Julianne Hough has apologised for dressing up as a black woman for a Halloween party.

The 25-year-old actress, who is dating Oscar-winning director Ari Sandel, sparked controversy after she painted her face, put her hair in bantu knots and donned an orange jumpsuit to look like the character Suzanne 'Crazy Eyes' Warren from the Netflix series 'Orange Is the New Black,' played by the actress Uzo Aduba, for a costume bash in Beverly Hills on Friday night (25.10.13), but insists she didn't mean to cause offence.

She tweeted on Saturday (26.10.13): ''I am a huge fan of the show 'Orange Is the New Black,' actress Uzo Aduba, and the character she has created.

''It certainly was never my intention to be disrespectful or demeaning to anyone in any way. I realise my costume hurt and offended people and I truly apologise.''

A number of the 'Safe Haven' star's friends also dressed up like characters from the series.

Julianne was also recently criticised for being too harsh while guest judging 'Dancing with the Stars' earlier this month after blasting her childhood friend Mark Ballas' performance with Christina Milian.

She later said: ''I don't know why people are making such a big deal about it. I judge the same way I teach so it all comes from love. It's not to diss anybody. It's not to hurt anybody's feelings. It's about constructive criticism so that they can get better for next week and that was not a direct attack to anybody.''