Former "Dancing with the Stars" pro Julianne Hough apologized on Twitter for donning blackface on Friday night as part of her Halloween costume.
"I am a huge fan of the show 'Orange is the New Black', actress Uzo Aduba, and the character she has created," she wrote. "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."
The 25-year-old actress was portraying "Orange is the New Black" character Crazy Eyes, played on the hit Netflix series.
In addition to the dark makeup, the "Safe Haven" star wore prison orange with a long sleeve gray T-shirt over her hands. She darkened her eyebrows and blond hair, which was styled in knotted nubs just like the fictional prisoner.
E! News reported Hough was joined by several other friends dressed an inmates, wearing matching orange outfits but no dark makeup. A male friend dressed as a prison warden and held a baton.
Hough's move did not go unnoticed. Joan Duvall-Flynn, President of the Media Area Unit of NAACP of Pennsylvania, told FOX411 that Hough has some explaining to do.
"The current racial tensions in the United States require careful reflection as we relate to each other. If her behavior is a political statement, she should explain that," she said. "If her behavior is an act of impulsive insensitivity, she needs, as a public figure, to be more responsible. And, an apology for such insensitivity is appropriate."
Saw a white woman dressed as Dr. Huxtable for Halloween last night. Guess what? No blackface. Awesome costume. Yay!
— Martha Plimpton (@MarthaPlimpton) October 27, 2013
If you understood the history of blackface, you wouldn't defend Julianne Hough. Halloween.or not, its offensive. — Krissssy (@_KrissyO_) October 28, 2013
@juliannehough lost all types of points this weekend . Girl bye your "black face" looked like u had a fight w/ the spray tan bottle
— Nita (@Tiqqlemebadd) October 28, 2013
Hough is not the first star who has come under fire for similar costumes over the years. Actors Ted Danson, Billy Crystal and Sarah Silverman each donned blackface. Others on social media turned to humor to reflect on the situation.
@juliannehough....It was a costume of a character and the character is African American. She didn't have "black face" she had orange face. — laura (@laurakwhiteside) October 28, 2013
Julianne Hough (whoever she is) was more "bad spray tan" than blackface. So what's the fuss? Typical non-drama drama! — Deirdre Halliwell (@DeeHalliwell) October 28, 2013
“@zachbraff: @donald_faison you should go as Julianne Hough for Halloween. I'll be Seacrest.” I'm running low on white paint... — Donald Faison (@donald_faison) October 27, 2013
"Julianne apologized for the costume and it appears as though she did not intend to offend anyone by dressing up that way. The reality is Julianne is too young to have lived through the ugly history of black face and Hollywood," crisis management expert Glenn Selig said. "That doesn't excuse it. She clearly should have known better--or someone around her should have. I don't see this single incident as causing any irreparable long term harm to her or her career."
