Halloween 2026 has delivered some seriously memorable celebrity transformations, with famous faces turning music legends, family members, movie characters and even internet controversies into elaborate costumes. While some stars have leaned into nostalgia, others have used Halloween to make personal statements or poke fun at conversations surrounding their public lives.
From recreating one of Britney Spears’ most iconic performances to turning a Ticketmaster seating map into a costume, this year’s celebrations have offered plenty of surprises. However, not every look has received the same response, with one celebrity family’s historical tribute sparking criticism online.
Paris Hilton recreates Britney Spears’ legendary 2001 VMA performance
Paris Hilton brought back one of pop music’s most unforgettable moments for Halloween 2026, recreating Britney Spears’ famous appearance at the 2001 MTV Video Music Awards.
The costume referenced Spears’ performance of “I’m a Slave 4 U,” during which the singer wore a green outfit and performed with a live yellow python around her shoulders. Hilton recreated the look with a green top, butterfly-print shorts, a jeweled belt and a live snake named Tango.
She revealed the transformation on October 23, sharing behind-the-scenes footage of her preparation on Instagram.
Hilton also expressed her admiration for Spears and acknowledged how challenging the original performance must have been.
“I always had the utmost respect for Brittany, but the fact that she performed at the VMAs with one of these around her neck is the most legendary thing that I’ve ever heard of my life. Especially after experiencing it just in the hallway of my house, I can’t imagine being on stage performing in front of thousands of people with this around my shoulders. That is badass. I love you, Brit.”
The recreation specifically referenced Spears’ 2001 VMA performance rather than her “I’m a Slave 4 U” music video.
Hilton also celebrated Halloween with husband Carter Reum and their children, Phoenix and London, through several family-themed transformations.
Halloween’s Celebrity Party Drama
Costume season has also produced other celebrity stories beyond the outfits themselves, including an incident involving influencer Bryce Hall. For another Halloween-related update, see our Bryce Hall Halloween party fight report.
Paris Hilton responds to criticism over her Beauty and the Beast family costumes
Another Hilton family costume featured characters from Disney’s Beauty and the Beast.
Paris portrayed Belle, Carter Reum dressed as the Beast, Phoenix became Lumière and London appeared as Chip.
However, the family costume generated online discussion after some people questioned why the children had been assigned supporting characters instead of the two leading roles.
Hilton addressed the criticism in an Instagram comment, explaining that the costumes reflected her children’s personal choices.
“Beauty and the Beast is one of their favorite movies,” she wrote, adding that London specifically wanted to dress as Chip because “she said it was her favorite character in the movie.”
Hilton’s explanation made clear that the choices were based on what her children wanted to wear.
She also appeared as Morticia Addams alongside Reum and their children in a separate Addams Family-inspired group costume this Halloween.
Lily Allen turns Ticketmaster seating maps into a Halloween joke
Lily Allen chose a rather unconventional source of inspiration, transforming the familiar Ticketmaster seating-map design into her Halloween costume.
The singer wore a white outfit decorated with numerous blue dots representing seats on a ticketing map. The word “Stage” was also included in the design.
Sharing the look on Instagram, Allen captioned her post:
“Never beating the allegations. #bluedotfever.”
The costume referenced online discussions about ticket availability and changes to her 2026 touring schedule. Fans had speculated about the meaning of blue dots appearing on ticketing maps and whether they indicated weak sales.
Allen’s schedule had also experienced changes, including venue changes and cancellations. Her Auckland concert was canceled after she said she was sick.
Although online discussion subsequently questioned whether ticket sales had played a role, there is no established basis for presenting that speculation as the reason for the cancellation.
Her costume turned the conversation itself into a Halloween joke rather than confirming the claims.
Carson Daly transforms into Ella Langley for TODAY’s Halloween celebration
Carson Daly joined the Halloween festivities on Today by dressing as country singer Ella Langley.
His transformation included a long dark wig styled to resemble Langley’s distinctive fringe and an outfit inspired by the singer’s performance aesthetic.
Daly appeared during the show’s Halloween episode on October 30.
Other personalities also participated in the celebrations, with Savannah Guthrie dressing as an NBC page, Al Roker becoming Gumby and Jenna Bush Hager portraying Phoebe Buffay from Friends, among other transformations.
Daly’s costume stood out for its reference to a contemporary country music artist.
Kim Kardashian dresses as daughter North West
Kim Kardashian went for a personal Halloween transformation, choosing her daughter North West as the inspiration for her first major costume of 2026.
Kardashian revealed the look on Instagram on October 20, recreating elements of North’s recent music-era appearance.
Her costume featured a blue wig, dramatic makeup, a graphic T-shirt layered over a striped top, a pleated skirt, chunky accessories and faux facial piercings. She also recreated North’s recognizable hand-over-mouth pose.
The look drew inspiration from the aesthetic associated with North’s debut music project, N0rth4evr, released in May.
North is Kardashian’s eldest child with Kanye West and has increasingly appeared in the public eye through music and fashion-related projects.
Rather than choosing a fictional character or established celebrity, Kardashian used Halloween to recreate the distinctive style of her own daughter.
Keke Palmer and son Leodis recreate Michael and Janet Jackson’s Scream
Keke Palmer and her son, Leodis, revisited an iconic moment in music history by recreating Michael and Janet Jackson’s looks from their 1995 music video “Scream.”
Palmer portrayed Janet Jackson, while Leodis dressed as Michael Jackson.
The mother-and-son transformation was shared on social media, where Palmer celebrated the opportunity to create another special memory with her child.
She wrote:
“Another memory with mommy and son! I LOVE YOU SO MUCH BUDDY. ITS SO MUCH FUN PLAYING WITH YOU! You will take over the family business, your way, someday. My SCREAM come true.”
The costume combined a nostalgic music reference with Palmer’s enthusiasm for creating themed Halloween experiences with her son.
Owen Thiele and Benito Skinner channel PinkPantheress and Zara Larsson
Overcompensating co-stars Owen Thiele and Benito Skinner chose contemporary pop stars for their Halloween transformations.
The actors dressed as PinkPantheress and Zara Larsson, recreating the singers’ appearances from the “Stateside” remix era.
Their outfits included coordinated clothing, long blond wigs and accessories inspired by the artists’ styling.
The recreation attracted attention from the musicians themselves, with Larsson reacting to the duo’s post. Thiele and Skinner also continued the joke through related social-media content.
Lisa Rinna recreates Kylie Jenner’s Marty Supreme premiere outfit
Lisa Rinna transformed into Kylie Jenner, recreating the orange Chrome Hearts look Jenner wore at the Marty Supreme premiere in December 2025.
Rinna’s costume featured a close-fitting orange dress, a long dark wig, smoky makeup and accessories inspired by Jenner’s original appearance.
She shared photographs on Instagram with the caption “King Lisa,” referencing Jenner’s earlier “King Kylie” era.
Rinna also wore the transformation during an appearance on Live with Kelly and Mark.
The costume received an especially entertaining response from Jenner herself, who commented:
“Thought this was me.”
Alex Consani, Cara Delevingne and Liz Gillies revisit nostalgic screen characters
Several celebrities chose memorable movie and television characters for Halloween 2026.
Model Alex Consani transformed into a Thumb-Thumb from the 2001 film Spy Kids. The unusual creatures are recognizable for their exaggerated thumb-shaped heads, hands and feet, along with their red suits.
Cara Delevingne went in a different direction, portraying Leeloo from The Fifth Element. The character was played by Milla Jovovich in Luc Besson’s 1997 science-fiction film.
Meanwhile, Liz Gillies brought back Disney Channel nostalgia by dressing as Luke from Halloweentown. Gillies has previously become known for elaborate Halloween costumes, including transformations with longtime friend Ariana Grande.
Her 2026 choice focused on the nostalgic Disney Channel franchise.
Serena Page becomes Raven Baxter while Troye Sivan dresses as Woody
Love Island USA alum Serena Page also embraced early-2000s nostalgia, dressing as Raven Baxter, Raven-Symoné’s character from That’s So Raven.
Page recreated more than the character’s general appearance, drawing inspiration from promotional imagery associated with the Disney Channel series.
Troye Sivan, meanwhile, chose Pixar nostalgia by transforming into Woody from Toy Story.
His costume included the character’s familiar cowboy hat, vest, red neckerchief and sheriff’s badge. Sivan captioned his post:
“Spirit Halloween woody.”
Janelle Monáe introduces original Halloween character Phish Boy
Janelle Monáe took a more creative approach by introducing an original character called Phish Boy.
The transformation appeared as part of the Creature Carnival associated with Wondaween in Los Angeles. Monáe’s elaborate costume combined human and fish-like features through prosthetics, scales and exaggerated eyes.
According to Monáe, Phish Boy was created by the performer and longtime collaborator Sasha Glassier.
Speaking to Vogue, Monáe explained:
“They are a hybrid of a human and a fish, and I imagined them as someone you might encounter at a carnival or circus. I love that space where something can be beautiful, strange, and a little unsettling all at once.”
Monáe also discussed the personal significance of transformation, saying:
“I’m choosing to be courageous and transform. How do I get to the next version of Janelle?”
Phish Boy was not Monáe’s only Halloween-inspired appearance this year. Earlier in October, the performer also dressed as Carrie at a Cinespia screening.
McCall DaPron faces backlash over Kennedy-themed Halloween costume
Not every celebrity costume received a positive response.
McCall DaPron, who is part of the upcoming Hulu reality series The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives: Orange County, attracted online criticism after sharing a Kennedy family-inspired Halloween costume with her family.
DaPron portrayed Jacqueline Kennedy, while her husband, Kirk DaPron, dressed as President John F. Kennedy. Their children portrayed Caroline Kennedy, John F. Kennedy Jr. and Secret Service agents.
The costume attracted criticism because viewers interpreted it as referencing the Kennedy family around the time of President Kennedy’s 1963 assassination.
DaPron captioned the Instagram post “Happy Halloween” and subsequently disabled comments.
Critics described the costume as insensitive because of its association with the assassination and Jacqueline Kennedy’s traumatic experience that day.
However, DaPron has not publicly provided a detailed explanation of the costume’s meaning or responded publicly to the criticism in the reporting available as of October 31. Its intended meaning therefore remains unconfirmed beyond the imagery and caption she shared.
The discussion also brought comparisons with a controversy from 2025, when Julia Fox faced criticism for a Jackie Kennedy costume that explicitly referenced the assassination. John F. Kennedy’s grandson Jack Schlossberg criticized that portrayal.
The two incidents have been mentioned together in coverage of the latest backlash, although they should not be treated as identical.
DaPron is connected to the upcoming The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives: Orange County, which is scheduled to premiere on November 12, 2026.
North West’s Halloween Transformation
Kim Kardashian was not the only member of her family to attract attention with a Halloween transformation. For another North West costume story, see our North West Natalie Nunn Halloween breakdown.
Conclusion: Celebrity Halloween 2026 delivers nostalgia, creativity and controversy
Halloween 2026 has brought together an unusually diverse collection of celebrity transformations. Paris Hilton revisited Britney Spears’ legendary VMA performance, Kim Kardashian paid tribute to North West, and Keke Palmer recreated an iconic Jackson family music moment with her son.
Meanwhile, Lisa Rinna, Carson Daly, Lily Allen and Janelle Monáe demonstrated how celebrities can draw inspiration from current entertainment, internet conversations and original creative ideas.
Movie and television nostalgia also remained a major theme, with costumes referencing Spy Kids, The Fifth Element, Halloweentown, That’s So Raven and Toy Story.
However, the reaction to McCall DaPron’s Kennedy-themed family costume showed how historical references can make Halloween celebrations more contentious.
Overall, the celebrity costumes revealed so far reflect the year’s biggest entertainment influences, combining familiar cultural favourites with personal tributes, playful humour and a few unexpected controversies.
Source and research disclaimer: This article has been prepared based on research and the information available in the sources provided below, including published entertainment reports, interviews and social-media posts. Details and quotations have been retained according to the supplied material. The article does not imply independent verification beyond the information supported by those sources.
Sources
- Yahoo News: Celebrity Halloween Costumes of 2026
- E! News: Halloween 2026 Celebrity Costumes
- People: McCall DaPron Faces Backlash
- NBC Boston: Paris Hilton Recreates Britney Spears’ VMA Look
- Parade: Paris Hilton Addresses Family Costume Criticism
- San Francisco Chronicle: Lily Allen’s Ticketmaster Costume
- Vogue: Janelle Monáe’s Phish Boy Costume
- People: Owen Thiele and Benito Skinner’s Costumes
- NBC Washington: Lisa Rinna’s Kylie Jenner Costume
- NDTV: Kim Kardashian’s North West Costume
- TheGrio: Celebrity Halloween Costumes of 2026
- Entertainment Weekly: Celebrity Halloween Costumes of 2026
Featured Image Credit: @kimkardashian / Instagram
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