Joshua Goldman
Joshua Goldman
min read · October 6, 2025 · Entertainment

Julianne Hough's Blackface Halloween Outrage: A Decade Later, Still Shocking

Julianne Hough's offensive Halloween costume from 2013 has resurfaced in a Reddit thread

Julianne Hough's Blackface Scandal Resurfaces: A Decade of Denial and Drama

The internet is still reeling from the revelation that Dancing with the Stars pro Julianne Hough, 37, donned a blackface costume as Suzanne "Crazy Eyes" Warren from Netflix's hit show Orange Is the New Black back in 2013. The controversy has resurfaced online, leaving fans and critics alike stunned by her reckless behavior.

According to sources close to the matter, Julianne's intention was to pay homage to Uzo Aduba, the talented actress who portrayed Suzanne on the popular series. However, her execution fell woefully short of respect and empathy. By donning blackface, she perpetuated a racist trope that has been used to belittle and mock African Americans for centuries.

The Dancing with the Stars professional darkened her skin as she dressed as Orange Is the New Black character Crazy Eyes

The photos of Julianne's costume were met with widespread outrage online. Redditors expressed their disgust and disappointment, questioning how someone in the public eye could be so oblivious to the hurt they would cause. One user wrote: "It's like she thought it was okay to just get away with being insensitive and ignorant." Another quipped: "You'd think a PR rep would give her a crash course on basic human decency."

Julianne has twice apologized for her actions, first in 2013 and again in 2021. However, many have criticized her for waiting too long to acknowledge the gravity of her mistake. In her initial apology, she stated: "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."

But this apology fell flat for many. As one Redditor noted: "Apologizing after it's already blown up online doesn't count as a real apology." Another commenter asked: "How could someone so famous and influential not understand the implications of blackface?"

Suzanne 'Crazy Eyes' Warren was played by Uzo Aduba on the Netflix show

Fast forward to 2021, when Julianne faced criticism again over her involvement in The Activist, a CBS competition show that pitted activists against each other. She issued another statement, this time acknowledging her privilege and white body bias.

"I realize now that my actions were rooted in my own ignorance," she said. "However, I want to emphasize that the regret I live with is nothing compared to the lived experiences of so many."

But Julianne's not the only celebrity to have caused outrage with an insensitive Halloween costume. Remember when Chloe Sevigny dressed up as Princess Diana two years after her tragic death in 1997? Or Bill Maher's ill-fated decision to dress as Steve Irwin just weeks after his passing in 2006?

Julianne addressed the controversy surrounding her blackface in a statement shared in 2021

It seems that some celebrities still don't get it – or at least, they don't think the consequences will catch up with them. But this latest scandal has left fans wondering: what's next for Julianne Hough? Will she learn from her mistakes and become a true ally to marginalized communities, or will she continue down the path of ignorance?

Only time will tell, but one thing is certain – Julianne's blackface scandal has left an indelible mark on her reputation. As one Redditor succinctly put it: "You can't just apologize and move on from this kind of mistake."