Paris Hilton defended after Beauty and the Beast Halloween costume sparks backlash over awkward detail

Paris Hilton’s group Halloween costume with her kids and husband has sparked a social media debate about parenting - and people are seriously divided.

The American socialite and TV personality, 45, who famously has multiple spooky season looks each year, debuted one of her many creations on Monday (26 October).

She shared a slew of photos and videos of herself, her two young children - son Phoenix, three, and daughter London, two - and her husband, Carter Reum, dressed up as characters from the Disney classic, Beauty and the Beast.

While everyone looked amazing, it’s the allocation of roles that seems to have got everyone into a tizz.

Hilton took centre stage as Princess Belle, while her hubby was of course, the Beast; Phoenix was Lumière the candlestick, and London was the teacup Chip (not Mrs Potts, as a lot of commenters seemed to think).

Some fans found it odd that the kids weren’t the main characters and stars of the photoshoot, and one X user wrote: “Cute, but the kids should have been the stars here.”

While a second agreed: “Imagine making your toddler daughter be Mrs. Potts here.”

A third wrote: “Did you just make the little poor girl Mrs Potts, lol,” alongside laughing emojis.

Meanwhile, a fourth joked: “This is what type of mom I'm tryna be. Like no sweetie, mommy's gonna be Belle. You can be her next time.”

A fifth wrote: “Making yourself the princess and your daughter mrs potts is craaaaazy.”

And a sixth added: “My fav genre of influencer (or in this case actual celeb) are ones who make themselves the main character and their kids' side characters. It’s so insane and hilarious.”

Others rushed forward to defend Hilton, though, with one fan demanding: “I will not tolerate y’all senselessly slandering Paris rn!!! Her kids are happy and rich trust me they’re beyond ok with this and most likely have 5 other costumes lined up!”

A second agreed: “I don't mind her being Belle since it is her account not her kids plus she served.”

A third added: “Her and her man being the main characters who are in love while the kids are the cute little side characters that make the movie what it is makes perfect sense, what?”

And a fourth wrote: “Maybe the daughter wanted to be Mrs. Potts.”

Fans of the movie will also know that while Belle and the Beast are the main characters, Lumière and Chip keep her sane in the castle, so some people thought it was a sweet choice.

As well as the photoshoot results, Paris also shared a heartwarming video on Instagram of the little ones reacting to their mum all dressed up as a Disney princess - and they seemed to love it!

In the comments, one fan gushed: “Omg This is the cutest thing! I love them playing with your hoop skirt. Making such sweet memories for those precious babies. Great job Mama!!”

Another added: “Sorry, Paris, but your babies stole the show! So cute!!”

Tyla has contacted a representative for Hilton for comment.