13 Times Celebrities Publicly Shaded Their Exes — and We Couldn’t Look Away

ENTERTAINMENT
By Emma Morris

When famous relationships end, the world watches closely. Sometimes celebrities don’t just move on quietly—they drop hints, write songs, or make comments that leave no doubt about how they really feel. From cryptic social media posts to full-blown diss tracks, these moments become instant headlines and give fans endless entertainment.

1. Taylor Swift on Joe Jonas

© CarlaVanWagoner / Shutterstock

Back in 2008, Taylor appeared on Ellen and casually dropped a bombshell: Joe Jonas ended their relationship with a brief 27-second phone call. She didn’t say his name right away, but fans connected the dots instantly.

Later, her song “Forever & Always” seemed to reference the split, cementing her status as someone who turns heartbreak into art. This moment kicked off a pattern that would define much of her early career.

It showed the world that Taylor wasn’t afraid to share her side of the story, even when it meant calling out an ex publicly.

2. Kanye West on Kim Kardashian

© Everett Collection / Shutterstock

Following their divorce, Kanye made headlines for his relentless social media activity. He posted cryptic messages, memes, and direct comments aimed at Kim and her then-boyfriend Pete Davidson.

His posts ranged from emotional pleas to outright insults, making their breakup one of the most public celebrity splits in recent years. Fans couldn’t stop watching as each new post appeared.

The drama became so intense that it dominated entertainment news for months. Kanye’s willingness to air everything online turned their private issues into a very public spectacle that nobody could ignore.

3. Ariana Grande on Pete Davidson

© Loredana Sangiuliano / Shutterstock

When Ariana’s whirlwind engagement to Pete ended, she didn’t stay quiet for long. Her hit song “Thank u, next” became an anthem, with Pete’s name literally listed among her exes.

She took complete control of the narrative, turning what could have been embarrassing into empowerment.

The whole situation became pop culture gold, with Ariana coming out looking strong and unbothered. She proved that the best revenge is success and a chart-topping single.

4. Miley Cyrus on Liam Hemsworth

© Phil Stafford / Shutterstock

After her 2019 divorce from Liam, Miley channeled her feelings into music. “Slide Away” came first, with lyrics that seemed to reference their relationship falling apart.

Then came “Flowers,” which fans immediately decoded as a response to Liam. The song’s release date, references, and lyrics all pointed directly at their marriage. Nothing about the timing felt coincidental.

Miley turned heartbreak into a celebration of self-love, and the song became a massive hit. She showed that moving on doesn’t mean staying silent—it can mean reclaiming your story through art.

5. Jennifer Lopez on Ben Affleck

© Phil Stafford / Shutterstock

After their 2004 split, J.Lo didn’t hold back in interviews. She described their relationship as “a circus,” making it clear that the constant media attention had taken its toll.

Her comments were measured but pointed, suggesting that Bennifer’s public nature contributed to their downfall. Though they eventually reunited years later, her early shade was unforgettable.

6. Britney Spears on Justin Timberlake

© Ga Fullner / Shutterstock

Justin’s “Cry Me a River” heavily implied that Britney had cheated, and for years, she stayed quiet. But decades later, Britney finally clapped back through Instagram posts that called out being “used” for publicity.

Her comments flipped the narrative that Justin had controlled for so long. Fans rallied behind her, seeing it as long-overdue justice after years of one-sided storytelling.

Sometimes the best shade comes after reflection and healing, not in the heat of the moment.

7. Gigi Hadid on Zayn Malik

© Ron Adar / Shutterstock

Gigi’s shade was subtle but effective. After their breakup, she liked and shared posts that hinted at Zayn’s behavior without naming him directly.

Fans quickly caught on, reading between the lines of her captions and tweets. Her social media activity spoke volumes without her having to say much at all. Sometimes, a well-placed like or a cryptic caption says everything you need to say, and Gigi mastered that art perfectly with grace.

8. Angelina Jolie on Brad Pitt

© IMDb

Angelina’s shade came through interviews and court documents rather than social media rants. She made pointed remarks about Brad’s parenting and behavior that didn’t need tabloid dramatics to land hard.

Her comments were calculated and delivered with the precision of someone who knows exactly what they’re doing. She controlled the narrative without appearing petty or emotional.

Angelina proved you can call someone out while maintaining dignity and staying focused on what matters most.

9. The Weeknd on Bella Hadid

© People.com

“Heartless” seemed to throw shade at Bella, with lyrics about returning to his “old ways” after their split. Fans immediately started analyzing every line for hidden meanings.

Multiple albums contained references that listeners believed pointed to their complicated on-again, off-again romance. He never confirmed it directly, but the timing and details were too specific to ignore.

10. Demi Lovato on Wilmer Valderrama

© People.com

Years after splitting from Wilmer, Demi released “29,” a song many interpreted as addressing their significant age gap. The lyrics questioned the dynamic of their relationship when it started.

Without naming Wilmer directly, Demi made the subject clear enough that fans understood immediately. The song felt like a reckoning with the past and a bold statement about power imbalances.

11. Katy Perry on John Mayer

© People.com

Katy called her relationship with John “a tortured soul” situation in interviews, making it clear the romance was emotionally exhausting. She didn’t sugarcoat how draining the experience had been.

Her song “Circle the Drain” appeared to reference the relationship’s toxic elements. The lyrics painted a picture of someone caught in an unhealthy dynamic they couldn’t escape easily.

12. Justin Bieber on Selena Gomez

© Debby Wong / Shutterstock

During their messy on-and-off phases, Justin posted cryptic Instagram captions that fans immediately recognized as digs at Selena. He even clapped back at fans who mentioned her in his comments.

Selena responded in her own ways, most notably through “Lose You to Love Me,” which seemed to address their relationship. Their back-and-forth played out publicly for years.

The whole situation became exhausting to watch but impossible to ignore. Both turned their drama into music and social media moments, showing how modern celebrity breakups unfold in real time online.

13. Shakira on Gerard Piqué

© People.com

Shakira didn’t just throw shade—she launched a full-scale musical assault. Her 2023 “BZRP Music Session #53” became an instant viral sensation, with devastating lyrics aimed directly at Piqué.

She compared herself to a Ferrari and his new girlfriend to a Twingo, a budget car. The line alone broke the internet, but the entire track was filled with cutting references to his behavior and her newfound independence.

The song dominated charts worldwide and became a breakup anthem for millions.