Real Housewives of New York’s Luann de Lesseps Apologizes for Her Diana Ross Costume
Wednesday’s episode of The Real Housewives of New York City sparked renewed controversy over beleaguered star Luann de Lesseps‘ Halloween costume. As first seen in October, the former Countess dressed as legendary singer Diana Ross, with a wig, a white jumpsuit, and bronzer, which many people (including some of de Lesseps’ costars) found offensive.
“I’m horrified,” de Lesseps told Andy Cohen on Watch What Happens Live. “I’m horrified, meaning I never meant to hurt anybody’s feelings. I love Diana Ross, and I totally respect Diana Ross, and it was really a tribute to her, and it was Halloween.”
Cohen pressed her for more info, asking if she considered that her costume might be considered a form of blackface. “I had bronzer on that I wear normally, like the rest of my skin. I’m tan right now,” de Lesseps said. “So I didn’t add anything or would ever, ever, ever dream of doing a blackface, ever. I’m very sorry to everyone out there if I offended anyone.”
De Lesseps first shared a snap of her costume via Instagram in November, with the caption, “new hair, new me I’m coming out,” in reference to Ross’ smash ’70s hit. She faced backlash then, too, with several commenters calling her out for her dark “tan” and bronzer overdose.
Just after the show aired on Wednesday, de Lesseps tweeted, “I would like to clear the air, I love and respect Diana Ross, this was my tribute to her, I was showing my sincere admiration. I in no way altered my skin color and I did not mean to offend anyone.”
I would like to clear the air, I love and respect Diana Ross, this was my tribute to her I was showing my sincere admiration. I in no way altered my skin color and I did not mean to offend anyone.
— Luann de Lesseps (@CountessLuann) April 5, 2018
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(photo via Dia Dipasupil/Getty Images)
