America has long had a soft spot for its misfit icons.
The bleach-blond wrestler who told kids to say their prayers and eat their vitamins. The bat-biting rocker who mumbled his way into heavy metal royalty. Hulk Hogan and Ozzy Osbourne — two men who sold themselves as symbols of outsider cool, anti-establishment grit, and wild-man authenticity.
But behind the stage lights and tights was a far less flattering truth.
For all their showmanship, both men made deeply disturbing comments and choices when it came to Black people.
From Hogan’s caught-on-tape racist rants to Ozzy’s dismissive jabs and racially charged missteps, their track record was less rebel, and far more relic — of a time when white celebrities could offend, apologize, and move on with little consequence.
So we’re clear, this isn’t about cancel culture. It’s about accountability.
David Dennis Jr.
About how fame has too often served as a shield for behavior that would otherwise not be tolerated. And about what it means when cultural icons treat Black people as punchlines or props.
Let’s step into the ring and take a closer look.
HOGAN HULKS OUT
In 2015, Hogan (actual name: Terry Bollea) was exposed for making blatantly racist remarks in a leaked recording. The conversation featured Hogan repeatedly using the N-word and expressing disgust at the idea of his daughter dating a Black man.
We all know that crap doesn’t just slip out of the mouths of non-racist people.
Here’s what Hogan said:
“I mean, I’d rather if she was going to f — — some n — — r, I’d rather have her marry an 8-foot-tall n — — r worth a hundred million dollars! Like a basketball player!
“I guess we’re all a little racist. F — -ing n — — rs.”
These weren’t offhand slips or coded language — they were open, angry tirades, said in private but recorded and later unsealed during a lawsuit.
While Hogan faced a short ban, he immediately claimed the words were just a mistake. And not long after, the WWE reinstated Hogan into the Wrestling Hall of Fame. From there, Hogan focused more on being caught for his racism — not on what he actually said or how he could be a better human.
He actually had the audacity to tell WWE talent:
“I’m sorry if I hurt any of you. I didn’t know I was being recorded.”
Hogan, like other celebrities of his era, often played into Black culture and tropes when it was profitable — using hip-hop-style catchphrases like “brother” and aligning with Black wrestlers on-screen.
But when the wrestling costume was off, what was revealed was contempt rather than solidarity.
Ozzy’s Bad Benders
While Ozzy Osbourne built his legacy as the Prince of Darkness and shock-rock icon, his history with race is more unsettling than theatrical. Beneath the eyeliner and flying rat-biting antics lies a troubling pattern of racially charged behavior and statements — especially toward Black people.
Ozzy, while performing or in interviews, was also heard using the N-word and other racially derogatory terms casually in the 70s and 80s. Crew members and former associates have relayed his frequent use of racial insults when drunk or angry.
His defenders of course always blamed drugs. But I don’t know any non-racists who tear into the N-Word because of alcohol or narcotics.
His wife Sharon had her own very public racial controversies, particularly during her time on The Talk. In 2021, she defended Piers Morgan’s racist comments about Meghan Markle and later was accused by former co-host Elaine Welteroth and others of making derogatory statements about Black and Asian colleagues.
Given Sharon’s role as Ozzy’s manager, brand protector, and closest partner, many view the Osbourne household as a space where racist views weren’t just tolerated but sometimes weaponized.
Unlike other aging rockers who’ve at least tried to speak up on social justice issues or make amends for their past behavior, Ozzy remained silent about his racist past.
And it’s not that he was shy about politics. He went on multiple anti-immigrant rants. He even denounced artists for using his music in any anti-Trump messaging.
Hogan and Osbourne weren’t just a product of their times. They actively participated in racism and didn’t meaningfully apologize or evolve.
Their personas as a pretend masculine wrestler and a rock rebel don’t excuse bigotry.
In fact, those just make their actions and failure to make amends even more disappointing.
Rebellion without justice is just noise.
This post originally appeared on Medium and is edited and republished with author's permission. Read more of Jeffrey Kass' work on Medium.