Hilary Duff says sorry for culturally inappropriate Halloween costumes
Pair showed up to Beverly Hills party dressed as sexy pilgrim and First Nations chief
Hilary Duff has apologized aftergetting an earful from social media about the costumesshe and her boyfriend wore to a Los Angeles Halloween party Fridaythat weren't exactly kosher forthis day and age.
The former Disney star was dressed up as apants-less pilgrim while her new beau Jason Walsh, a personal trainer, wore a headdress and face paint, appearing to be anIndigenous chief.
In a tweet Sunday to her 4.9 million followers, Duff said she was sorry to those "offended" by her costume.
"It was not properly thought through," she wrote.
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.
—@HilaryDuff
Duff had posted a photo on Instagramreferencing her costume before the Beverly Hills party. And even her followers found it tough to defend the look.
"How could you have possibly thought your couples costume was OK?"one user wrote. "I suggest you and your boyfriend crack a history book, beyond 'Thanksgiving for children.'"
As soon as the official party photoswere released, social media lit up with comments and they were less than favourable. People referred to the outfits as "blatant racism," "disrespectful" and insensitive.
@HilaryDuff No. No. No. No words will sum the insensitivity and idiocy.
—@DenisePayneYoga
@jpbrammer @thatgirlneenz @other98 Surprised to see this was taken in 2016 bc 1) wow blatant racism and 2) Hillary Duff.
—@Ms_SaraMarie
Some tweets highlighted the current situation in North Dakota, in which a group of Native-Americans is protesting an oil pipeline they say threatens their water resources and land.
Hey @HilaryDuff while your boyfriend wears a Native American costume tonight several Natives are being released from custody in North Dakota
—@ClassicJanvier
@HilaryDuff I thought you were woke! Disrespectful costume to Native American people. Take a lesson from @chrishemsworth please.
—@memokt
Earlier this week, actor Chris Hemsworthexpressed his solidarity with the demonstrators in an Instagram post. He also apologized for sporting a sacred headdress to a costume party last year.
There has been a push for years across Canada to remove similar costumes from the market. Many people, including Indigenous groups,arguethey trivializeFirst Nations culture.