Former celebrity guests have revealed troubling behind-the-scenes experiences on Jimmy Kimmel Live! following his shocking firing from ABC, sparking a wave of emotional backlash that paints him as both a victim of corporate politics and a host whose off-camera behavior may have finally caught up with him.

As Hollywood continues to reel from the stunning news of Jimmy Kimmel’s sudden firing from ABC, a new wave of controversy is sweeping through the industry — this time from the voices of celebrities who once sat across from him on Jimmy Kimmel Live!.

In the days following ABC’s announcement, several former guests have come forward with unsettling stories about what they describe as the “toxic” and “controlling” environment behind the scenes of Kimmel’s long-running late-night show, raising troubling questions about what really went on when the cameras stopped rolling.

Kimmel, who hosted the late-night program for over two decades, built his reputation on sharp wit, edgy comedy, and unfiltered political commentary.

But while many fans and fellow comedians have defended him in the wake of his dismissal, others are now painting a different picture — one that suggests Kimmel’s off-camera persona may not have been as lighthearted as the one his audience adored.

A-list actress Jennifer Lawrence, who appeared multiple times on Kimmel’s show, admitted during a private Hollywood event this weekend that the host could be “strangely dismissive” once the cameras turned off.

“On camera, he’s all charm and jokes,” she said, “but off camera, you could feel the tension.

It was like everyone was walking on eggshells.” Though she clarified that her experiences were not hostile, she noted that the atmosphere felt “more business than fun,” even when guests were there to promote their latest projects.

Another star, comedian Kevin Hart, offered a harsher critique.

Speaking in an interview with a streaming podcast, Hart revealed that Kimmel was “tougher behind the curtain than people realize,” claiming the host often pressured guests into edgier conversations than they were comfortable with.

“There were times you’d get the sense he was baiting you into saying something controversial, just so it would make headlines the next day,” Hart explained.

“That’s not comedy, that’s strategy.”

Musician Billie Eilish, who had her first late-night appearance with Kimmel in 2019, recalled her own mixed feelings.

At the time, she made headlines for not knowing who Van Halen was, sparking a viral moment that was replayed for weeks.

“It felt like he set me up,” Eilish told a close friend, who later relayed the story to entertainment reporters.

“I was only 17, and he made me look like an idiot.

It was good TV for him, but it was humiliating for me.”

Insiders from the production crew are also beginning to speak anonymously, with one former staff member describing the work culture as “cutthroat” and “built entirely around keeping Jimmy happy.

” According to the source, “If Jimmy didn’t like a segment idea, it was dead on arrival.

People lost jobs over small mistakes.

It wasn’t a fun environment; it was survival.”

Not all voices have been critical.

Actor Matt Damon, who famously had a long-running comedic “feud” with Kimmel, defended the host publicly, calling him “a brilliant performer who pushed people out of their comfort zones, sometimes too far, but always in the name of entertainment.

” Damon insisted that Kimmel’s controversial style was part of what made him stand out in a crowded late-night landscape.

Still, the chorus of uneasy testimonies is feeding speculation that ABC’s decision to cut ties with Kimmel was about more than just ratings or political pressure.

While executives have remained tight-lipped, some industry insiders suggest the network may have been aware of these growing complaints and feared that unflattering revelations could snowball into a larger scandal.

Social media has amplified the divide.

Hashtags like #KimmelExposed and #ProtectLateNight are trending side by side, with fans clashing over whether the revelations tarnish Kimmel’s legacy or simply reflect the high-pressure nature of television production.

“Every host has their demons,” one user tweeted, “but Jimmy’s firing shows the networks only care when the money stops rolling in.

” Another countered, “These stories prove ABC made the right call — late-night deserves better.”

Kimmel himself has yet to address the behind-the-scenes allegations directly.

In his only public statement since the firing, he thanked his viewers and crew for “20 unforgettable years” but offered no comment on the growing controversy.

Friends say he is “deeply hurt” by both the dismissal and the mounting criticisms but remains undecided about whether he will defend himself publicly or let the storm pass.

As Hollywood waits for the next chapter in this unfolding drama, one thing is clear: Jimmy Kimmel’s departure from ABC has not only shaken the late-night television landscape but also opened the floodgates to stories that threaten to redefine how fans remember his legacy.

Whether he is remembered as a fearless truth-teller or a host who pushed too far may depend on how many more voices step forward — and what they are willing to reveal.