I Have Really Mixed Feelings About Vanessa Hudgens’ Halloween Costume

Vanessa Hudgens is no stranger to expressing herself; the actress is known as much for her Boho style as her performances. But her penchant for experimentation has also brought with it a swarm of criticism—she’s worn bindis as an accessory, dreamcatchers in her hair to Coachella, and now, the internet isn’t exactly happy with her latest Snapchat. Last night, she posted photos of herself in what looks like a lace wig styled in box braids, and true to form, fans lashed out, calling this another cultural appropriation stunt.

For those unfamiliar, box braids are a style originated and commonly worn by African American women as a protective style for their hair. Black women have been taunted and teased from the playground to the workplace for wearing their hair in traditional natural styles, which some label as “ghetto” or even inappropriate in certain work settings.

Which is why when celebrities or the runways appropriate one of these traditionally black hairstyles and rebrand it is as “on-trend” or “new” it’s not OK. Remember the outrage when the Kardashian-Jenners sisters “started” the “boxer braids trend” (A.K.A. cornrows)? And let’s not forget Kylie Jenner’s infamous quote from Marie Claire’s April 2016 issue, which reads, “I started wigs, and now everyone is wearing wigs”—which was obviously not true. It feels hurtful and disrespectful to see a hairstyle you’ve been slammed for in the past—or maybe even recently!—suddenly being targeted as something to be desired by non-black women.

But this brings me back to Vanessa’s snaps from this weekend. I get that Snapchat is a place where you can joke around with your friends. Some might argue that it isn’t something to be taken seriously, but taking a closer look at Hudgens’ history of dipping and dabbing into other culturally and religiously symbolic fashions—like the dream catcher or wearing saris and bindis despite not having Indian ancestry—and the fact that it’s Halloween, makes me question if Hudgens may be stepping into some unwanted territory again.

Looking at all of her photos, it’s apparent she’s getting ready for Halloween, from the bones on the couch to the cobwebs and the blue light. Could the braids be a part of her Halloween costume? Maybe she’s being Dionne from Clueless? Or she’s just trying it on for fun? But then what about the nails and jewelry that went with the look; is she making fun of…us? As a black woman I had to step back and at least try to dissect.

I can’t read intentions through a photograph that appears on a screen for three seconds—and Hudgens hasn’t released a statement about the snaps—but what I did see is what could be a potentially hazardous Halloween costume. Far too many times this year alone, black women have had to defend ourselves, our culture, our style, our originality that when portrayed by a white woman gets praise. The more important issue here is that my style, my hair, my culture is not a costume. It’s my reality so when you turn it into a costume even if it is just for fun, at some point I will likely be offended. What one day of fun is for you is a lifetime of defense for me.

Honestly I could go insane trying to figure out what Hudgens’ intentions were, and based on what I’ve seen at this point; it’s just not worth it. We’re all allowed to have fun and make fun on our own personal Snapchats. Anyone can wear whatever hairstyle they want as long as they know difference between appropriating and appreciating. But let’s be clear and make it known that appreciating a character versus appropriating a culture are two very different things. And at minimum, if you’re planning on a similar costume, be prepared to have a thoughtful conversation about it.