6 celebrities accused of plagiarism: from Taylor Swift’s Folklore logo and Chris Brown and Drake’s song, to Khloé Kardashian’s Good American fashion and James Corden’s ‘stolen’ Ricky Gervais joke
- Melania Trump and Michelle Obama’s speeches were very similar, while Hailey Bieber posted an uncredited quote amid the Selena Gomez-Sofia Richie drama with Justin Bieber
- Kardashian and her Good American brand were accused of copying designs from DBleudazzled, whose pieces have been worn by Kylie Jenner, Beyoncé and Lady Gaga
It’s been said that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. However, when one’s work is replicated and pawned off as the result of someone else’s creative genius, it’s less flattering and more infuriating.
Though plagiarism – or the unauthorised copying and use of another’s work or intellectual property – is distinctly taboo and at times illegal, it still happens. Whether in academia, politics, business or arts and entertainment, instances of plagiarism and copyright infringement sadly abound … and even celebrities aren’t guilt-free.
So what are some of the most publicised incidents of celebrities accused of copying others’ works? Here are six prime examples …
1. James Corden
Accused of: using a Ricky Gervais joke
“But it isn’t,” Corden said, “because if someone puts up a poster in a town square that says ‘guitar lessons available’, you don’t get people in the town going: ‘I don’t want to play the guitar! I want to play the piano, you piece of s***!’”
But a quick glance at the gag from the Humanity stand-up routine shows it was all but a carbon copy of Gervais’ joke, in which the British comedian discusses comments he receives on Twitter: “That’s like going into a town square, seeing a big notice board and there’s a notice ‘guitar lessons’ and you go: ‘But I don’t f***ing want guitar lessons!’”
The Office star – perhaps somewhat ironically – took to Twitter to comment on the blatant act of plagiarism. In a now deleted tweet, he quipped, “The bit about the town square advert for guitar lessons is brilliant.”
Corden apologised, per The Hollywood Reporter. However, in another interview, he claimed the story was blown out of proportion. And when a Twitter user asked Gervais why he deleted his tweet, he responded, “Started to feel sorry for him.”