Social-media influencers are under fire this Halloween after several of them posted photos wearing blackface and promoting racist stereotypes. One of the most prominent cases involves self-described comedian Brittany Venti, who posted a photo wearing blackface and holding a box of fried chicken with the caption “When that EBT hit.” The image sparked immediate outrage and sparked online discussion about racism, cultural sensitivity, and the harm caused by blackface.

Venti, who identifies as mixed-race, defended her post, describing it as part of a “satirical bit” and claiming it was integral to her brand. She stated on X (formerly Twitter): “My costume wasn’t just random … it has lore and built up of drama with the black community especially over the past month.” Critics, however, argued that regardless of intent, Venti’s choice of blackface and stereotypical imagery was offensive and not protected by satire. They noted that her racial background did not excuse the use of a historically racist form of costume.

The controversy didn’t stop with Venti. Influencer Lilly Gaddis also wore blackface for Halloween and has a history of making explicitly racist posts. Gaddis described herself as “insanely racist” after being fired from her job for using a racial slur. Her participation in the blackface trend added fuel to the broader backlash.

Online responses were swift and harsh. On X, one user wrote: “We’re witnessing levels of racism not seen since 1962.” Others commented on the pain and confusion such posts cause among Black communities, including parents who feared their children might see or emulate the imagery.

The story has raised renewed questions about how social-media platforms respond to racist content, and about what the influencers themselves were thinking when posting blackface images. The trend has sparked debate about the line between “costume” and racist performance, and about accountability when public figures engage in offensive acts under the guise of humor.