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Derek Hough Opens Up About Sister Julianne Hough's Blackface Halloween Costume: "It Wasn’t Her Brightest Moment"

Exclusive! Dancing With the Stars's Derek Hough sounds off on sister Julianne Hough's controversial Halloween costume

By Leanne Aguilera Oct 29, 2013 5:39 AMTags
Julianne HoughDevone Byrd, PacificCoastNews

In the wake of her controversial Halloween costume, Julianne Hough's big brother is coming to her defense.

Derek Hough exclusively tells E! News that Julianne is "mortified" at the backlash she has received for donning blackface while out at a Halloween party Friday, Oct. 25. "She's so apologetic. She's so so sorry and I just hope that we can all forgive her and move on," Hough reveals backstage Monday night at ABC's Dancing With the Stars.

While dressing up as Suzanne "Crazy Eyes" Warren from the Netflix hit series, Orange is the New Black, the 25-year-old actress' dark makeup was paired with a bright orange jumpsuit and prison I.D. badge.

Derek assures fans that it was never Julianne's intention to offend anyone. Hough defends, "She's my little baby sister and she's the sweetest thing ever." The Emmy-award winning dancer adds, "She is just beyond beside herself."

After receiving backlash from the public, Hough took to Twitter on Saturday to apologize for her Crazy Eyes costume, writing: "I am a huge fan of the show Orange is the New Black, actress Uzo Aduba, and the character she has created. It certainly was never my intention to be disrespectful or demeaning to anyone in any way. I realize my costume hurt and offended people and I truly apologize."

Her brother Derek says he hopes the public will not fixate on his sister's lack of good judgment, telling E! News: "Obviously, it wasn't her brightest moment in her life, but hopefully we can move on."

Tune into E! News at 7 pm Tuesday for much more DWTS backstage scoop!

Reporting by Will Marfuggi