Julianne Hough Faces Backlash After Wearing Blackface Halloween Costume

Pacific Coast News, Courtesy of Netflix

Julianne took her Oct. 25 Halloween costume WAY too far. After painting her face black to resemble Crazy Eyes from the hit show ‘Orange Is The New Black,’ she’s landed herself smack dab in the middle of a controversy with countless fans taking to Twitter to voice their anger and disappointment.

Julianne Hough and her friends had a great idea for a Halloween party on Oct. 25 — to dress up like the cast of Orange Is The New Black. But a fun plan turned offensive when the actress more or less decided to wear blackface for her character, (understandably) sending Twitter users into a frenzy.

Julianne Hough Wears Blackface For Halloween

Julianne had the look of Crazy Eyes — an African-American character on OITNB, one of the show’s most popular — down pat. She had the hair, the inmate garb, and even an ID badge with the words “Crazy Eyes” on it. Unfortunately, she took the costume too far.

The 25-year-old actress also applied dark makeup to her face to try to match Crazy Eyes’ skin tone, a totally inexcusable decision with a ton of overt racial overtones.

Julianne Hough’s Halloween Costume Backlash

Once pictures hit the internet on Oct. 26, the controversy was well on its way — fans on Twitter have been bashing her and criticizing her ever since.

@juliannehough you need to apologize for your Orange is the New Black Halloween costume. Blackface is RACIST.

— sammie (@lesblams) October 26, 2013

No, Julianne Hough. Just NO. I can’t believe “blackface is not okay” is a conversation we still need to have.

— Danie (@danie_bagel) October 26, 2013

@juliannehough what year are u living in? What planet? Do u have black fans? Probably not anymore..

— Manager for QP (@Nick_Loco) October 26, 2013

Julianne Hough is neither young nor old enough to be delusional enough to think black face is an acceptable costume.

— Mark Rose (@MarkRoseTyler) October 26, 2013

what Julianne Hough did was ignorant….never heard of her before today. I may not have even spelled her name right

— keith (@dajerx) October 26, 2013

In the face of all the criticism, Julianne posted her own message apologizing on Twitter:

I am a huge fan of the show Orange is the New black, actress Uzo Aduba, and the character she has created. 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.

We have to say we’re shocked that Julianne didn’t have enough common sense to dial back her costume, or that none of her friends told her that it wasn’t a good idea.

But what do you think, HollywoodLifers? Let us know!