Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese was forced to apologise earlier this month after essentially saying he would sleep with Kylie Minogue. Albanese, 63, was speaking on the Bush Deep podcast with comedian Nikki Osbourne when he was asked how he would place Kylie Minogue, Nicole Kidman and Rhonda Burchmore in a "s***, marry, date" game. At first hesitant, replying "I've just got married, I'm only six months in", Osbourne pressed him, and he admitted: "Kylie, clearly… all of the above, she's terrific." Many commentators dubbed the comments "misogynistic", and the prime minister issued an "unequivocal" apology for announcing he would sleep with the Princess of Pop.
JFK and Marilyn Monroe
In 1962, then-US President John F. Kennedy leaned back in his chair and admitted he could "retire from politics happy" after sex symbol Marilyn Monroe performed a sultry rendition of 'Happy Birthday, Mr. President' at Madison Square Gardens. Monroe strutted the stage in a near-see-through dress, during a performance many said dripped with sexual suggestion. The breathy performance further fuelled public rumours of an affair, which was never officially confirmed.
Silvio Berlusconi
At an awards dinner in 2007, former Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi was flirting with a dancer, saying: "I'd go with you anywhere." He then turned his attention to Mara Carfagna, a former television showgirl and topless model turned politician. "Take a look at her!" Berlusconi declared. "I'd marry her if I weren't married already." His long-suffering second wife Veronica Lario wrote an open letter published in newspaper La Repubblica demanding a public apology.
Donald Trump
Donald Trump has a history of inappropriate comments, including "grab her by the p****" and an alleged affair with adult star Stormy Daniels. In 2012, he sent tweets criticising actress Kristen Stewart for cheating on her Twilight co-star Robert Pattinson. "Robert Pattinson should not take back Kristen Stewart," Trump wrote. "[Stewart] cheated on him like a dog and will do it again – just watch. He can do much better!" He added: "She will cheat again--100 certain--am I ever wrong?" Stewart later told journalists it was "f****** crazy" that she was the root of Trump's obsessions.
Kemi Badenoch
In June 2024, actor David Tennant and MP Kemi Badenoch clashed publicly over transgender rights and women's spaces. The former Dr. Who actor said at the British LGBT Awards he wished Badenoch would "shut up" and looked forward to a world where she "doesn't exist any more". Badenoch shot back, calling Tennant a "rich, lefty, white male celebrity" and added: "I will not shut up. I will not be silenced by men who prioritise applause from Stonewall over the safety of women and girls."
Boris Johnson
Former UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson used celebrities for scoring points, such as when he said Marcus Rashford would "make a better leader of the opposition" than Jeremy Corbyn.
