Being famous comes with a lot of benefits, including opportunities to travel all around the world, but it also means that there’s a higher level of scrutiny surrounding a celebrity’s behavior or political stance—and some countries are not having it.
Beyoncé
Banned from: Malaysia.
Malaysia has banned Bey for promoting “Western sexy performances.”
Chris Brown
Banned from: The UK and Australia.
Chris Brown isn’t allowed entry in these two countries because of his domestic violence conviction. Brown was found guilty of assaulting ex-girlfriend Rihanna.
Selena Gomez
Banned from: China and Russia.
Selena was banned from Russia for supporting LGBTQ rights. She was barred from entering China over a picture she took with the Dalai Lama.
Justin Bieber
Banned from: Argentina and China.
According to Time, Biebs allegedly assaulted a photographer in Argentina and disrespected the country’s flag during a concert. He’s also banned from China for being a “badly behaved entertainer.”
Brad Pitt
Banned from: China
Pitt is not allowed in China because of his movie ‘Seven Years in Tibet.’ The film depicts the 14th Dalai Lama in a positive way and shines a negative light on Communist military officers.
Lady Gaga
Banned from: Indonesia
The Muslim community in Indonesia barred Gaga from entering the country. The Islamic Defenders Front called her a “destroyer of morals.”
Miley Cyrus
Banned from: China and the Dominican Republic
Miley was banned from China for taking an offensive photo in which she’s squinting her eyes. She is also banned from performing in the Dominican Republic as her acts “go against morals and customs” in the country.
Akon
Banned from: Sri Lanka
The singer is banned from Sri Lanka because his ‘Sexy Chick’ video features a raunchy pool party in front of a Buddha statue.
Katy Perry
Banned from: China
Katy Perry has apparently been banned from China for wearing a Taiwanese flag during one of her concerts.
Kesha
Banned from: Malaysia
The pop star was banned from performing in Malaysia after authorities claimed her show would hurt cultural and religious sensitivities.
Mike Tyson
Banned from: New Zealand
The former boxer was denied entry into New Zealand for his 1992 rape conviction, according to The Guardian
Paris Hilton
Banned from: Japan
The Hilton heiress is not allowed in Japan because of her criminal record.
50 Cent
Banned from: Canada
The rapper was banned from Canada because of his criminal record and alleged violence-promoting lyrics.
Lily Allen
Banned from: United States
Even though the ban has since been lifted, the singer wasn’t allowed to enter the US in 2007 after she was arrested for hitting a paparazzi in London.