Halloweekend is just around the corner, and the group who I’m praying for this year are those manning the Boston University mailrooms. Imagine all of the last-minute Amazon shopping sprees going on at college campuses.
Stuck in a TikTok rut this morning, I scrolled past a girl in a tin foil dress dressed as a Chipotle burrito. Students all across the country are getting creative, but can they beat the celebrities and their iconic renditions? I’m here to feature 10 that I think could give everyone a run for their money — or in this case, candy.
Kerry Washington as Lionel Richie (2022)
The legendary American actress who gained massive popularity for her role of Olivia Pope in ABC drama series “Scandal” put on white slacks, a lavender collared shirt, pulled a green crew neck sweater over and called it a day. The best part? Washington donned a signature Lionel Richie mustache as she paid homage to Richie’s 1982 debut self-titled album.
Oddly enough, Washington revealed that Richie was her first celebrity crush while playing a game of “The Fast Timers Club” on the Bravo talk show with host Andy Cohen one September later.
Lizzo as Marge Simpson (2022)
Haven’t seen it? You will be shocked by the utter commitment level Lizzo went to as the iconic matriarch of America’s longest animated television series in U.S. history.
Covered from head to toe in yellow paint and adorning a towering blue wig and gleaming green dress, Lizzo hit the mark. But, what made the costume was her impeccable attention to detail, even adding Marge’s iconic red pearls. This costume earned extensive coverage from Page Six, Daily Mail, E Network and more.
The Carter’s as “The Proud Family” (2022)
Beyoncé, no titles necessary, and her husband Jay-Z shocked social media platforms with their strikingly accurate depiction of 2001 sitcom, “The Proud Family” –– Beyoncé as Suga Mama, Jay-Z as Oscar Proud, daughter Blue Ivy as Penny Proud, younger daughter and son Rumi and Sir as CeCe and BeBe Proud and sister Solange Knowles as Trudy Proud.
This spot-on recreation actually struck very personally to Beyoncé and Solange, who sang the series’ theme song to the original Disney series.
Rebel Wilson and Friends as In-The-Box Barbies (2022)
Unlike Lizzo and Beyoncé’s costumes, all Rebel Wilson needed to hit a Halloween home run was colorful cardboard, plastic and pink. Last year, Wilson attended the Casamigos Halloween party in L.A. as a new in-the-box Barbie. What cementes Wilson’s place on the list is her being ahead of her time. She knew Barbie was the next big thing before any of us did.
Lil Nas X as Nicki Minaj (2020)
Hot off of his breakout year in 2019, American rapper, singer and songwriter Lil Nas X posted a series of images on his Twitter account covered in a neon pink Minaj-inspired bodysuit, neon green heels, and a half-pink/half-white wig. As the new decade emerged, Lil Nas X took us back to what many would say is the “Queen of Rap” in one of her most memorable eras.
Savannah Guthrie as Elphaba and Hoda Kotb as Glinda the Good Witch (2020)
It wouldn’t be very journalistic of me to ignore my Today Show idols, Savannah Guthrie and Hoda Kotb, when they dressed up as one of Broadway’s biggest hero and villain duo. Two years before, Kotb also previously dressed up as Elton John in an all-out throwback. Seeing how much spirit they bring to a New York newsroom –– which can be very distressing –– I am looking forward to what they do this year.
Jessica Biel as Justin Timberlake in *NSYNC and Justin Timberlake as her microphone (2019)
Without a doubt, this is the most ironic costume on this list. During the annual Beverly Casamigos Halloween Party, Jessica Biel capitalized on her once dubious statement that she wasn’t a big fan of *NSYNC by collaborating with Justin Timberlake, who is a former *NSYNC member. Biel showed off a metallic blue bodysuit with tinted blue shades, while Timberlake wore all black, covering his head with a huge dome, painted to look like a microphone.
Stormi Jenner as Kylie Jenner (2019)
The youngest to appear on this list, Kylie Jenner’s daughter Stormi obliterated the 2019 competition when she paraded around her home in a near-perfect replica of her mother’s iconic 2019 Lavender Met Gala look. Not even two years old then, I can’t imagine what Stormi may cook up this year for the public, or will someone like North West take the Kardashian Halloween crown from her this year?
Ciara as Cardi B (2020)
Once again, the pandemic strikes again as celebrities like Ciara created genius virtual costumes. The American singer and dancer created an exact representation of Cardi B’s “Invasion of Privacy” album, with her son Future dressing up as Cardi’s husband Offset. Cardi’s response was nothing but humble and exciting, sharing nothing but love and support to one of her longtime idols.
And finally….Lana Del Rey as a Waffle House Employee
No, I’m totally kidding. But please look up this groundbreaking pop culture moment if you haven’t yet.
Finally for real: Heidi Klum as…a worm? (2022)
Come on, you knew this was going to be on the list at some point. What many would dub the ‘reigning queen of Halloween’, German American supermodel Heidi Klum has shown off her renditions of Jessica Rabbit, Shrek’s Fiona and an older version of herself. But, Klum’s costume designing crew absolutely outdid themselves, covering Klum in a worm costume for her first Halloween soireé since the COVID-19 pandemic began. The costume included a prosthetic shell and a special effects face mask so only Klum’s eyes and mouth popped out. The result went rampant on all social media platforms, making it one of the most talked about spectacles of the season.
So, who was the best? That’s for you to decide. But, for me, I personally can not forget how iconic the Carter’s “Proud Family” costume was. As the spooky season approaches, all eyes are on Hollywood (or should I say Hallow-wood) to see who will be the queen, or king, of Halloween.
