Celebrity Infidelity and Sex Crimes: An Empirical Investigation of Cheating, Sexual Harassment, Sexual Assault, and Solicitation

• In Event: Rape and Sexual Assault: Current Issues

Abstract

Although celebrity infidelity and sex crimes have received much attention in recent years, there has been almost no criminological research on these behaviors among a large sample of celebrities. For this study, we closely analyzed infidelity, sexual harassment, sexual assault, and solicitation of sex workers among 200 of the most famous celebrities in America. Overall, our quantitative analyses found that despite both male and female celebrities benefiting from more power and privilege than the average person, there were significant differences between these groups. Famous men were significantly more likely to commit all of these sexual transgressions, and those who cheated on a romantic partner had a significantly higher risk of committing other sex crimes as well. Compared to the U.S. general population, both male and female celebrities appear more prone to engage in infidelity, although their involvement in sexual harassment, sexual assault, and solicitation was not as high as expected based on #MeToo revelations. We interpret these findings in the context of sexual frustration theory, given that celebrities may experience more sexual temptations than the average person and feel more entitled to have their sexual demands met.

Authors

• Adam Lankford, The University of Alabama

• Hannah Rae Evans, The University of Alabama

• Austin Bowling, The University of Alabama