A retired UCLA gymnast, Katelyn Ohashi, has issued a groveling apology after posting ‘insensitive and thoughtless’ photos of herself dressed as Amber Heard, ‘throttling’ a man in a Johnny Depp costume for Halloween.
In the photos posted earlier this week, 26-year-old Ohashi dressed up as Mera, the female superhero portrayed by Heard in ‘Aquaman,’ while a man was dressed as Jack Sparrow, played by Depp in the ‘Pirates of the Caribbean’ movie series.
She faced backlash from social media users for making light of domestic violence after the Halloween costume photos went viral.
‘I am truly sorry for the decision I made with my Halloween costume/post. It was insensitive and thoughtless,’ Ohashi wrote in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter.
The post continues: ‘As someone who has experienced and spoken out against abuse, I understand how wrong it was and expect more of myself. I hope you can accept my apology. I will be better.’
Katelyn Ohashi, 26, apologized after posting photos of herself dressed as Amber Heard, ‘throttling’ a man in a Johnny Depp costume for Halloween
The former UCLA gymnast playfully wraps her hands around the man’s neck in of the photos
She faced backlash from social media users for making light of domestic violence after the Halloween costume photos went viral
In the first photo of Ohashi’s Halloween costume, the man dressed as Depp stands behind Ohashi, who is dressed as Heard, with the caption: ‘Rumor has it that Johnny Depp and Amber Heard were seen together.’
In the following image, Ohashi playfully wraps her hands around the man’s neck, and the caption states ‘nvm’ (never mind).
Ohashi’s Halloween costume alludes to the highly publicized divorce of Heard and Depp, which involved allegations of domestic violence and defamation.
The livestreamed trial, where later the jury ruled that Heard’s accusations of sexual violence and domestic abuse were false and defamed Depp with actual malice, led to widespread discussions on social media.
Many users supported Depp and criticized Heard, fueling debates about domestic abuse and feminism.
The jury ruled last year that Heard’s accusations of sexual violence and domestic abuse were false and defamed Depp with actual malice, led to widespread discussions on social media
Ohashi’s Halloween costume alludes to the high publicized divorce of Heard and Depp, which involved allegations of domestic violence and defamation
Among those disappointed followers and social media users, many pointed out that Ohashi has been known for calling out abuse in gymnastics
Ohashi said she has experienced and spoken out against abuse
Social media users slammed Ohashi’s costume, with some reposting the photos to Reddit and X, formerly Twitter.
‘It’s unfortunate, because she’s been one of the more consistent athletes calling out abuse in the sport, and this shows how little she’s actually thought about the subject beyond her immediate experiences,’ one wrote.
‘She literally majored in gender studies in college! Like, there’s no way in hell she doesn’t know better than this!’
Another chimed in: ‘She studied gender studies at UCLA, she went through horrible things herself as a gymnast and yet she still thinks this is ok.’
Some users even left comments under one of her Instagram posts from two weeks ago after she deleted the photos of her Halloween costume.
‘Cosplaying as a domestic abuse and rape victim-survivor (Amber Heard) for Halloween is neither funny nor cool,’ one wrote.
‘Even if you believed Depp was the victim, what on Earth made you think that he’d find it cool for his fans to dress up as his “abuser”? Would you find it cool if your fans dressed up as you abuser for Halloween? Shame on you! Really disappointed.’
The former member of the USA gymnastics team supported the victims of Larry Nassar and wrote in 2016 : ‘College gymnastics is the reward we receive after years of abuse’
Ohashi retired after scoring nearly perfect at the NCAA Women’s Gymnastics National Championship in April 2019
‘Did you suddenly gain a conscience and realize that making fun of a victim of both domestic abuse and an online smear campaign wasn’t cute or funny?’
Among those disappointed followers and social media users, many pointed out that Ohashi has been known for calling out against abuse in gymnastics.
The former member of the USA gymnastics team supported the victims of Larry Nassar and wrote in 2016: ‘College gymnastics is the reward we receive after years of abuse. It’s the time of discovery, healing, learning, growing, and having the time of our lives.
Nassar was charged with three counts of first-degree criminal sexual abuse in 2016 after he sexually assaulted at least 265 young women and girls under the guise of medical treatment.
Ohashi captured the nation after footage of her floor routine – features several extremely difficult tricks and intricate choreography – went viral in 2019.
She retired after scoring nearly perfect at the NCAA Women’s Gymnastics National Championship later that year.