Why is Kid Rock so controversial? The ‘Devil with a Cause’ singer calls Donald Trump his ‘bestie’, dissed Beyoncé, Taylor Swift and Oprah Winfrey, and was married to Pamela Anderson

May 27 , 2024

Musician Kid Rock seems to get more extreme by the year – and his latest outburst is no exception. Photo: @kidrock/Instagram

Kid Rock, whose real name is Robert James Ritchie, is making headlines again – for all the wrong reasons.

Kid Rock on his 50th birthday, being low key for once. Photo: @kidrock/Instagram

In a recent interview with Rolling Stone, the musician reportedly flashed a gun at the journalist and repeatedly used racial slurs, including the N-word. “And I got a f****** goddamn gun right here if I need it!” he is said to have yelled. “I got them everywhere!”

Rock apparently sunk “at least three or four” Jim Beam and Diet Cokes during the conversation. The controversial interviewee also called Donald Trump his “bestie”, according to Rolling Stone.

Here’s what we know about the ever more shocking Kid Rock:

Why is Kid Rock so famous?

Kid Rock has called former president Donald Trump his “bestie”. Photo: @kidrock/Instagram

Per Hook & Barrel Magazine, Rock started his career in music as a teen. He got his big break in 1998 with his hit “Devil with a Cause” which reportedly accounts for more than half of his 26 million global records sales. “Every day I pinch myself. I give many, many thanks,” he told the publication. “I do give a lot of attribution to the hard work that I’ve put in, but at the end of the day, I’ve been a very lucky person.” These days, he’s also famous for his political stance and controversial public statements.

Is Kid Rock still with Audrey Berry?

Yes, Kid Rock is still with his fiancée Audrey Berry. Per Heavy, they got engaged in 2017, after close to a decade of dating.

Has Kid Rock ever been married?

Yes, Rock was married to Baywatch star Pamela Anderson for four months in 2006. Per People, they famously had an on-and-off relationship for five years from 2001.

Why is Kid Rock so controversial?

Kid Rock with The Machine Shop music venue founder Kevin Zink. Photo: @kidrock/Instagram

Kid Rock has been the subject of various controversies in his lifetime. From defacing the American flag at the Super Bowl in 2004, to a leaked sex tape with Creed frontman Scott Stapp and four other women in 2006, to a fight with Anderson’s ex Tommy Lee at the MTV VMAs in 2007, per Billboard – he regularly makes headlines. He also dissed Beyoncé in a 2015 Rolling Stone cover story.

“Beyoncé, to me, doesn’t have a f****** ‘Purple Rain’, but she’s the biggest thing on Earth. How can you be that big without at least one ‘Sweet Home Alabama’ or ‘Old Time Rock & Roll’?” he said. “People are like, ‘Beyoncé’s hot. Got a nice f****** a**.’ I’m like, ‘Cool, I like skinny white chicks with big t***.’ Doesn’t really f****** do much for me.” Besides Beyoncé, he has also criticised Taylor Swift and Oprah Winfrey, adds Billboard.

Fame and celebrity

In a recent interview with Rolling Stone, the far-right musician reportedly flashed a gun in the journalist’s face and used racial slurs, including the N word
From defacing the American flag at the Super Bowl in 2004, to his fight with Pamela Anderson’s ex Tommy Lee at the 2007 MTV VMAs, Rock is no stranger to making headlines