RHONY star Luann de Lesseps apologizes for controversial Diana Ross costume
Luann de Lesseps decided to step out as Diana Ross for the recent premiere of Real Housewives of New York. This was her first appearance after she split with her husband, Tom D'Agostino after being married for a period of just seven months. Her Diana Ross costume raised many eyebrows and caused quite the stir.
She was seen sporting a white jumpsuit and a wig looking like Diana Ross as she attended her co-star Dorinda Medley's Halloween party. Her controversial outfit and look were questioned because of the fact that there appears to be darker makeup on her skin.
As reported by PageSix, she said, "I’m Diana Ross because she’s fabulous. Tom is not in tow, so I’m feeling liberated. It’s been a while since I’ve felt my girl power."
De Lesseps castmate Carole Radziwill found de Lesseps outfit rather offensive and disrespectful. "Something’s a little off about Luann’s costume. I think she’s tone-deaf when it comes to cultural stereotypes. She’s generally tone-deaf anyway," Radziwill said.
Bethenny Frankel had her own thoughts to share regarding de Lesseps' controversial outfit. "Luann’s got the balls of a burglar. You’ve gotta give it to her. She gives zero f—ks, well, I take that back."
Before the premiere of the show, de Lesseps spoke to ET and shared, "I had makeup on, but not anything that would make me look– I had like, tanning cream on. I think that the tanning cream, and the big hair piece I have, which was amazing… I was doing my version of Diana Ross."
She also added that she was not at all worried about how her outfit/costume would be interpreted though she did issue an apology once people began to share their feelings. "I was being an impersonator for Halloween. I didn’t mean to offend anyone by being Diana Ross for Halloween, it just didn’t even kind of enter my mind … I wasn’t at all worried about that, and all of a sudden it became a thing," she shared.
Luann has been going through a rough time lately following her divorce. She was also arrested in December for disorderly intoxication and assaulting a cop.