# Most Controversial Celebrity Halloween Costumes Through the Years > Martha Stewart and other famous stars faced severe online backlashes for wearing controversial and offensive Halloween costumes. - Publisher: Briefzora (https://briefzora.com) - URL: https://briefzora.com/most-controversial-celebrity-halloween-costumes-through-the-years - Published: 2026-11-03T14:49:34+05:00 - Author: Briefzora Desk (https://briefzora.com/author/briefzora-desk) - Section: Lifestyle - Topics: Sun Club, Digital Features, Features, Halloween 2026 - Image: https://briefzora.com/uploads/2026/11/most-controversial-celeb-costumes-after-martha-stewarts-insensitive-bd7xs0.webp ## Key points - Martha Stewart dressed as a homeless person for Halloween and faced criticism for mocking the homeless crisis. - Heidi Klum portrayed the Hindu goddess Kali in 2008, drawing anger from religious groups. - Julia Fox wore a blood-splattered replica of Jackie Kennedy's pink suit last year. - Julianne Hough used blackface makeup in 2013 to dress as a character from Orange Is the New Black. - Hilary Duff and Jason Walsh apologised for wearing Native American and pilgrim costumes in 2016. ## Why it matters Celebrity costume choices often trigger intense public debate regarding cultural appropriation, historical sensitivity, and social awareness. ## Article Every year during Halloween, famous individuals push boundaries to capture public attention with striking outfits. However, several stars frequently cross the line between spooky entertainment and poor taste, leading to intense public backlashes and formal apologies across global media platforms. ## Martha Stewart Homeless Costume Controversy Lifestyle guru Martha Stewart, 85, faced a massive online firestorm after dressing up as a homeless person for Halloween. After posing in tattered clothes with a sign begging for food, the television personality was left grovelling after critics said the outfit was a callous mockery of the homelessness crisis. Martha Stewart initially defended the costume, claiming she had intended to raise awareness about homelessness, but later apologised, admitting it was "insensitive and not funny". Yet the lifestyle guru is far from the first star to severely misjudge the room, with numerous historical examples of [the historic celebrations and events](https://briefzora.com/france-bans-halloween-masks-as-70000-police-patrol-ahead-of-third-weekend-riots) often intersecting with poor costume choices. ## Heidi Klum Dressed as Hindu Goddess Kali Supermodel Heidi Klum drew criticism in 2008 from Hindu groups when she attended her annual party in blue body paint with multiple artificial arms to portray the Hindu goddess Kali. Religious representatives argued that using a revered deity as a novelty fancy dress outfit was deeply disrespectful. Critics emphasised that Kali is worshipped as a sacred Divine Mother, making her commercialised use in a Western party setting offensive. This year, the supermodel, famed for her bizarre costumes, transformed into a giant bloody hand. ## Julia Fox Recreates Jackie Kennedy Assassination Outfit Julia Fox sparked a sharp backlash last year by wearing a replica of Jackie Kennedy's iconic pink Chanel-style suit splattered with fake blood, complete with a pillbox hat and white gloves. The look referenced the outfit worn by the former First Lady when President John F. Kennedy was assassinated in Dallas in 1963. Many social media users condemned the costume, including JFK's grandson Jack Schlossberg, who said on X: "Julia Fox glorifying political violence is disgusting, desperate and dangerous." Defending the choice, Fox insisted the outfit was intended as a tribute to Jackie Kennedy's character. She wrote: "When her husband was assassinated, she refused to change out of her blood-stained clothes, saying, 'I want them to see what they've done.' The image of the delicate pink suit splattered with blood is one of the most haunting juxtapositions in modern history. Beauty and horror. Poise and devastation. Her decision not to change clothes, even after being encouraged to, was an act of extraordinary bravery. It was a performance, protest, and mourning all at once. A woman weaponising image and grace to expose brutality. It's about trauma, power, and how femininity itself is a form of resistance. Long live Jackie O." ## Julianne Hough Wears Blackface Makeup Julianne Hough faced widespread criticism when she arrived at a Halloween party in 2013 dressed as Uzo Aduba's character Crazy Eyes from Orange Is the New Black wearing blackface makeup. The use of dark facial cosmetics provoked instant outrage, with critics claiming it was deeply offensive. Julianne issued a public apology admitting the choice was insensitive and poor judgement. She wrote: "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." ## Lily Allen References Legal Dispute in Medical Costume Lily Allen caused outrage in 2014 when she attended a party wearing medical scrubs and a badge reading "Dr Luke - Gynecology Dept." The outfit came just weeks after pop singer Kesha filed a high-profile civil lawsuit against music producer Dr Luke alleging years of sexual, physical, and emotional abuse. Dr Luke strenuously denied the claims, and the pair reached an official settlement in 2023. However, critics felt that referencing the producer alongside a medical specialty was an exceptionally tasteless attempt at satire that trivialised the allegations of sexual violence. ## Hilary Duff and Jason Walsh Native American Outfits Hilary Duff and her then-boyfriend Jason Walsh were left apologising for their controversial costumes in 2016 when they attended a Beverly Hills event dressed as a pilgrim and a Native American chief. Jason donned a full-feathered headdress and traditional face paint, which immediately sparked accusations of cultural appropriation. Meanwhile, former Lizzie McGuire star Hilary wore a pilgrim top and hat with hot pants and fishnet tights. Following the outcry, Hilary and Jason both issued public apologies, with Hilary acknowledging that the costume was thoughtless. She wrote: "It was not properly thought through and I am truly, from the bottom of my heart sorry." ## Scott Disick Dresses as an Arab Sheik Scott Disick shocked fans after dressing as an Arab sheik in 2014, complete with a traditional keffiyeh and thobe. He captioned a picture of his outfit: "We getting Arab money tonight." The caption and look drew swift accusations of casual racism and cultural appropriation, with one person writing on social media that it was "not funny or cool." The photo was removed from Scott's page, but he did not formally address the backlash at the time. ## Chris Brown Implants Militant Theme Chris Brown sparked fierce outrage in 2012 when he and a group of friends attended a party dressed as armed Islamist militants wearing long beards, traditional robes, and fake rifles. The singer posted pictures posing with weapons and bullet belts, and added the caption: "Ain't nobody F**king wit my clique!!!!#ohb." Many condemned the stunt as insensitive to victims of terrorism. However, his mother, Joyce Hawkins, defended the look on social media, writing: "Halloween is for fun nothing more than just fun. Get a life please." ## Frequently asked questions ### Why did Martha Stewart apologise for her Halloween costume? Martha Stewart apologised after critics stated that her homeless person outfit was a callous mockery of the homelessness crisis. ### What costume did Julia Fox wear that caused backlash? Julia Fox wore a replica of Jackie Kennedy's pink Chanel-style suit covered in fake blood to reference the 1963 presidential assassination. --- When citing, please link to https://briefzora.com/most-controversial-celebrity-halloween-costumes-through-the-years and name Briefzora as the source.