The most controversial celebrity Halloween costumes

Aubrey O'Day, Julianne Hough and Deryck Whibley have all worn inappropriate Halloween costumes. Photos / Instagram, Twitter

Halloween is coming up and more Kiwis than ever will be trick or treating this year. As far as costumes go, Twitter and other social media have been abuzz with talk of hazmat suits and respirators. We expect to see anything Ebola trending this year - zombies, bloody patients, protective gear...

For most of us, an outfit like this sounds extremely bad taste and disrespectful. But for others, that's what makes it so appealing.

From pregnant nuns to Rihanna with a black eye, for some, Halloween is just an excuse to dress in the most inappropriate, un-PC outfit they can find.

Here are eight celebrities who have shocked with their controversial costume choices over the years.

Julianne Hough

Last year, Dancing With the Stars actress Julianne Hough donned an Orange Is The New Black costume, including painting her face black in an attempt to embody Suzanne 'Crazy Eyes' Warren. The move caused an uproar, and Hough apologised via Twitter.

"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 apologise."

Noah Cyrus

We all know Miley Cyrus likes to push the limit when it comes to being tasteful. And, it looks like daring to bare way too much skin may run in the family. In 2010, Miley's little sister - then aged 10 - donned a not so age appropriate black vampire number.

Noah Cyrus. Photo / Getty Images

Deryck Whibley and Ari Cooper

Sum41 frontman Deryck Whibley was married to singer Avril Lavigne between 2006 and 2009. After the two split, Avril got engaged to Nickelback's Chad Kroeger in 2012. That year, Whibley dressed as his ex-wife for Halloween and his girlfriend, Ari Cooper, dressed as Kroeger.

Kroeger sent the following tweet in response: "Hey Deryck loved the costumes! We were going to dress up as you guys this year but all the parties had celebrity themes haha!"

Bill Maher

In 2006, only a few short months after the death of Steve Irwin, American comedian Bill Maher decided to dress as the crocodile hunter, complete with a bloody stinger sticking out of his chest. He refused to apologise for the bad taste outfit.

"Stop hassling me about my Halloween costume," Maher, speaking on his TV show, Real Time with Bill Maher, said.

"Yes, you've seen it on the internet. I went as the Crocodile Hunter with a bloody stinger in my chest."

Aubrey O'Day

There has been a lot of discussion around non-Native Americans wearing traditional Native American headdresses recently.

In 2012 Aubrey O'Day of the girl group Danity Kane caused offense when she dressed as a sexy squaw for Halloween.

Adrianne Curry

Winner of the first series of America's Next Top Model, Adrianne Curry wore a very ill-advised Halloween costume in 2009. Beehive wig, fake hypodermic needle sticking out of her arm, studded belt - Curry dressed as the late Amy Winehouse and caused quite a stir.

Dwight Howard

In 2010, wealthy basketball star Dwight Howard dressed as a homeless man complete with a sign reading, "Will dance for food."

Chris Brown

Perhaps the most controversial of all. Chris Brown donned a turban and fake rifle to portray a terrorist in 2012. He also tweeted a photo of himself with his friends as members of the Taliban.

So... Chris brown dresses like a terrorist for halloween. pic.twitter.com/Xth53001w5

— anna (@spvnishanna) November 3, 2013

- nzherald.co.nz