12 Celebrities Who Didn't Think Before Posting On Social Media

Social media has given celebrities the ability to communicate in real time with their fans through direct channels unmediated by any external sources. The self-promotional benefits of social media platforms such Twitter are clear, but there are also some very real risks. Once something goes online, it's seen immediately and even if a post is deleted, the damage can be done so quickly there's no turning back.

With a few taps on a smartphone, a careless and poorly thought out tweet or an embarrassing Instagram post can result in utter career self-destruction. The media loves jumping on an ill-advised celeb post, and it seems that just about every day now a celebrity is in the news apologizing for posting something stupid. The following 12 celebrities goofed hard with some cringe-worthy social media posts.

1. Beyonce Photoshops Herself

Beyonce has established herself as an icon of female strength. Typically known for embracing her full-figured beauty, Beyonce has more than once drawn the ire of feminists after posting photos of herself that clearly appear to be Photoshopped. In this photo, you can the stair between her legs looks to have been inadvertently manipulated with Photoshop in an effort to enhance her "thigh gap." What happened, Beyonce? You used to be bootylicious!

2. Kim K Cuts North West

In a display of spectacular narcissism, Kim Kardashian posted a selfie on Instagram in which she had cut her daughter out of the shot. This mother of the year candidate proved she hates sharing the spotlight even if it's with her own daughter. At least she left a large chunk of black wall on the right side of the picture, because that was totally more beautiful than her daughter's face.

3. Oprah Promo Tweet Backfires

In 2012, Oprah plugged the Microsoft Surface on her widely followed Twitter page. Ironically, the tweet was sent via an iPad and someone forgot to turn off the setting that points that out. The easily avoidable gaffe made Oprah (and whoever manages her social media accounts) look quite foolish. Apple surely must've been laughing all the way to the bank. You get a new iPad! You get a new iPad!

4. Chris Brown Compares Himself to Jesus

Chris Brown posted this painting to his Instagram with the caption, “Painting the way I feel today. Focus on what matters!” Chris Brown, a convicted woman abuser, enjoyer of excess, and all around spaz, didn't seem to see the irony in comparing himself to Jesus, but the backlash forced Brown to reluctantly shut down his Instagram for a while. In his defense, his song "Forever" has been featured in a lot of irritating weddings.

5. Ashton Kutcher Defends Joe Paterno

Ashton Kutcher was one of the first stars to harness the power of social media, and for a while, he was actually the single most followed person on Twitter. That all came to an end after Ashton Kutcher tweeted his defense of Penn State coach Joe Paterno after Paterno was fired for not doing anything to stop serial pedophile Jerry Sandusky. Ashton quit Twitter for a while after his followers unleashed a wave of rage at him over the tweet. Maybe Ashton isn't so different from Kelso after all.

6. Anthony Weiner Sexts Twitter

Anthony Weiner (yes that's his real name) was an up-and-coming politician until he made the incomprehensibly stupid mistake of tweeting a picture of his, well, wiener. The resulting chaos that followed provided some of the best headlines to ever grace the papers and saw Weiner slip away into disgraced obscurity. I don't think we'll see him up for erection — I mean election — any time soon.

7. Beyonce Cuts Kelly

On what would have been Aaliyah's 35th birthday, both Beyonce and Kelly Rowland posted the same photo of them posing with the late songstress. The difference? Beyonce cut Kelly out of the photo she posted.

8. Gilbert Gottfried Doesn't Care About Japanese People

D-list celebrity Gilbert Gottfried, who is perhaps best known for being the annoying voice of the Aflac duck, killed his own golden goose by making insensitive jokes via Twitter when Japan was hit by the Tsunami in 2011. Aflac swiftly fired the comedian following the Tweets and the world rejoiced. Hopefully, no one is ever forced to hear his grating voice again.

9. Robin Thicke Grabs a Butt

"Blurred Lines" crooner and Miley Cyrus groper Robin Thicke found himself in hot water when a socialite named Lana Scolaro posted this picture to her Instagram. Thicke, who was married at the time to actress Paula Patton, quickly became hated for the piggish gesture. He and Patton divorced shortly after and Thicke's career flat lined. I guess we'll never truly find out what rhymes with, "hug me."