Hollywood has indeed contributed to the global popularization of Halloween. Every year, as the world pauses to carve pumpkins with eerie faces and don off-the-rack costumes, Hollywood spares no expense in creating unique, elaborate, and sometimes bizarre custom-made outfits, ensuring they stand out during the holiday. But how far can one really go for the eyeballs? Colton Haynes might say — as far back as the 19th century.

Remember how white performers in American minstrel shows would smear burnt cork or greasepaint on their faces to caricature Black people? Colton Haynes did just that in 2011 — and, predictably, it did not end well.

Colton Haynes’ Halloween costumes have a habit of making headlines, sometimes for very wrong reasons. Back in 2011, he painted his face and body to dress up as Kanye West. Whether he thought it was a tribute to the Grammy-winning rapper or not, the costume quickly earned him accusations of racism, and the photos were promptly deleted. Undeterred, Haynes tried something similar the very next year.

In 2012, Haynes darkened his skin again, this time dressing as Gandhi for the Just Jared Halloween Party in October. He even wore the costume again in early November while out to dinner with AJ Michalka. Unsurprisingly, fans were not having it. Haynes eventually issued a video apology to calm the storm down in 2013 for his Halloween choices. While he probably should have known better than to emulate Kanye West, who is known for his own iconic Halloween wardrobe, he went ahead and transformed into his then-partner—this time, just bringing in the laughs.

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Colton Haynes put his own twist on Kim Kardashian’s iconic lounge shot, which also tied back to Kanye West.

Colton Haynes shares a surprisingly heartwarming bond with the Kardashians. In fact, Kris Jenner even officiated his wedding to Jeff Leatham in October 2017. Making that connection clear in a more playful way, Haynes, in 2018, decided to transform into Kim Kardashian by recreating a famous photo of her lounging in a gray matching lingerie set and Yeezy Boost 350 'Butter' sneakers, meant to promote her then-husband Kanye West's line.

Haynes was fully committed to the look, posing like Kim Kardashian. He wore a gray underwear with a tied-up top standing in for a bra and topped it off with a pair of sneakers. "Haters will say it's photoshopped," he wrote. With a mix of hits and misses over the years, Haynes’ costume impressions are certainly a spectacle to watch. And as Halloween 2025 approaches, one should definitely keep an eye on what the Teen Wolf actor comes up with this year.

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What do you think about Colton Haynes' Kanye West Halloween look? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!