You'd think international travel would be easy if you're rich and famous. And it usually is…unless you've done anything remotely illegal or controversial. These stars all faced bans from foreign countries for various infractions and perceived insults.
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#1
Following his 2009 assault of then-girlfriend Rihanna, Chris Brown was denied entry into the United Kingdom. In September 2015, it was discovered that Breezy is also persona non grata in Australia, which was, ironically, originally inhabited mostly by criminals. Life is unkind.
#2
Miley Cyrus was banned from China after posting a racially insensitive photo on her website in early 2009. Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi told NME, "Miss Cyrus has made it clear she is no friend of China or anyone of East Asian descent. We have no interest in further polluting our children's minds with her American ignorance." Looks like she'll have to keep her party in the USA whether she likes it or not.
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#3
In May 2009, Alec Baldwin made what he thought was a harmless joke on The Late Show With David Letterman about mail-order brides from the Philippines. But it wasn't harmless after all: the Philippines deemed him an "undesirable alien" and banned him from visiting the country.
#4
Believe it or not, Snoop Dogg is actually banned from the land of the Dutch, the Netherlands. Considering his favorite herbal-themed pastime, you'd think that Amsterdam would welcome him with open arms. Ironically, the D-O-Double-G's open marijuana use and criminal record have prohibited him from entering the Netherlands in 2010, which TMZ reports was to ensure an "open and friendly character." The rapper was also blocked from the United Kingdom when members of his entourage got into a fight at Heathrow Airport in 2007.
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#5
It's hard to imagine anywhere that wouldn't want Brad Pitt's beautiful mug gracing their presence, but the hunk isn't allowed in China. Why? They weren't thrilled with his participation in the film Seven Years In Tibet. Other stars banned from China for supporting Tibetan freedom include Noel Gallagher, Bjork, Martin Scorsese, and the Dalai Lama's BFF Richard Gere.
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#6
In 2011, Russell Brand went on a Twitter tirade after being deported from Japan due to his drug convictions from almost a decade earlier. The funnyman was banned from Canada the same year for similar reasons, then from South Africa in 2013, forcing him to bail on previously scheduled performances.
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#7
Whether it's American football or simply hip-hop, Canada ain't playing: In 2011, America's hat wouldn't let rapper The Game (also known as Jayceon Terrell Taylor) into the country due to his alleged affiliation with the Bloods gang. Adding insult to injury, Canadian officials didn't let Mr. Game know until he was already on a flight there. He was forced to cancel an entire tour at the last minute and hasn't been back since.
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#8
Troubled boxer Mike Tyson's lengthy criminal record knocked him out of the UK forever. England's immigration policies block anyone who served more than four years behind bars from entering the country. Tyson's offenses, which include rape, assault, cocaine possession, and driving under the influence, also bar him from entering New Zealand. Apparently his face tattoo wasn't reason enough.
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#9
They can't get no satisfaction in Japan: The Daily Beast reports that the Rolling Stones' Pacific Tour was due to take them to Japan for the first time in 1973until the Japanese Foreign Ministry got wind of Mick Jagger's raunchy lyrics and prior drug convictions. The band was also briefly denied entry into Australia because of Jagger's offenses, but the Land Down Under eventually relented.
