Why Hilary Duff’s husband dressing up as her ex Joel Madden for Halloween was so controversial
Hilary Duff’s husband took his 2024 Halloween costume to the next level - by dressing up as her ex-boyfriend.
There’s not many men who would actively look like your ex to be funny, but Matthew Koma is one of them.
US teen star Duff and Koma constructed a costume which took aim at her former flame, Joel Madden of the rock band, Good Charlotte.
Now, what you might not know is that when the pair were together, it was a big thing in the press.
Advert
However, despite it being nearly two decades since they were a couple, and the fact that they have both moved on, the two are still friendly.
Duff married singer-songwriter Koma in 2019 and they have four kids together.
Madden wed reality star Nicole Richie in 2010, with the two going on to have a daughter and son.
What you might not know, is that all four of the stars are friends and have celebrated Halloween together.
Last year, Duff posted her costume snap on social media, showing her and Koma in a pair of black MDDN caps, sunglasses, baggy T-shirts and gold chains around their necks.
The Lizzie McGuire actress also painted on a beard, before tagging the Good Charlotte brothers and Richie.
So, why is it controversial that Koma dressed up as Madden?
Well, it’s got something to do with his wife's former relationship.
Namely, it was because Duff was 16, while Madden was 25 years old at the time of their two-year fling.
Their age-gap romance was majorly criticised before they went their separate ways in 2006.
The post was even re-shared by The Simple Life star Richie, who wrote: "Protect @matthewkoma and @hilaryduff at all costs," alongside two crown emojis.
After their costumes were shared online, some Reddit users questioned how Koma could be so relaxed about being friends with a guy who dated his wife when she was a teen.
"Is it strange to anyone else that they’re all friends?" one asked. "I mean it’s on brand for Matt Koma to do a goofy costume like this, but given the context it’s weird."
Another said: "I used to follow Matt but he made such a weird post a few years ago with a pic of him and the Madden bros and saying happy Valentine’s Day Hilary from your two boos. And it just made me so uncomfortable."
A third shared: "Idk man all of this feels like overcompensation for something. Being low key friends is one thing but all the publicity they seek makes it sus to me."
Others thought there was nothing strange about it, replying that the pair are adults now and can be friends if they choose to be.
So, it’s all down to personal preference on that front.
Britt Jones