“I genuinely thought I was untouchable, but the truth is, I wasn’t.”
James Corden’s rise to fame was nothing short of meteoric—starting with his beloved role in Gavin & Stacy to becoming one of the biggest late-night talk show hosts in the U.S.

But behind the smile and charm, his true personality started to emerge, and it wasn’t pretty.

His story is a cautionary tale about how ego, entitlement, and a complete disregard for others led to his downfall.

From hosting The Late Late Show to being banned from a New York restaurant, how did the man who was once adored turn into one of the most hated figures in entertainment? Let’s dive in.

James Corden’s Humble Beginnings and Meteoric Rise
James Corden’s career didn’t begin with a golden ticket—he started small in the British entertainment industry, working in various roles from Gavin & Stacy to Fat Friends.

But his real breakthrough came when he co-starred in Gavin & Stacy, which turned into a cultural phenomenon in the UK.

Corden’s portrayal of Smithy, the loveable yet loud character, earned him widespread recognition.

The show’s success opened doors, and he went on to host The Brit Awards, feature on panel shows, and even co-host Comic Relief.

He was widely seen as a down-to-earth, humble performer, and his natural charisma made him a fan favorite.

The Late Late Show Gamble: James Takes Over Late Night TV
In 2014, Corden took a major risk, replacing Craig Ferguson as the host of The Late Late Show on CBS.

It was a huge leap—Corden was a relatively unknown name in the U.S.

But he quickly adapted, understanding that the key to success wasn’t just traditional TV ratings, but viral moments.

This insight led to the creation of Carpool Karaoke, a segment that saw celebrities singing along to their hits while having candid conversations with Corden.

The segment became a hit, turning The Late Late Show into a digital powerhouse.

He quickly became a go-to host for major award shows and events, solidifying his place in the industry.

Ego and Entitlement: The Cracks Start to Show
However, as Corden’s star rose, so did his ego.

In 2017, during an incident at the Glamour Woman of the Year Awards, Corden was called out by actor Sir Patrick Stewart for looking uninterested during the ceremony.

Instead of graciously accepting the criticism, Corden lashed out.

His response was rude and dismissive, setting the stage for a pattern of behavior that would follow him throughout his career.

His refusal to take responsibility for his actions started alienating colleagues, fans, and industry insiders.

The Fall: A Series of Public Tantrums
Corden’s behavior only worsened as his fame grew.

In 2018, he participated in a Spill Your Guts or Fill Your Guts segment with Jimmy Kimmel, where Corden was unable to name two of his cameramen—a revealing moment that exposed his disconnection from the people around him.

This public gaffe left many questioning his sincerity, especially given his earlier “everyman” persona.

The next major controversy came when Corden made light of the Harvey Weinstein scandal during his 2017 Afar Gala monologue.

His inappropriate joke fell flat and further soured his image.

But it wasn’t until 2020 that the cracks in his persona became irreparable.

In a now-infamous Reddit Ask Me Anything session, multiple commenters shared stories of Corden being rude and entitled to restaurant staff and production crew.

One user claimed Corden threw tantrums over minor issues, treating the staff with disdain.

Another commenter shared how he had yelled at a waiter for a mistake, exposing Corden’s true character behind closed doors.

The Belazar Incident: A Public Outrage
The most significant blow to Corden’s career came in late 2022 when he was banned from the famous New York restaurant, Belazar.

The incident, which went viral, involved Corden allegedly berating the restaurant staff after finding a hair in his food and demanding free drinks.

When the manager failed to meet his demands, Corden reportedly became aggressive, accusing the staff of incompetence.

This outburst was caught on social media and quickly spread, further tarnishing his reputation.

Though he later apologized, his lack of genuine accountability and refusal to learn from his mistakes did more harm than good.

The Carpool Karaoke Scandal: Authenticity Lost
Corden’s most popular segment, Carpool Karaoke, came under fire in 2023 when footage revealed that, during his segment with Justin Bieber, the car was actually being pulled by a trailer.

While Corden jokingly defended the segment, saying that most of the time he genuinely drives the car, the revelation took away the magic and authenticity that had made it so popular.

The segment, once hailed as a charming glimpse into the lives of celebrities, now felt staged and fake, further eroding the trust fans had in Corden.

The End of The Late Late Show: Corden’s Final Act
In April 2023, after a string of controversies and a drop in viewership, Corden announced that he would be stepping down from The Late Late Show to focus on his family.

While some believed this was a genuine move to reconnect with loved ones, many saw it as a way for Corden to retreat after his career took a serious hit.

The show, which had once been a massive success, had seen its viewership drop to an all-time low, with Corden’s ego and behavior driving away fans and network executives alike.

His exit marked the end of an era for The Late Late Show, with CBS opting to end the show entirely rather than replace Corden.

With Corden’s departure, the late-night talk show landscape changed, but the damage done to his reputation was permanent.