Forget red carpets, trophies, and standing ovations there is one awards list no celebrity ever wants to appear on. Welcome to the 2025 Bad Manners Awards, where bad behavior, poor judgment, and social missteps take center stage.
As an etiquette expert who has spent years studying decorum, protocol, and public conduct sometimes even advising major productions on historical manners I have watched with growing disbelief as some of the world’s most influential figures repeatedly forgot the basics of courtesy this year. Fame may bring wealth, power, and influence, but it does not excuse arrogance, entitlement, or emotional immaturity.
Over the past twelve months, pop stars, actors, athletes, television personalities, and even those adjacent to royalty have displayed behavior that can only be described as graceless. Public figures shape cultural norms, whether they intend to or not, and when they behave poorly, it sends the message that rudeness is acceptable 甚至 admirable.
So, without further ado, here are the standout recipients of the 2025 Bad Manners Awards.
Millie Bobby Brown: When Frustration Turns Public
At just 21 years old, Millie Bobby Brown has already achieved extraordinary success. With fame, however, comes responsibility particularly in public-facing professional environments such as red carpets.
In November, Brown made headlines after snapping at a photographer during a film premiere. When prompted to smile, she responded sharply, wagging her finger and firing back with visible irritation.
While many women understandably bristle at being told to smile, red carpet events are not casual encounters they are carefully controlled, mutually beneficial professional engagements. Actors receive promotion and visibility; photographers receive images that fuel coverage. The system itself may deserve critique, but directing frustration at an individual doing their job is misplaced.
Etiquette teaches emotional restraint. Grace under pressure is not weakness; it is professionalism. Brown’s reaction, though relatable to some, lacked the polish expected of someone occupying such a prominent platform.
Lily Allen When Honesty Becomes Indiscretion
Lily Allen’s return to music in 2025 was undeniably powerful. Her deeply personal album chronicling the breakdown of her marriage struck a chord with listeners. Vulnerability can be moving but there is a line between artistic expression and public airing of private grievances.
Across multiple tracks, Allen offered explicit details about her former relationship, naming habits, behaviors, and deeply personal discoveries. Rather than introspection, the album often sounded like a public indictment.
From an etiquette standpoint, discretion is a cornerstone of maturity. Sharing private matters especially those involving another person without restraint crosses into disrespect. Personal pain does not grant license to publicly dismantle another’s dignity.
What happens behind closed doors should, in most cases, remain there. Once personal grievances are broadcast to the world, they can never be taken back.
Mohamed Salah: Privilege Without Perspective
Mo Salah’s footballing achievements are undeniable. He is celebrated globally, admired by fans, and compensated accordingly. That context matters especially when speaking publicly.
After a recent draw, Salah voiced complaints about his treatment at his club, stating he felt “thrown under the bus” and disconnected from management. While athletes are entitled to feelings, airing grievances without perspective can appear tone-deaf.
Public complaining, particularly from someone earning astronomical wages during a cost-of-living crisis, reflects a lack of humility. Gratitude and empathy are fundamental components of good manners.
Etiquette reminds us to read the room. Millions would gladly trade places with someone earning in a week what many earn in a lifetime. Complaints voiced without awareness can alienate rather than inspire.
Meghan and Harry Privacy Selectively Applied
Few couples command attention like the Duke and Duchess of Sussex. Despite ongoing appeals for privacy, 2025 saw the pair more visible than ever through streaming projects, interviews, and high-profile appearances.
Their attendance at a lavish celebrity birthday party raised eyebrows when reports surfaced that they requested photos featuring them be removed from social media afterward. Expecting privacy at a heavily documented event hosted by some of the most photographed individuals in the world is unrealistic.
Etiquette dictates that hospitality deserves respect. Accepting an invitation while attempting to control others’ public expression afterward smacks of entitlement. Privacy cannot be selectively enforced only when convenient.
Gracious guests adapt to the environment they do not attempt to rewrite the rules after benefiting from the invitation.
Stacey Solomon The Art of Losing Gracefully
Stacey Solomon is widely loved for her warm, relatable persona. That image faltered this year following her reaction to losing at a major awards ceremony.
Although she initially congratulated the winners, she later posted emotional complaints online, expressing devastation and frustration at the judging process. While disappointment is natural, public venting undermines the spirit of fair competition.
Good manners require grace in defeat. Applause should be sincere, smiles genuine, and criticism reserved for private reflection not social media outbursts.
Awards are subjective. When frustration becomes public spectacle, it shifts attention away from those who earned recognition and reframes the moment around personal grievance.
Lauren Sánchez: Dressing for the Occasion Matters
Lauren Sánchez made headlines after wearing a revealing outfit to a highly formal political inauguration. While fashion is a form of expression, etiquette emphasizes situational awareness.
Certain occasions demand restraint not because individuality should be suppressed, but because respect for the event outweighs personal visibility. Drawing attention away from the purpose of a historic ceremony reflects a lack of emotional intelligence.
True elegance often lies in knowing when to stand out and when to step back.
Why Manners Still Matter
Etiquette is not about rigid rules or outdated traditions. It is about empathy, respect, and awareness of others. In a world increasingly driven by self-promotion, good manners serve as a quiet but powerful counterbalance.
Public figures are watched, mimicked, and celebrated. When they behave with grace, they elevate culture. When they do not, they normalize entitlement.
The Bad Manners Awards are not about condemnation, but correction. A reminder that elegance, humility, and consideration never go out of style no matter how famous you are.
As we move into a new year, one hopes that celebrities and civilians alike remember: kindness costs nothing, humility is timeless, and true class is always noticed.