Can Celebrities Post Their Own Paparazzi Photos? The Surprising Legal Battle Shaking Up Social Media.

Many celebrities have faced lawsuits for sharing their own photos on social media without permission from the photographers as copyright law grants ownership to the photographer, especially for images taken in public. Under U.S. copyright law, the photographer owns the rights to images they take, regardless of the subject, as long as the photo is taken in a public space. Celebrities posting these images without a license can face steep penalties—up to $150,000 per violation for willful infringement, plus legal fees. Many celebrities argue they should have rights to their own likeness, especially when photos are taken without consent, but courts typically side with photographers. Some, like Kim Kardashian, have bypassed this by hiring personal photographers to control image rights.

This issue has sparked debate. Some people see these lawsuits as “copyright trolling” by agencies seeking to profit from declining paparazzi markets, while others argue photographers deserve compensation for their work. Celebrities like Gigi Hadid have expressed frustration, noting paparazzi profit off their fame, yet they can’t use their own images freely. No prominent cases of African artists being sued for sharing their own photos. This may be due to less aggressive paparazzi culture in African markets or fewer reported lawsuits.

Below is a list of Ten (10) celebrities who were sued for this reason.

1. Jennifer Lopez was sued in 2025 for $300,000 by a photographer for posting her own red carpet photos on Instagram without permission.
2. Gigi Hadid was Sued in 2019 by Xclusive-Lee, Inc. for posting a paparazzi photo of herself on Instagram without a license. The case was dismissed due to the photographer’s failure to register the copyright in time.
3. Khloé Kardashian was Sued in 2017 by Xposure Photos for $175,000 for sharing a paparazzi photo of herself at a Miami restaurant on Instagram without permission. The agency claimed she removed their copyright information. The case was later dismissed after both parties agreed to bear their own costs.
4. Dua Lipa was Sued in 2021 by Integral Images for posting a 2019 paparazzi photo of herself at an airport on Instagram without permission. The agency sought $150,000, arguing the post was monetized due to her account’s marketing value. The photo was later deleted.
5. Emily Ratajkowski was Sued in 2019 by photographer Robert O’Neil for $150,000 for sharing a paparazzi photo on her Instagram Story with the caption “mood forever.” She argued the post was non-commercial and reflected her frustration with constant photography.
6. Ariana Grande was Sued in 2019 by photographer Robert Barbera for posting two photos of herself on Instagram to promote her Sweetener album. The photos, which received over 3 million likes, were not licensed, and Barbera sought $25,000 per photo or related profits. The case was settled for an undisclosed amount.
7. Miley Cyrus was sued in 2022 by photographer Robert Barbera for sharing a 2020 paparazzi photo on Instagram without permission. Barbera claimed the post to her 180 million followers devalued the image’s market, seeking damages for copyright infringement.
8. Bella Hadid was sued for posting a photo of herself on her Instagram Story without licensing it from Chosen Figure LLC.
9. Lisa Rinna was sued in 2021 by Backgrid for posting paparazzi photos of herself on Instagram. Rinna argued the agency’s high fees were unreasonable, especially during the pandemic when celebrity photo opportunities were limited.
10. Jessica Simpson Faced lawsuits for sharing paparazzi photos of herself on social media without permission, though specific details on outcomes are less documented.

These cases show how common this issue has become, especially for celebrities with massive social media followings where posts can generate millions of likes—and revenue. What do you think about this legal battle? Should celebrities have the right to share their own photos, or do photographers deserve their cut? Subscribe to Heedgram for your weekly insights on music, love, and lifestyle.