Celebrities Under Fire for Controversial Halloween Costumes

Halloween has long been a night for celebrities to transform into characters, but some costume choices have landed them in hot water. Over the years, numerous stars have faced criticism for outfits deemed offensive, ranging from insensitive portrayals of tragedies and historical figures to instances of blackface and cultural appropriation.

Actress Chloë Sevigny faced backlash in 1999 for dressing as a deceased Princess Diana, complete with makeup to mimic injuries from the fatal car crash that occurred two years prior. The costume also featured a blazer with "Die Di" written on the lapel.

Comedian Bill Maher ignited controversy in 2006 when he dressed as Steve Irwin, the beloved animal enthusiast who had died a month earlier from a stingray attack. Maher's costume included a fake stingray barb protruding from his chest. He later defended his choice, suggesting that one "who really love[s] animals understand[s] if you get killed by one, chances are you were doing something to it you shouldn't have been."

In 2013, Julianne Hough wore blackface to portray Crazy Eyes from the Netflix show "Orange Is the New Black." The costume drew widespread criticism for perpetuating racist stereotypes. Hough later apologized, stating that it was never her intention to be disrespectful and that she realized her costume had hurt and offended people.

Model Julia Fox stirred controversy in 2025 by dressing as a blood-soaked Jackie Kennedy in the immediate aftermath of John F. Kennedy's assassination. She replicated Kennedy's iconic pink suit, stained with fake blood, explaining on Instagram that it was a "statement" intended to evoke the historical juxtaposition of "beauty and horror."

Khloe Kardashian dressed as a pimp in 2003, with Black friends Malika and Khadijah Haqq, and sisters Meagan and La'Myia Good appearing to be on chains. Meagan Good later addressed the costume in 2019, calling it a mistake made when they were "young and dumb."

In 2023, "Schitt's Creek" star Emily Hampshire and a friend dressed as Johnny Depp and Amber Heard, a year after their highly publicized defamation trial. Hampshire, dressed as Depp, held a wine bottle, while her friend portrayed Heard with an upset expression. The post was later deleted, and Hampshire apologized, stating that domestic abuse is "never, ever funny."

Scott Disick faced accusations of cultural appropriation in 2014 after dressing as an Arab sheik and captioning a photo with "We getting Arab money tonight." The incident was later featured on "Keeping Up With The Kardashians."

Adrianne Curry, winner of "America's Next Top Model," drew criticism in 2011 for channeling Amy Winehouse, including a prop syringe to reference the late singer's struggles with addiction. Winehouse died of alcohol intoxication less than two years later.

YouTube personality Tana Mongeau was criticized in 2018 for a sexualized costume of Jojo Siwa, who was 15 at the time. Mongeau wore a pink bra and thong with Siwa's signature hair ribbons, captioned "HOE HOE SIWA." She later clarified that Siwa was a friend and she would never intend to sexualize her.

Gwen Stefani drew criticism in 2014 for a costume that combined Hurricane Sandy with Sandy from the movie "Grease," including a bloody head wound to reference the natural disaster.

In 2015, Harry Hamlin and his wife Lisa Rinna apologized after Hamlin dressed as Sid Vicious, complete with a Nazi swastika t-shirt. Hamlin was portraying the late bassist of The Sex Pistols, who had been accused of murdering his girlfriend Nancy Spungen.

Billie Eilish and her then-boyfriend Jesse Rutherford faced criticism in 2021 for referencing the age gap in their relationship, with Eilish dressing as a baby and Rutherford as an older man. Eilish was 20 at the time, and Rutherford was 31.

Comedian Jeff Ross dressed as controversial college football coach Joe Paterno in 2012, accompanied by two men wearing only towels and football helmets. Paterno's career ended amidst the Penn State child sex abuse scandal involving his assistant coach Jerry Sandusky.

Singer Chris Brown reportedly dressed as a member of the Taliban in 2012. His mother later posted on X, "HALLOWEEN IS FOR FUN NOTHING MORE THAN JUST FUN. GET A LIFE PLEASE."

In 2018, O.J. Simpson, recently released from prison, dressed as a gynecologist named "Dr. Seymour Bush" at a Las Vegas party. Simpson had been found guilty in 2008 for armed robbery.

Shaun White courted controversy in 2018 for dressing as Simple Jack, a character with intellectual disabilities from the film "Tropic Thunder." The Special Olympics called him out, and White later apologized for being insensitive.

Ashley Benson faced backlash in 2015 for what appeared to be a costume as Cecil the Lion, who was killed by a trophy hunter. Benson denied the costume was of the lion, stating it was in "poor taste" and she regretted the hurt caused.

Heidi Klum, known for her elaborate Halloween costumes, was criticized in 2008 for dressing as the Hindu goddess Kali, who symbolizes death and time. The costume drew controversy among Hindu communities.

Other notable controversial costumes include Justin Trudeau in brownface in 2001, Kate Hudson and friends as Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh and followers, Colton Haynes in blackface as Kanye West and brownface as Gandhi, Luann de Lesseps in blackface as Diana Ross, Jason Aldean in blackface as Lil Wayne, Joni Mitchell in blackface as a Black man in 1976, Hilary Duff and Jason Walsh as a pilgrim and Native American, Nicky Hilton as a Native American, Chrissy Teigen and John Legend as cowboys and Native Americans, and Tia Mowry as a geisha.