From Hilary Duff to Paris Hilton, celebrities who have faced criticism for insensitive Halloween costumes

By Apoorva Puranik

Hilary Duff and Jason Walsh faced criticism for dressing up as a pilgrim and a Native American for Halloween. While Duff later apologised for the “racist” attire, she’s not the only celebrity to don offensive Halloween costumes.

Bill Maher
In the poorest of tastes, comedian Bill Maher dressed as the late wildlife expert Steve Irwin, complete with a bloody khaki shirt and a stingray barb sticking out of his chest in 2006. Maher wore the costume less than two months after Irwin’s passing, facing flak. However, he refused to apologise, saying on his show Real Time with Bill Maher that “people who really love animals understand if you get killed by one, chances are you were doing something to it you shouldn’t have been”.


Hilary Duff and boyfriend Jason Walsh apologised for dressing up as a pilgrim for a Halloween party. (Image: Twitter)

Julianne Hough
In 2013, actress Julianne Hough decided to portray a character from the show Orange is the New Black for Halloween. But instead of choosing to dress up as the blonde character Piper Chapman, she decided to dress up as Uzo Aduba’s character ‘Crazy Eyes’, with a blackened face. Hough apologised soon after she came under fire. “It certainly was never my intention to be disrespectful or demeaning to anyone
in any way. I realise my costume hurt and offended people and I truly apologise,” she tweeted.

Paris Hilton


Paris Hilton during this year's Halloween Party. (Image: Twitter)

Paris Hilton, at a Playboy mansion Halloween party in 2010, dressed up as a Native American woman. And apart from the insensitive portrayal, Hilton also sexified her costume, complete with headgear and body paint.

Chris Brown


Chris Brown's costume for Halloween this year. (Image: Twitter)

Chris Brown was calling for trouble when he arrived for Rihanna’s Halloween party in 2012 with his friends dressed as terrorists. The singer went all out with a giant fake beard, a mock-turban, fake bullets and a fake assault rifle. While his costume was heavily critisised, Brown
went on air to say, “Get the f*** over it … I was dressed as the people we kill!”

Heidi Klum
Super model Heidi Klum has a reputation for going over the top when it comes to Halloween costumes. However, in 2008 she attended her annual bash dressed up as the goddess Kali. The costume caused a furore amongst the Hindu community in America, with many demanding an apology.