For a celebrity, their image is vital. If a famous person's reputation is tarnished, they're less likely to get work or be popular. At least that's what we'd think. Surprisingly, people don't really care about celebrity scandals. 50% of Americans remain indifferent to celebrity controversies; in fact, 20% would consume more of their work despite the controversy.
However, while some scandals are earned and are a result of a celebrity miscalculating their star power, others are totally undeserved. For example, we reflect differently on Britney Spears' so-called meltdown in 2007. What back then looked like entertainment today seems like gross exploitation of a young woman during a vulnerable time.
People nowadays have more perspective and compassion for famous people. So, when one netizen asked, "What celebrity downfall did you actually feel bad for?" people named many celebs whose careers got derailed for no justifiable reason.