Celebrity scandals no one was expecting

With so many scandals dominating today's tabloids, it takes something truly shocking to happen in Hollywood for us to be caught off guard. Such was the case for these stories, which touch upon everything from hookers, to extortion attempts and, yes, even shoplifting. Relive these jaw-dropping moments with us now, won't you?


David Letterman's $2 Million Extortion Scandal

The revelation that talk-show host David Letterman was the target of a $2 million extortion plot over allegations that he had affairs with female staff members was shocking in itself. But it was the way in which Letterman revealed the scandal that made it truly jaw-dropping. On October 1, 2009, Letterman spent over 10 minutes on the Late Show discussing the details of the extortion attempt, all of which were previously unknown to the public. In fact, the audience at that night's taping was so surprised by Letterman's candor, they spent the first few minutes laughing, as if it were some sort of joke. In 2015, in the run up to Letterman's retirement, the now-68-year-old host admitted to the New York Times he thought the incident would get him fired.

Tiger Woods' Many, Many Affairs

On November 25, 2009, The National Enquirer reported that pro-golfer Tiger Woods had been cheating on his wife, Elin Nordegren. Two nights later, at around 2:30 AM, Woods crashed his car outside his Florida home, reportedly after a dispute with Nordegren. From there, all hell broke loose, as more and more stories of Woods' alleged philandering hit the tabloids. Some tabloids reported that Woods had slept with—wait for it—around 120 women during the course of his marriage.) Naturally, Nordegren filed for divorce, which was finalized in December 2010.


Brad Pitt Leaves Jennifer Aniston For Angelina Jolie

Brad Pitt and Jennifer Aniston were one of Hollywood's most beloved and respected couples. That's why so many jaws dropped when word got out that they were separating less than five years into their marriage. Although it took a couple of months, the tabloids eventually linked Pitt to his Mr. & Mrs. Smith costar, Angelina Jolie, launching an unrelenting tabloid saga that continues to this day. At first, Pitt and Jolie were adamant that they did not hook up until after Pitt and Aniston separated. Naturally, nobody believed them.

Arnold Schwarzenegger Fathers A Child With His Housekeeper

In May 2011, Arnold Schwarzenegger and Maria Shriver shocked millions when they announced their marriage was ending after 25 years. A few days later, everything became clear: according to a report from The Los Angeles Times, Schwarzenegger had fathered a son with a member of his household staff (later identified as Mildred Baena) a few years before he ran for Governor of California. In a statement released to the Times, Schwarzenegger confirmed the reports, saying he told Shriver about the event after his two-term stint as Governor had ended in January of that year. "I understand and deserve the feelings of anger and disappointment among my friends and family," Schwarzenegger said. "There are no excuses and I take full responsibility for the hurt I have caused. I have apologized to Maria, my children, and my family. I am truly sorry."

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