Hilary Duff Apologizes For Offensive Halloween Costume

Singer/actress Hilary Duff has issued a heartfelt apology for causing offense with her Halloween costume after attending a party as a sexy pilgrim.

Hilary Duff’s couple’s costume is the “Why Not” of Halloween offensiveness https://t.co/sd4bO8dejy pic.twitter.com/QQPz7TnKlg

— Teen Vogue (@TeenVogue) October 30, 2016

The So Yesterday star, 29, made her first official public appearance with new boyfriend Jason Walsh on Friday (28Oct16), when they attended George Clooney‘s celebrity-packed Casamigos Tequila Halloween bash in Beverly Hills, California.

Hilary showed up for the costume party in a short black dress as she channelled a religious crusader, while trainer Jason went as a Native American chief, complete with feathered headdress and matching face paint.

The image stirred controversy among social media users, who expressed outrage and disappointment at their choice of wardrobe, with many blasting Walsh for his “blatant racism”, particularly in light of the plight of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe, who are fighting the construction of the Dakota Access Pipeline on sacred land in Sioux County, North Dakota.

One critic declared: “No @HilaryDuff Traditional dress is not a costume and you being dressed as a pilgrim proves to me how insensitive and ignorant you are”, while another added, “Wow. They are grossly out of touch.”

The online uproar prompted Hilary to address the backlash via Twitter on Sunday (30Oct16).

I am SO sorry to people I offended with my costume.It was not properly thought through and I am truly, from the bottom of my ❤️sorry.

— Hilary Duff (@HilaryDuff) October 30, 2016

“I am SO sorry to people I offended with my costume,” she wrote. “It was not properly thought through and I am truly, from the bottom of my (heart) sorry.”

Walsh also turned to social media to express his apologies.

In a post on Instagram, he stated: “I meant no disrespect. I only have admiration for the indigenous people of America. In hindsight I would not have made that decision. I apologize to anyone I may have offended.”

Duff and Walsh showed off their controversial costumes a day after Thor star Chris Hemsworth publicly shared his regret at dressing up as a Native American for a New Year’s Eve party last year (15).

 

Standing with those who are fighting to protect their sacred land and water. #nodapl #waterislife #mniwiconi @taikawaititi I would also like to take this opportunity to raise something that has been bothering me for sometime. Last New Year’s Eve I was at a “Lone Ranger” themed party where some of us, myself included, wore the traditional dress of First Nations people. I was stupidly unaware of the offence this may have caused and the sensitivity around this issue. I sincerely and unreservedly apologise to all First Nations people for this thoughtless action. I now appreciate that there is a great need for a deeper understanding of the complex and extensive issues facing indigenous communities. I hope that in highlighting my own ignorance I can help in some small way.

A photo posted by Chris Hemsworth (@chrishemsworth) on Oct 27, 2016 at 6:49pm PDT

In his Instagram post, the Australian actor confessed he was “stupidly unaware of the offense this may have caused and the sensitivity around this issue”, adding, “I sincerely and unreservedly apologize to all First Nations people for this thoughtless action.”

His apology was made as he announced his support for the protest of the Dakota Access Pipeline.