Isla Fisher tried her best to have friend Julianne Hough’s back.
When the Dancing With the Stars pro showed up to a pre-Halloween party in an ill-advised costume that included blackface , Isla tried to give Julianne a heads up that the costume wasn’t such a good idea.
The costume was supposed to be the character Crazy Eyes from the television show Orange Is the New Black , and Julianne Hough went all out. Her costume included an orange prison jumpsuit, a braided hair-do, and darkened skin.
Isla was reportedly “mortified” when she saw the costume and told Julianne she should “go to the bathroom and wipe her face off,” a source told Us Weekly .
“Isla hoped she got to Julianne before photos were taken,” the source added.
But Isla Fisher was too late. Julianne was already captured by a photographer, and the picture quickly went viral. It led to outrage on Twitter and a backlash so intense that Hough issued a public apology .
“I am a huge fan of the show Orange is the New Black , actress Uzo Aduba, and the character she has created,” she said. “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.”
Even Orange is the New Black actress Laverne Cox spoke out, saying she wasn’t mad at Julianne though she was a bit amazed that she didn’t understand why it would be offensive.
“I wasn’t offended,” Cox said after the incident. “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. 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.”
If only she had listened to Isla Fisher at the party.