Hollywood's Most Controversial Halloween Costumes: Hilary Duff, Jason Walsh, Heidi Klum and More

Stars see backlash from their holiday ensembles

By Kendall Fisher Oct 31, 2016 6:40 PMTags

Hilary Duff and her new man, Jason Walsh, received some backlash over the weekend after dressing up as a pilgrim and a Native American, getting a lot of criticism for being culturally insensitive.

They both apologized vehemently, releasing separate statements on their social media accounts and taking full responsibility for "not thinking through" their costumes. 

"I am so sorry to people I offended with my costume," Duff wrote on Instagram Sunday. "It was not properly thought through, and I am truly from the bottom of my [heart] sorry."

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Stars Celebrate Halloween 2016
Michael Kovac/Getty Images for Casamigos Tequila

Walsh also took to Instagram, writing, "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."

This is far from the first time a celeb's Halloween ensemble has sparked backlash. Check out some of Hollywood's most controversial costumes below:

Devone Byrd, PacificCoastNews

Julianne Hough: The Dancing With the Stars judge made headlines in 2013 after dressing up as Crazy Eyes from Orange Is the New Black.  Her decision to wear blackface resulted in tons of backlash, which she immediately apologized for.

"I am a huge fan of the show Orange Is the New Black, actress Uzo Aduba, and the character she has created," Hough tweeted. "It certainly was never my intention to be disrespectful or demeaning to anyone in any way. I realize my costume hurt and offended people and I truly apologize."

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TV's Best Halloween Costumes 2016
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Noah Cyrus: In 2010, the 10-year-old caused quite a bit of talk when she dressed up like a sexy vampire. People thought she was showing a little too much skin and wearing too much makeup for her age.

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Lisa Rinna and Harry Hamlin: The couple got a little too into character in 2015 when they dressed as Sid Vicious and Nancy Spungen. Hamlin opted for a red t-shirt with a swastika printed on the front that received lots of criticism.

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Scott Disick: The Keeping Up With the Kardashians star offended many when he dressed as an Arab Sheik in 2014.

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Stars' Offensive Moments
Mark Sullivan/WireImage

Chrissy Teigen: The model got herself in trouble with her fans and followers after wearing a Native American costume out in 2008. She was dressed as "cowboys and Indians" with her husband, John Legend.

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Ashley Benson: The Pretty Little Liars star saw quite a bit of backlash last year when she donned a lion costume just a few months after Cecil the Lion was hunted and killed. She immediately took to Twitter to apologize.

"Yesterday's post was in poor taste and I absolutely regret all of the hurt that photo caused. The caption that was posted was incorrect and my costume was not Cecil the Lion, when I saw that, I contacted my management who handled the post and had it immediately changed," she explained. "I recognize that I am responsible for everything posted on my social accounts and this was an unfortunate oversight."

She continued, "I am a supporter of Animal conservation and I will be donating all the proceeds of this deal to the World Wildlife Fund. I love you all and I apologize if I let you down." 

Amanda Schwab/Startraksphoto.com

Heidi Klum: When the model dressed up as Hindu goddess Kali for Halloween, the Hindu community spoke out against it.  Rajan Zed explained, "Goddess Kali is highly revered in Hinduism and she is meant to be worshipped in temples and not to be used in clubs for publicity stunts or thrown around loosely for dramatic effects." 

VLUV / Splash News

Chris Brown: The singer found himself on the receiving end of tons of backlash after he attended Rihanna's Halloween party dressed as a terrorist with a turban in 2012.

Bill Maher: The comedian donned a Steve Irwin costume in 2006, just a month and a half after his tragic and sudden death.