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Julianne Hough apologizes for blackface Halloween costume

Julianne Hough has come under criticism for the Halloween costume she wore to an Oct. 25 party, in which she darkened her skin to resemble a character from the Netflix show "Orange is the New Black."The costume was meant to imitate the Suzanne "Crazy Eyes" Warren character created by Uzo Aduba, and was accompanied by an orange prison suit with ID, a long-sleeved gray T-shirt and her hair done up i
Julianne Hough.
TODAY

Julianne Hough has come under criticism for the Halloween costume she wore to an Oct. 25 party, in which she darkened her skin to resemble a character from the Netflix show "Orange is the New Black."

The costume was meant to imitate the Suzanne "Crazy Eyes" Warren character created by Uzo Aduba, and was accompanied by an orange prison suit with ID, a long-sleeved gray T-shirt and her hair done up in tight knots. 

In a photograph on Us Weekly's website, other friends with the actress and "Dancing With the Stars" dancer are seen wearing matching orange outfits, but no dark makeup; another friend had dressed as a prison guard, holding a baton.

Once photos of her began appearing on the internet, reaction came swiftly on social media:

Julianne+Hough+wore+blackface+to+a+party.+Nothing+screams+Halloween+like+good+ole+fashion+racism.

—+Justin+Stangel+(@Justin_Stangel)+October+26,+2013+

Julianne+Hough+is+gonna+need+something+stronger+than+Proactiv+to+clean+up+her+blackface+decision

—+lawblob+(@lawblob)+October+26,+2013+


And even "Raising Hope" star Martha Plimpton chimed in:

It's+not+hard.+White+people:+Do+not+wear+blackface.+Life+will+still+be+okay+if+you+don't+ever,+ever,+jever,+wear+blackface.+OKAY?+GREAT.

—+Martha+Plimpton+(@MarthaPlimpton)+October+26,+2013+

Hough apologized on Twitter on Saturday:

I+am+a+huge+fan+of+the+show+Orange+is+the+New+black,+actress+Uzo+Aduba,+and+the+character+she+has+created.+(cont)+http://t.co/z5guo2Ogfi

—+Julianne+Hough+(@juliannehough)+October+26,+2013+

The full tweet is at TwitLonger here

"Blackface is always going to be problematic," journalist Touré told TODAY on Monday. "It has this very deep, painful history in America."

Photos of Hough leaving the party show her seemingly without the dark-faced makeup.