Hilary Duff has managed to have a fairly drama-free life in the spotlight — until now. 
 
 The former Disney darling and Younger star, 29, stepped out for her first public event with her new boyfriend, trainer Jason Walsh. And people were less than thrilled with their couple costume: He wore a headdress and face paint as a Native American “chief “and she dressed as a sexy pilgrim. 
 
 Many fans took to Twitter to share their feelings about Duff and her new beau’s costume choice, especially in light of the ongoing Dakota Access Pipeline protests. Protesters say the pipeline threatens the local water supply and destroys sacred Native American sites, particularly those of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe. 
 
 Protests aside, Native American costumes are generally considered a risky Halloween choice as many people view it as an offensive appropriation of their culture. (Chris Hemsworth even recently apologized for wearing a Native American costume while attending a New Year’s Eve party, saying he was “stupidly unaware” of the offense it would cause.) 
 
 Surprised to see this was taken in 2016 bc 1) wow blatant racism and 2) Hillary Duff. — Sara Marie (@Ms_SaraMarie) October 29, 2016 
 
 No @HilaryDuff Traditional dress is not a costume and you being dressed as a pilgrim proves to me how insensitive and ignorant you are. https://t.co/0NvP6DD79I — ハンナ (@hahannah14) October 29, 2016 
 
 His costume is not okay. 👎🏾 — Small Screen Girl (@KiraJW) October 29, 2016 
 
 Wow. They are grossly out of touch. — AngiePangiPanic (@AngieElliott30) October 29, 2016 
 
 @JustJared @HilaryDuff NO. No no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no. https://t.co/29IWyGOGfM — Eric Honoroff (@EHonoroff) October 29, 2016 
 
 RELATED VIDEO: Can You Guess What Song Hilary Duff Has Stuck in Her Head? 
 
 Duff confirmed her relationship with Walsh earlier this month, when she shared an Instagram photo of the couple smooching with the caption, “Date night with J.” But romance rumors first started last summer after the two were seen partying together following the grand opening of his Rise Nation Fitness Studio in West Hollywood. 
 
 In an interview with Fox 5’s Rosanna Scotto, Duff said, ““We’ve known each other for a really long time and he’s a great guy and we have a lot of fun together,” said Duff. “It’s nice to have that excitement in my life.” 
 
 Reps for Duff and Walsh did not immediately respond to a request for comment. 

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 Our faves just have to be problematic. 
 
 Hilary Duff has long been one of our favourite Disney darlings, and one who ruffles zero feathers. But her costume pick for a Halloween party Friday night is making us cringe. 
 
 Hilary Duff and boyfriend Jason Walsh attend Casamigos' Halloween party in a controversial couple's costume. (Photo: Michael Kovac/Getty) 
 
 Duff and her new boyfriend, personal trainer Jason Walsh, showed up to Casamigos Tequila's costume party dressed as a sexy pilgrim and Native American "chief." 
 
 Where to begin. 
 
 For the last few years, Halloween has sparked campaigns reminding dress-up enthusiasts that cultures are not costumes. And Native Americans and indigenous peoples are often among the most vocal. 
 
 Leave the "Indian princess" costume on the shelf and back away slowly. It's not accurate, cute or respectful. 
 
 The actual historical relationship between pilgrims and Native Americans gives this couple's costume an added ick factor. 
 
 To make matters worse, there are currently thousands protesting the construction of an oil pipeline in North Dakota near Native American land, which activists say would disturb sacred sites and contaminate drinking water. 
 
 Civilians and celebrities have been speaking out in solidarity with Dakota Access Pipeline protesters, including Shailene Woodley, Mark Ruffalo and Chris Hemsworth. 
 
 Hilary, Jason, how have you missed all of this? 
 
 The Internet is not impressed. 
 
 I was just sayin how I appreciate Hilary Duff for being unproblematic pic.twitter.com/E15z2OIrWO — Muna Mane (@LadyOnTheMuna) October 29, 2016 
 
 So is @HilaryDuff and her bf gonna protest that pipeline affected native Americans or ? — Maryam♡♡ (@gmonkeysg) October 29, 2016 
 
 No @HilaryDuff Traditional dress is not a costume and you being dressed as a pilgrim proves to me how insensitive and ignorant you are. https://t.co/0NvP6DD79I — LOOKING FOR CL'S EP (@hahannah14) October 29, 2016 
 
 After the intense backlash on social media, the 29-year-old actor apologized to the people she offended on Twitter, saying the costume "was not properly though through." 
 
 I am SO sorry to people I offended with my costume.It was not properly thought through and I am truly, from the bottom of my ❤️sorry. — Hilary Duff (@HilaryDuff) October 30, 2016 
 
 This was the new pair's first red carpet appearance since the "Younger" star divorced Mike Comrie earlier this year. 
 
 Not the best first impression, but great to own up to the controversy. 
 
 Also on HuffPost 

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– Hilary Duff apologized "from the bottom of her heart" Sunday for the Halloween costumes she and new boyfriend Jason Walsh wore to a Halloween party Friday. The couple—in a photo that can be seen here—were dressed as a sexy pilgrim and a Native American chief, with personal trainer Walsh's costume including face paint and a headdress, E! Online reports. Native American groups have long said that they consider it offensive for their culture to be used as a costume. People notes that Friday was the first time Walsh and Duff have appeared in public as a couple. Critics say the getup was particularly offensive in light of the ongoing protests at the Standing Rock Sioux Reservation in North Dakota, where the tribe says a pipeline project will disturb cultural sites, the Huffington Post reports. "I am SO sorry to people I offended with my costume," Duff tweeted. "It was not properly thought through." Walsh also apologized Sunday. "I meant no disrespect. I only have admiration for the indigenous people of America," he said in an Instagram post. "In hindsight I would not have made that decision."