Nina Dobrev Is Being Accused Of Cultural Appropriation For This Halloween Costume
31 October 2017, 14:26 | Updated: 1 November 2017, 11:07
Some fans chastised the star while others came to her defense.
Halloween is always a tricky time of year for celebrities. No doubt we all have past Halloween costumes that we regret. When you're in the public eye, it's far too easy to accidentally choose a culturally insensitive costume and offend a lot of people.
Nina Dobrev, of Vampire Diaries fame, is feeling the heat after posting a photo of herself dressed in calaveras/sugar skull makeup.
via Twitter/Nina Dobrev
This style of makeup is closely associated with Día de los Muertos (Day of The Dead). Día de los Muertos is a cultural celebration rooted in Mexican indigenous traditions. The celebration mainly centers around the remembrance of deceased loved ones.
It is also a huge cultural touchstone for Mexican and Hispanic populations. Anyone who has grown up with this holiday as a part of their culture will tell you that it is definitely NOT "Mexican Halloween".
via MARIO VAZQUEZ/GETTY
Though Nina's costume may be an impressive tribute to the aesthetics of Día de los Muertos, this is precisely where the lines of appreciation and appropriation are blurred.
Some fans are concerned that this piece of Mexican tradition has been turned into a costume.
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