HALLOWEEN COSTUMES YOU DON’T WANT YOUR AGENT TO SEE YOU IN
Halloween is today and everyone is gearing up to celebrate! We expect no shortage of “Frozen” or superhero themed costumes this year. But there is one thing people seem to forget every year when it comes to costumes: which ones they shouldn’t wear. Here are some tips on what costumes you should avoid if you want to keep your agent…and your friends.
- Avoid blackface. Or any “changing your skin tone” costume for that matter. (Exceptions for extra terrestrials)
Simple as that. If for some reason you are convinced that you need to darken your skin to wear a n outfit, it’s probably the wrong costume. There are thousands of articles you can read if you still don’t get why it’s a problem. Here’s an article describing just what’s wrong with blackface. (hint: it’s everything) Taking any culture that is not your own and using it to play dress up is never okay. - Costumes that are based on abuse and violence. For some baffling reason people have been dressing up as figures like Ray Rice. Not only do these costumes often involve blackface, but they also mock a very serious problem in the US, and around the world: abuse towards women.
- Costumes that make fun of mental illness. This can range from wearing a straight jacket (which was used to abuse the mentally ill in the past) to dressing up as Robin Williams with a belt around your neck (yes, someone actually did that). Mental illness is never a joking matter.
- A sexy ebola nurse. First of all, a nurse’s outfit that doesn’t cover every inch of skin would be useless against ebola. Second, a disease that is causing world-wide concern having already claimed 5,000 lives in West Africa and infected another 10,000. This also perpetuates the notion that the death of black people does not mean anything to the US.
As an actor you will be in the public eye more and more, and therefore you need to set a good example for others to follow. Agents won’t want to work with someone who is likely to have scandals left and right. Avoiding these costumes won’t just keep your career in tact, it’ll also show that you’re a decent human being. Halloween is no excuse to make fun of serious topics. There are millions of things to dress up as, find those instead.
Take a hint from Katy Perry, who for once is dropping her habit of dressing up as other cultures and is instead going as something dear to us all: a Cheeto.
