Olympic skier Gus Kenworthy apologises for ‘culturally insensitive’ Halloween costume
Newly-out Olympic freestyle skier Gus Kenworthy has apologised for posting a picture of an “insensitive” Halloween costume.
US skier Kenworthy, who picked up a silver medal during Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia, came out as gay last month.
The athlete posted a photo to Instagram of himself scantily-clad in a native American headdress for Halloween.
He wrote: “Halloween costume number four – two and three weren’t worth posting…
“Anddd for everyone giving me grief, I don’t really understand why this is racist or cultural appropriation – it’s Halloween! Just having fun!”
He later responded to Buzzfeed writer Matt Bellassai, who tweeted: “I had to unfollow three hot guys on Instagram for dressing as native Americans for Halloween and each one broke my tiny heart.
“One of them was the hot ski guy who just came out as gay and that one hurt the most BUT WE MUST HOLD HOT MEN TO A HIGHER STANDARD.”
Kenworthy responded: “Didn’t realize I was being offensive & didn’t mean to marginalize or appropriate Native American culture. Sorry! Pic deleted.”
He has since removed the picture from Instagram – though he’s got other scantily-clad Halloween costumes lined up anyway.
…sorry, we got distracted for a moment there.
The Olympian previously discussed the difficulties of navigating his sexuality whilst at the games in Russia – often telling reporters he was straight, despite his boyfriend being present.
He said: “Part of [the stress] is the fact that I’ve never had a TV boyfriend. That’s actually something I want so bad – a TV boyfriend.”
