When a celebrity gets arrested, one of the first things we want to see is…their mugshot. Think about when Donald Trump was arrested. One of the biggest things people wanted to see as quickly as possible was his prison photo. That photo would ultimately be used for T shirts that fans and enemies alike would buy. There are many other celebrities who, when they are arrested, have mugshots go viral immediately. In this day and age of social media, mugshots are obtained almost instantly by gossip websites and are shared via social media by the world.
If you had to go back and think in history, what are some of the most famous mugshots that come to mind…maybe you’d think James Brown, Bill Cosby, Justin Bieber. We will take a look at some of the most viral mugshots over history and share them with you. If there are some you think should be in the top 15, please let us know.
Let’s also take a look at what exactly a mugshot is. A mugshot is typically a photo taken from the shoulders up of a person after they have been arrested. The purpose of this photo is so law enforcement can have a record of this person for identification purposes for victims and for law enforcement themselves. The picture is of the front and of the side with a back round that is plain so there is no distraction from the actual person in the photo.
The latest celebrity mugshot going viral is Tory Lanez so we will start with him. Tory was arrested for shooting rapper Megan Thee Stallion and his prison mugshot was just released yesterday. The world immediately started making fun of him for his hair among other things. He’s just one of several that we will highlight below.
Tory Lanez
Tory Lanez was arrested for shooting Megan Thee Stallion back in July of 2020. He would eventually be charged with discharge of a firearm, assault with a semiautomatic firearm, and carrying a loaded and unregistered firearm.
DELANO, CALIFORNIA – SEPTEMBER 19: In this handout photo provided by the California Department of Corrections, Tory Lanez, born Daystar Peterson, is photographed for a new booking photo at North Kern State Prison on September 19, 2023 in Delano, California. On August 8, 2023, Lanez was sentenced to 10 years in prison for negligent discharge of a firearm, assault with a semiautomatic firearm, and carrying an unregistered and loaded firearm in the shooting of Megan Thee Stallion. (Photo by California Department of Corrections via Getty Images)
Lindsay Lohan
Lindsay Lohan was arrested, this time, in July 20, 2010 in Lynwood, California. Lohan received a 90-day jail sentence for the August 2007 no-contest plea to drug and alcohol charges. This is just one of the several times she’d be arrested.
LYNWOOD, CA – JULY 20: In this booking photo provided by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, Lindsay Lohan is seen at the Lynwood Correctional Facility on July 20, 2010 in Lynwood, California. Lohan received a 90-day jail sentence for the August 2007 no-contest plea to drug and alcohol charges. (Photo by Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department via Getty Images)
Justin Bieber
On Jan. 23, 2014 Justin Bieber was arrested on suspicion of drunk driving, drag racing, driving without a valid license and resisting arrest. At the time, he was 19 years old. His smiling photo went viral immediately.
MIAMI, FL – JANUARY 23: In this handout photo provided by Miami-Dade Police Department, pop star Justin Bieber poses for a booking photo at the Miami-Dade Police Department on January 23, 2014 in Miami, Florida. Justin Bieber was charged with drunken driving, resisting arrest and driving without a valid license after Miami Beach Police found the pop star street racing on Thursday morning. (Photo by Miami-Dade Police Department via Getty Images)
R. Kelly
R. Kelly’s arrest had the world talking. He was arrested for sexual abuse and number sex crimes involving minors. His mugshot was taken July 11, 2019 and he would eventually go to trial several years later.
CHICAGO, IL – FEBRUARY 22: In this handout provided by the Chicago Police Department, Robert Kelly (R. Kelly) poses for a mugshot after his arrest on February 22, 2019 in Chicago, Illinois. Kelly was arrested on 10 counts of aggravated criminal sexual abuse. (Photo by Chicago Police Department via Getty Images)
Bill Cosby
Bill Cosby was accused by dozens of women for rape, sexual abuse, sexual harassment and many other charges. He would eventually be arrested in 2015. After being sentenced to prison, he was released after his conviction was overturned in 2021.
ELKINS PARK, PA – DECEMBER 30: (EDITORS NOTE: Best quality available) In this handout image provided by the Elkins Park, Montgomery County District Attorney’s office, William H. Cosby poses for a mugshot photo during his arraignment December 30, 2015 in Elkins Park, Pennsylvania. Cosby was arraigned at 2:30 p.m. before Magisterial District Judge Elizabeth McHugh and charged with Aggravated Indecent Assault. Bail was set at $1 million under the condition that he surrender his passport and have no contact with the victim. Cosby was released.after posting $100,000, the required 10 percent of bail. (Photo by Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office via Getty Images)
Michael Jackson
Michael Jackson was arrested in November of 2003 after a search of his Neverland Ranch. He was released an hour later after posting a $3 million bond. Michael would be charged with with seven counts of child molestation and two counts of administering an intoxicating agent for the purpose of committing a felony. On June 13, 2005, they returned a verdict of not guilty on all charges.
SANTA BARBARA , CA – NOVEMBER 20: In this handout image provided by the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office, singer Michael Jackson is shown in a mug shot after he was booked on multiple counts for allegedly molesting a child November 20, 2003 in Santa Barbara, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)
James Brown
James Brown was actually arrested a few times throughout his life. His most viral mugshot came from an arrest in 2004 for domestic violence. Police would arrive to see James shoving his wife to the ground. He pled no contest and was given a fine of just $1,000.
AIKEN, SC – JANUARY 28: This mug shot provided by the Aiken County Sheriff?s Office shows singer James Brown, who was arrested January 28, 2004 and charged with Criminal Domestic Violence. (Photo by the Aiken County Sheriff?s Office via Getty Images)
