Jessica Alba is facing criticism over her Halloween costume inspired by Nancy Kerrigan’s infamous 1994 attack. The Fantastic Four star has since taken down a series of Halloween photos after receiving backlash for dressing up as the Olympic figure skater.
Jessica Alba removes Nancy Kerrigan costume photos after criticism over the 1994 attack
The actress attended a star-studded Halloween party in Los Angeles on October 31, wearing a fake bloodied bandage around her knee as part of her costume. Alba wasn’t alone at the Halloween bash organised by Vas J Morgan and Michael Braun. Her friend Kelly Sawyer joined her, dressing up as figure skater Tonya Harding and carrying a baseball bat as part of her costume.
The 45-year-old posted pictures of her costume on Instagram, only to seemingly delete them after followers voiced their disapproval. As reported by Us Weekly, followers slammed the costume in the comments, describing her decision as “immature” and questioning the need to bring up such a traumatic incident. However, many Reddit commenters came to Alba’s defense amid the controversy. One wrote, “Guys, it’s Halloween; please chill the fuck out, I’m begging you. Are the gory costumes scaring you too?” Another commented, It’s been 30 years; stop the faux outrage.”
The Halloween costumes referenced the January 1994 attack on Kerrigan. A man hired by Tonya Harding’s ex-husband, Jeff Gillooly, and her bodyguard, Shawn Eckardt, struck Kerrigan in the leg with a police baton. Despite her injuries, Kerrigan recovered and competed at the Winter Olympics in Norway later that year. She went on to win a silver medal. Authorities never convicted Harding of planning the attack. However, she pleaded guilty to conspiring to hinder the investigation. The U.S. Figure Skating Association later imposed a lifetime ban on her.
Decades after becoming the center of one of figure skating’s biggest controversies, Harding is now heading back to the ice. The former Olympic athlete is scheduled to perform at Mountain View Ice Arena in Vancouver, Washington, on December 12.
