Sid Vicious was an influential part of the music world and, despite his issues with drugs and the infamous, brutal murder of his girlfriend Nancy Spungen–for which he was a suspect until his deadly overdose–is still revered today, decades after his death. However, a Halloween costume based on his likeness has two celebrities in trouble, and they have issued an apology on Instagram.
Harry Hamlin and wife Lisa Rinna dressed as Sid and Nancy for the holiday weekend, and while the idea might have been well-intentioned, the result caused outrage. While Rinna went with a platinum wig and heavy makeup to copy Nancy’s look, Hamlin wore a padlock necklace, leather pants, and a swastika shirt. Although Vicious wore a similar shirt at one time, the design garnered backlash for the couple, who took to Instagram to make amends.
“If I hurt you we were being authentic to the characters of Sid and Nancy for our Halloween costumes. It hurt and angered many of you and we are deeply sorry for that. That was never our intention. We did not mean to offend. With love, Lisa and Harry.”
The original shirt Vicious wore was designed by Malcolm McLaren–onetime manager of The Sex Pistols–and was auctioned off in 2010.
“This iconic piece of clothing is one of the most memorable worn by Sid Vicious. It sums up everything that punk and the Sex Pistols stood for: rebellion, controversy and provocation,” said seller Helen Hall.