For so long, we've been taught to turn the other cheek, but when both cheeks have been smacked it's time to clapback. While, the art of clapping back isn't new, it's almost always shocking and entertaining — especially when done well. Grab a snack and get into some of the most classic clapbacks of the decade.



via GIPHY

1. When Dwyane Wade Let His Love For His Child Silence The Hate of Homophobes (2019).

Since, nothing is sacred on the internet, it took no time for judgmental social media users to begin criticizing a Wade family photo — specifically Wade's child, Zion. Followers questioned the 12-year-old's nails and crop top, but Wade politely set the haters straight with a touching and supportive tweet.  

2. When Oprah Winfrey Let One Instagram User Know If They're Going To Count Her Pockets, They Better Count It Right (2019).

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When Oprah claps back. #CommentsByCelebs

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We are in the era of comparison. After Oprah visited Colorado College as the 2019 commencement speaker and gifted the entire class a copy of her latest book, an IG user suggested that she could've done more. In fact, the user wrote Oprah should've paid off the class' student loans, similar to the 2019 Morehouse commencement speaker Robert Smith. Welp, Oprah let the user know that she didn't really need their advice. 

3.When Michael Bae Jordan Made His Stans Stan Even Harder (2018).

Jordan's stellar performance as Killmonger from Marvels Black Panther film had many women swooning over him and left some guys confused.

"Michael B Jordan Is A 5’9” Adult Man That Loves Anime & Lives With His Parents….Y’all Told Me All Of Those Things Were Unacceptable Though," @chrisfrom_216 posted in a now deleted tweet.

Twitter Blerds united to let @chrisfrom_216 know that his dry spell probably had nothing to do with anime and that Jordan was a lot taller and owned the home his family lived in. Surprisingly, Jordan also responded like a delicious chocolaty  anime-loving boss.

4. When Simone Biles Told A Judgmental Follower To Stay Seated Until Summoned (2017).

Biles is arguably the greatest gymnast of all time, and one does not become a G.O.A.T. by working their fingers to the bone — rest is a necessity. However, one IG user felt Biles' one year sabbatical, after training for 14 years and winning five Olympic medals, made her a poor role model. Biles fired back and made it clear that she earned every second of her time off.

5. When Lebron James Showed 45 How Much Respect He Had For Him. None (2017).

In, perhaps, one of the most shocking clapbacks of the decade, King James responded to President Trump disinviting Steph Curry to the White House. Curry had already turned down the invitation to join his Championship winning team on Capitol Hill, but Trump reneged the invite anyways. The entire twittersphere  gathered to let Trump know that having an unwanted burden lifted is a blessing, not a disappointment. 

6. When President Obama Literally Read His Haters On Late Night Television (2016).

YouTube | Jimmy Kimmel Live

President Obama couldn't have know that, shortly after going on Jimmy Kimmel Live to read the mean things people had to say about him, Trump would become president. But that doesn't change the epic clapback he gave Trump, who was a presidential candidate at the time.

"President Obama will go down as perhaps the worst president in the history of the United States," Trump tweeted.

With impeachment looming over Trump's first presidential  term, it seems he might have foreshadowed his own presidency. It's never good to throw stones when you live in a glass house.

7. When Lupita Nyong'o Brought Out Exhibits A, B & C For Vogue Magazine (2016).

Nyong'o schooled Vogue magazine, when the publication tried to Kardashian her African-inspired Met Gala hairdo. The Italian mag actually tried to attribute the hairstyle to Audrey Hepburn, despite Nyong'o listing African inspirations and Nina Simone as her hair muses. Since, they refused to accept her words, Nyong'o laid out everything in a short IG video.

8. When Johnetta Had To Repeat Herself To An 'All Girls Matter' User (2015). 

Twitter user Johnetta Elzie simply wanted to hype her fellow Black girl followers:

But another Twitter user tried to add to the tweet and all lives matter Elzie's shoutout.

"and the white girls and the Spanish girls and the Asian girls and all the beautiful women of the world ???????????????? ," user @nerualffiltar said in a now deleted tweet.

Elzie responded with lightening speed and made it clear that she said what she said. Unfortunately some people still don't understand that Black Pride is not a tool used to degrade any other race or culture. 

9. When Watermelondrea Read Raven-Symoné's Past, Present and Future (2015).

YouTube | Tré Melvin

Quite the opposite of a short and sweet clapback, YouTuber Tré Melvin gathered actress Raven-Symoné in an entertaining and insightful 435 second (7:15) YouTube video. It all started when the  former View cohost stated her opinion about judging people based on their names.

"…I am very discriminatory against words like that," Raven-Symoné said, referring to unique Black names. "I'm not about to hire you, if your name is Watermelondrea."

Yikes. It just so happens, Watermelondrea is one of the characters Melvin plays on his YouTube channel. The influencer got into costume and gave one of the best responses to the actress' absent-minded ignorance.

10. When Jesse Williams Had To Remind A Fan That She Didn't Know Him Like That (2014).

During the Ferguson Unrest, actorvist Jesse Williams had all the time. He leveraged his platform to denounce the unjust killing of 18-year-old Michael Brown, while calling out any and everyone who tried to minimize the situation or redirect the narrative in favor of the murdering officer.

Some "fans" didn't like Williams' approach.

"You need to check yourself. I am seriously thinking I am no longer a fan. Ease the people, not incite. Disappointed ! !"@imomi1598 tweeted in a response to Williams' tweet to CNN.

Williams reached into his bag of vocabularies and politely told the delusional fan that she had him all the way f***ed up and she needed to check herself. Though he didn't use those exact words, he might as well have. 

11. When Gabby Sidibe Expressed How Negative Opinions Make Her Feel. Unbothered (2014).

By now, people know not to come for the ever-so-witty Gabby Sidibe. But back in the early 2010s, the talented entertainer had to make her mark as a clapback queen. When people tried to clown her Golden Globe gown, she made a statement that had trolls evaluating their own miserable lives.

BEVERLY HILLS, CA - JANUARY 12: Actress Gabourey Sidibe attends the Fox and FX's 2014 Golden Globe Awards Party on January 12, 2014 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Rodrigo Vaz/FilmMagic)(Photo by Rodrigo Vaz/FilmMagic)

12. When Michelle Williams Blessed Her Hater And Sent Them On Their Way (2013).

We all celebrated when Destiny's Child reunited for the 2013 Super Bowl Half-Time Show. Well, not all of us. Keisha Cole decided to take shots at Williams' performance, as a retaliation for an alleged negative tweet sent from Williams' account. When Coles' fans came for Williams, she silenced them, sat them down, blessed them, and escorted them home.

13. When Oprah Answered A Question With A Question (2012).

People are forever questioning Oprah's pockets and where her money is going. Maybe if they focused on their own financial goals they could execute the charities they beg Oprah for. When Twitter user @addonether asked Oprah when she'd give back to the ghettos, she read him her resume and asked for his.

14. When Rihanna Clapped Back With The Most Obvious Answer (2011). 

This wouldn't be a clapback list, if the queen of IDGAF wasn't listed. Rihanna has never been shy to clapback at a hater. When Twitter user @NinyaBella ridiculously asked why Rihanna's hair looked nappy on the "Man Down"cover photo, Rihanna kept her answer short, but strong.

15. When Rihanna Threatened To Sic Her Navy On One Twitter User (2010).

Again, Rihanna has a clapback for every day of the year. She makes time and her fans do to. When Twitter user @IDRAG4M assumed Rihanna was making fun of Ciara, the user tried to check the star. Rihanna, let the user know that she has an entire navy to fight those types of battles.

The 2010s were full of clapbacks that kept us entertained. Cheers to 2020, may the clapbacks strike even harder.

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