STREAM EXCLUSIVE ORIGINALS

Laverne Cox: Julianne Hough's Ignorance About Blackface is "Really Sad"

Still, OITNB actress says she "wasn't offended" by Hough's Halloween costume.


Julianne Hough
 has endured a storm of criticism over her decision to don blackface as part of her Halloween costume (she went as the character Crazy Eyes from television's prison dramedy Orange is the New Black), but now she's getting a little support — sort of — from one of the show's stars.
Laverne Cox, who plays transgender hairstylist Sophia in the Netflix series, tells Us Weekly that she "wasn't offended" by Hough's Halloween costume, but still thinks the former Dancing With the Stars pro displayed poor judgment.
"I thought it was a shame that she is in this country, that she would wear blackface and not understand the historical implications of that," says Cox. "I don't think Julianne is making a specific informed choice to comment on Blackness. I just think it's out of this ignorance. That's really sad." 
The actress and activist kept it positive, though, by adding, "obviously [she's] a fan of our show. I love Crazy Eyes too."
Hough, for her part, knows she did wrong. The dancer and actress posted a statement on Twitter apologizing for her offending costume, and one of her older brothers, Derek Hough (a Dancing With the Stars regular), tells E! News his sister is "mortified" by the backlash. "She is just beyond beside herself. She's so apologetic. She's so so sorry," he adds. 
"Obviously, it wasn't her brightest moment in her life, but hopefully we can move on," he concluded.
Hough isn't the first celeb to come under fire for putting on blackface, but given the negative response she's received, she can certainly be the last.
BET.com is your #1 source for Black celebrity news, photos, exclusive videos and all the latest in the world of hip hop and R&B music.
Click here to subscribe to our newsletter.

 

(Photos from left: Valerie Macon/Getty Images, Devone Byrd, PacificCoastNews)

Latest News

Subscribe for BET Updates

Provide your email address to receive our newsletter.


By clicking Subscribe, you confirm that you have read and agree to our Terms of Use and acknowledge our Privacy Policy. You also agree to receive marketing communications, updates, special offers (including partner offers) and other information from BET and the Paramount family of companies. You understand that you can unsubscribe at any time.