollywood icon, Brad Pitt.

Pitt’s ban from the socialist republic came after his appearance in the 1997 war film, Seven Years in Tibet.

As mentioned above, the ban came into action due to China’s long term animosity with Tibet and the issue of the region’s independence.

Despite the ban, the Oscar winning star confirmed a trip to the country in 2013 — interestingly enough, via his official account on China’s version of Twitter, Sina Weibo.

Brad Pitt eventually went to China in 2016, for promotion of his movie, Allied, which came out the same year.

Lady Gaga

The multi hyphenated artist, Lady Gaga was served a ban from Indonesia in 2012.

At the time when the vocalist was often criticised, even by Western institutions, and accused of promoting religiously controversial content through her work, Indonesia cancelled her concerts due to threats of disruption from the country’s Islamic Defenders Front (FPI).

She eventually canceled her appearance in Indonesia, with her shows’ promoter in the country, Minola Sebayang, telling the press, “This is not only about Lady Gaga’s security, but extends to those who will be watching her.”

While the FPI’s statement rather bluntly revealed, “FPI is grateful that she has decided not to come. Indonesians will be protected from sin brought about by this Mother Monster, the destroyer of morals. Lady Gaga fans, stop complaining. Repent and stop worshipping the devil. Do you want your lives taken away by God as infidels?”

Lady Gaga posted her response via Twitter at the time, writing, “There is nothing holy about hatred. We had to cancel the concert in Indonesia. I’m so very sorry to the fans & just as devastated as you if not more.”

Sacha Baron Cohen

As a comedian and actor famous for pushing boundaries (and often buttons), Sacha Baron Cohen was banned from Kazakhstan following the release of his movie, Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan.

The film featured his infamous journalist character Borat, a Kazakh native, as the plot included many offensive stereotypes aimed at the Central Asian country.

However, in 2020, Kazakhstan hinted at the ban’s reversal by adopting Borat’s memorable catchphrase, “Very nice!”, for a travel ad campaign.

After the commercial was aired, Sacha Baron Cohen showed his appreciation for the country in an interview with The Times.

“This is a comedy, and the Kazakhstan in the film has nothing to do with the real country. The real Kazakhstan is a beautiful country with a modern, proud society — the opposite of Borat’s version,” he said.

Despite these developments, the actor and comedian’s ban was not lifted, especially due to the release of a Borat sequel in 2020.

Moreover, the Kazakh American Association even signed an open letter, urging award institutions in the US to boycott the film, once it became open for awards season consideration.

“Our people report countless cases of sexual and physical harassment as well as bullying due to the Borat franchise,” part of the letter read.

Snoop Dogg

The famous rapper, partly notorious for his weed smoking persona, was appropriately banned from Norway due to smuggling illegal drugs into the country.

In June 2012, the rapper and record producer was served a two year ban after attempting to smuggle eight grams of marijuana into Norway.

He was arrested at the airport while he was on his way to perform at a music festival in Southern Norway.

Snoop Dogg was subsequently fined $8,600 for his drug filled misdemeanour.