1. Miley Cyrus and the Twerking Incident
At the 2013 MTV VMAs, Miley Cyrus reinvented herself from Disney Channel sweetheart to unapologetic pop provocateur. Her twerking against Robin Thicke during their performance of “Blurred Lines” instantly went viral. Critics slammed the act as tasteless, while others saw it as Miley taking control of her image. Either way, she dominated headlines for weeks.
That bizarre moment turned into one of the most talked-about performances of the decade. It not only introduced her “Bangerz” era but also rebranded her entirely. Love it or hate it, people stopped seeing her as Hannah Montana and started viewing her as a fearless pop star. The stunt may have been shocking, but it worked exactly as intended.
2. Britney Spears and the Snake at the VMAs
In 2001, Britney Spears cemented her pop culture legacy with a performance of “I’m a Slave 4 U” at the MTV Video Music Awards. She walked onto the stage with a massive albino Burmese python draped over her shoulders, instantly making headlines worldwide. The stunt shocked viewers, who weren’t expecting something so theatrical, even from the already daring pop star. It became one of the most replayed moments in VMA history.
This performance wasn’t just shocking—it solidified Britney’s status as the princess of pop who was willing to take risks. The image of her confidently dancing with the snake became a defining moment of her career. Even years later, when people think about iconic pop stunts, this one often comes first. It wasn’t about the song itself—it was about Britney creating a spectacle no one could forget.
3. Madonna’s Wedding Dress at the VMAs
Back in 1984, Madonna was still a rising star when she performed “Like a Virgin” at the very first MTV Video Music Awards. Wearing a wedding dress and rolling around on the stage floor, she pushed boundaries that mainstream audiences weren’t ready for. The stunt was provocative, messy, and unforgettable. Overnight, Madonna went from promising newcomer to full-blown superstar.
The moment made her reputation as a provocateur who wasn’t afraid of shocking viewers. It established a template she would return to throughout her career—always pushing limits in public. That VMA stunt is still considered one of the boldest debuts in music history. Without it, Madonna’s rise to pop dominance may have looked very different.
4. Lady Gaga and the Meat Dress
Lady Gaga had already made waves with her music by 2010, but her meat dress at the MTV Video Music Awards turned her into a household name beyond her fan base. The gown, made of raw beef, was equal parts disturbing and unforgettable. Some saw it as a political statement, while others thought it was pure shock value. Regardless, it had everyone talking.
The meat dress was so strange that it overshadowed almost everything else that night. Gaga was already known for her eccentric fashion, but this stunt redefined her as pop’s ultimate performance artist. The dress ended up in museums, showing just how far the conversation stretched. More than a decade later, people still reference it as one of pop culture’s weirdest moments.
5. Ashlee Simpson’s Lip-Sync Mishap
In 2004, Ashlee Simpson was set to perform on Saturday Night Live when a technical glitch exposed her lip-syncing. As the wrong vocal track played, she awkwardly did a little jig before the show cut to commercial. The bizarre incident instantly became a late-night punchline. For better or worse, it made her famous.
Instead of destroying her career, the stunt—though unintentional—gave Ashlee more visibility than she ever had before. People who hadn’t known her music suddenly recognized her name. She later joked about the mishap, but it stuck to her image permanently. It may not have been planned, but it was publicity all the same.
6. Janet Jackson’s Super Bowl “Wardrobe Malfunction”
In 2004, Janet Jackson shared the Super Bowl halftime stage with Justin Timberlake. During the finale, Timberlake tore part of her costume, briefly exposing her breast on live television. The stunt—or “wardrobe malfunction,” as it was branded—became one of the most controversial pop culture events of the decade. It sparked national debates and even led to changes in FCC regulations.
The scandal may have hurt Janet’s career in some ways, but it also cemented her place in music history. For months, everyone was talking about it, whether in outrage or fascination. The stunt overshadowed the music, but it put Janet back at the center of the pop conversation. It’s still one of the most infamous performances ever televised.
7. Katy Perry and the Left Shark
At the 2015 Super Bowl halftime show, Katy Perry shared the stage with backup dancers in shark costumes. One of them, later dubbed “Left Shark,” went viral for dancing offbeat and seemingly ignoring the choreography. Viewers were obsessed with the bizarre and hilarious performance mishap. Almost overnight, Left Shark became a meme sensation.
While Katy Perry had already been successful, the Left Shark stunt gave her cultural staying power. Everyone from late-night hosts to Halloween costume makers cashed in on the craze. The goofy moment overshadowed her set list, but it kept her at the center of conversation. Sometimes, it turns out the backup dancer makes the star shine even brighter.
8. Kesha and the Glitter Cannon
In the early 2010s, Kesha was known for her wild, messy, glitter-soaked persona. One of her most memorable publicity stunts was literally blasting fans and TV audiences with glitter cannons during live performances. It wasn’t elegant, but it definitely grabbed attention. Covered in sparkles, she positioned herself as pop’s chaotic party queen.
This glitter obsession became her trademark and helped her carve out a niche in a crowded pop market. The stunt was silly and bizarre, but it worked as branding. Whenever people thought of Kesha, they thought of confetti, glitter, and outlandish fun. Sometimes, being extra is the best possible publicity.
9. Christina Aguilera’s “Dirrty” Transformation
By 2002, Christina Aguilera wanted to shed her “genie in a bottle” image. So she shocked the world with the music video for “Dirrty,” in which she danced in chaps, bikini bottoms, and heavy makeup. It wasn’t just a new single—it was a carefully crafted publicity stunt to rebrand her. The transformation made jaws drop everywhere.
Critics debated whether it went too far, but it achieved exactly what she wanted. Suddenly, Christina wasn’t the squeaky-clean pop princess anymore—she was raw and unfiltered. The bizarrely edgy presentation turned “Dirrty” into more than just a song; it became a cultural reset for her career. It was controversial, but it worked.
10. Michael Jackson and the Baby-Dangling Incident
In 2002, Michael Jackson stunned fans when he dangled his baby son Blanket over a Berlin hotel balcony. The crowd below screamed in shock as Michael smiled and waved. The bizarre stunt instantly made global news and sparked widespread concern. It was one of the most infamous moments of his later career.
Though controversial, the incident brought Michael back into headlines during a quiet period in his music career. It reinforced his reputation as eccentric and unpredictable. Fans debated whether it was dangerous or harmless, but no one forgot it. The bizarre balcony moment became a defining late-era Jackson image.
11. Demi Lovato and the Frozen Yogurt Feud
In 2021, Demi Lovato unexpectedly made headlines after publicly criticizing a Los Angeles frozen yogurt shop for promoting “diet culture.” What might have been a minor complaint turned into a full-blown viral controversy. Fans, critics, and even other celebrities chimed in on whether Demi had overreacted. Suddenly, she was all over the news again.
The stunt may not have been intentional, but it thrust Demi into public conversation outside of her music. For weeks, people debated frozen yogurt on Twitter because of her. The story was bizarre and disproportionate, but it gave her cultural visibility. In today’s world, even a froyo shop can reignite a pop career.
12. Fergie’s National Anthem Rendition
In 2018, Fergie was tasked with singing the national anthem at the NBA All-Star Game. What followed was one of the strangest renditions in history—jazzy, sultry, and completely unexpected. Players on the court struggled to hide their laughter as the performance went viral. For weeks, it was all anyone could talk about.
Though heavily mocked, the stunt kept Fergie relevant in pop culture. The clip was replayed endlessly, sparking memes, debates, and even apologies. While it may not have been the publicity she wanted, it reminded people of her place in the pop world. Sometimes, even a flop can fuel fame.
13. Nicki Minaj’s “Miley, What’s Good?”
At the 2015 MTV VMAs, Nicki Minaj made headlines during her acceptance speech. After a rumored feud with Miley Cyrus, she called her out directly on live television with the now-famous line, “Miley, what’s good?” The room went silent as cameras captured Miley’s shocked face. The bizarre confrontation instantly dominated the internet.
That unscripted stunt defined the VMAs that year and reinforced Nicki’s reputation as fearless and confrontational. It wasn’t just about the award—it was about creating a cultural moment. The line became a meme, quoted everywhere from Twitter to late-night shows. In that instant, Nicki owned the spotlight completely.
This post 13 Pop Stars Who Rose to Fame Because of One Bizarre Publicity Stunt was first published on American Charm.
