Sponsored message
Logged in as
Audience-funded nonprofit news
radio tower icon laist logo
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
Subscribe
  • Listen Now Playing Listen

This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.

This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.

Arts & Entertainment

Too Soon? This Guy's Costume Was The Body On The Freeway Sign

freeway_sign_costume.jpg
Too soon? (Photo courtesy of Chris)

One year ago, Congress defunded public media. Now that we're 100% community funded, please become a sustaining member or increase your existing membership today.

It wouldn't be Halloween without at least one costume that gets us up in arms and declaring it "too soon."

After the news broke of the driver whose body was ejected onto a freeway sign on Friday morning, one Angeleno immediately found inspiration. "I read the headline and presumed it was an intensely macabre prank. It shocked me immediately," the costume wearer, who only wants to be identified as Chris, told LAist. "I immediately thought it encompassed a great costume concept: disturbing, relevant, and unique."

Although he was aware many would consider it to be in poor taste, he wore it two Halloween parties and got different responses. "The first was an industry function, and those who understood the reference were appalled and sickened, however, it was more of a 'I hate myself for laughing' reflex," he explains. "At a house party, I was confronted by several people who felt it was an insensitive gesture. I beat those people up."

This wasn't his first flirtation with a Halloween costume in supposed poor taste. "Years ago, when JFK Jr. died, I made an airplane propeller out of styrofoam, and lodged it into my abdomen, splattering my face in fake blood," says Chris.

"Most of my friends thought it to be in bad taste, though they agreed I'm equally as handsome."

One year ago, Congress voted to defund public media, eliminating a critical $1.7 million from our budget every year going forward. But they couldn’t silence us, and we’re not going anywhere. LAist is now 100% community funded and that means we’re taking our future into our own hands and turning to you to keep local reporting strong.

You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.

If this story helped you, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief

Make your tax-deductible donation today