Don’t wear blackface. Ever. Even if you’re the nicest person in the world and have no racial issues whatsoever, it’s just not worth it. History is filled with way too many horror stories of people using makeup and shoe polish to demean and reinforce bullshit stereotypes. So, even if you have great intentions or in this case, want to be part of a coordinated group costume, you’re better off saying no. If not, you will be forced to issue a formal apology almost immediately, as former Dancing With The Stars pro and former Ryan Seacrest girlfriend Julianne Hough discovered this week.
The starlet was attending a costume party alongside a bunch of her friends dressed as the characters from Netflix’s runaway hit Orange Is The New Black. She was selected to go as Crazy Eyes, who is played by black actress Uzo Aduba, and well, it wasn’t the best look on her, as seen in this People photograph. The outrage followed almost immediately, and this afternoon, she took to her trust Twitter account to issue a “my bad”.
You can check out the full text below…
”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.”
Let me tell you why I think this is a good apology note. It came very very quickly after people got pissed off, and it doesn’t use any “ifs” like, “if you were offended” or “if it hurt people”. Judging by the reaction, it clearly had that effect on some fans; so, better to simply cut the issue off at the pass rather than let it fester at all.
Besides, in her defense, while the costume wasn’t really appropriate, she did go with a large group of people, and it’s very clear she was trying to celebrate how much she loves the program in her own misguided way.
Here’s to hoping this is the last time we hear about this drama drama.
