Hilary Duff and Boyfriend Jason Walsh Slammed for Pilgrim and Native American Halloween Costumes

[Teh One Who Knocks]

By Nicholas Hautman - Us Weekly




Hilary Duff and her new boyfriend, Jason Walsh, took their relationship public at the Casamigos Halloween Party in Beverly Hills on Friday, October 28, and their surprise outing caused quite the stir — but not for the reason they anticipated.

The "Sparks" singer, 29, and the personal trainer dressed up as a sexy pilgrim and a Native American chief, respectively, prompting social media users to slam them for cultural appropriation and reinforcing negative stereotypes.

"HILARY DUFF YOUR COSTUME IS SO YESTERDAY," one Twitter user wrote. Another added, "No @HilaryDuff Traditional dress is not a costume and you being dressed as a pilgrim proves to me how insensitive and ignorant you are."

"Look at how much work dude put into being racist," one fan wrote in reference to Walsh's elaborate costume, feathered headdress and red face paint.

Some social media users also pointed out that the new couple's costume choices were particularly insensitive in the wake of the Dakota Access Pipeline controversy in North Dakota, where thousands of Native Americans and supporters are protesting the construction of a 1,134-mile-long pipeline that would destroy sacred grounds.

"So is @HilaryDuff and her bf gonna protest that pipeline [affecting] native Americans or ?" one fan tweeted. Another wrote, "Dang it, hilary duff. I thought you were one of the good ones."

Duff later posted an apology on Twitter on Sunday, October 30, writing, "I am SO sorry to people I offended with my costume. It was not properly thought through and I am truly, from the bottom of my ❤️ sorry."

I am SO sorry to people I offended with my costume.It was not properly thought through and I am truly, from the bottom of my ❤️sorry.

— Hilary Duff (@HilaryDuff) October 30, 2016

Duff and Walsh's controversy comes just one day after Chris Hemsworth issued an apology for dressing as a Native American at a New Year's Eve 2015 party.

"Last New Year's Eve I was at a Lone Ranger-themed party where some of us, myself included wore the traditional dress of First Nations people," the 33-year-old Aussie actor wrote on Instagram on Thursday, October 27. "I was stupidly unaware of the offense this may have caused and the sensitivity around this issue. I sincerely and unreservedly apologize to all First Nations people for this thoughtless action. I now appreciate that there is a great need for a deeper understanding of the complex and extensive issues facing indigenous communities. I hope that in highlighting my own ignorance I can help in some small way."

No @HilaryDuff Traditional dress is not a costume and you being dressed as a pilgrim proves to me how insensitive and ignorant you are. https://t.co/0NvP6DD79I

— LOOKING FOR CL'S EP (@hahannah14) October 29, 2016

So is @HilaryDuff and her bf gonna protest that pipeline affected native Americans or ?

— Maryam♡♡ (@gmonkeysg) October 29, 2016

I can't believe Hilary Duff looked at her boyfriend and thought "yes this costume is perfect and not offensive."

— noahilistic (@NOAHKEEN) October 29, 2016

We'll be able to set our watches to Hilary Duff's "apology."

Watch.

— Brittany Packnett (@MsPackyetti) October 29, 2016

I was just sayin how I appreciate Hilary Duff for being unproblematic pic.twitter.com/E15z2OIrWO

— Muna Mane (@LadyOnTheMuna) October 29, 2016

When you're thinking of what you should be for Halloween the answer should never be #CulturalAppropriation @HilaryDuff. That was terrible.

— Bre (@AmazingLackey) October 29, 2016

@NativeApprops @JustJared @HilaryDuff Look how much work dude put into being racist.

— Sirius Black (@LkjonesSOC) October 29, 2016

dang it, hilary duff. i thought you were one of the good ones.

— cardad wentz (@hakstols) October 29, 2016

@HilaryDuff pic.twitter.com/jMGoBP5nOr

— halon (@halonsview) October 29, 2016

[RBP]

[DemonGeminiX]

Whiny little cunts.

[Teh One Who Knocks]

Makes me wish I knew Hilary personally so I could head slap her for issuing an apology.

[RBP]

Makes me wish I knew Hilary personally so I could head slap her for issuing an apology.

I am not sure what is worse. If she defends herself, she gets crucified. If she apologizes, it's like feeding a gremlin after midnight.

[deebakes]

who's attached to the booty on the right in the picture?

[Godfather]

"Cultural appropriation" just might be the most irritation P.C. bullshit ever and I only learned the word in the last year What will they think of next?

[RBP]

"Cultural appropriation" just might be the most irritation P.C. bullshit ever and I only learned the word in the last year What will they think of next?

Just remember, without cultural appropriation, rap music would only exist in the ghetto.

[Godfather]

Just remember, without cultural appropriation, rap music would only exist in the ghetto.

I like Rap music, it gets me angry for hockey Don't kill cultural appropriation plz.

I also love sexy girls in Cowboys & Indians costumes, sexy white girls trying to twerk, girls who do yoga, the Chicago Blackhawks, St. Patrick's day, sexy girls in ninja costumes ... lock me the fuck up

[Griffin]

so they would probably think this is racist and stereotypical also.

[RBP]

who's attached to the booty on the right in the picture?

Couldn't find a picture of that one, but the party is called the Casamigos Holloween Party - I think that's Cloony's tequila brand?

[Muddy]

so they would probably think this is racist and stereotypical also.

Bill and Hillary?

[deebakes]