Fiesta Attire On “Ellen” Ruffles Some Duck’s Feathers
The Oregon Duck embraces a sombrero-clad student during a taping of "The Ellen DeGeneres Show" Thursday, January 6. Photo by Ross Coyle
University student Andrew Seistrup standing with the Sombrero he was asked to remove during a taping of "The Ellen DeGeneres Show" Thursday, January 6. Photo by Ross Coyle
In honor of the Ducks upcoming participation in the Tostitos BCS National Championship Game, UO students gathered to make a spirited appearance, via satellite, on The Ellen DeGeneres Show Thursday afternoon. DeGeneres encouraged students to arrive at the EMU Amphitheater ready “for a fiesta.” But when some students arrived sporting sombreros, not everyone was pleased.
“I noticed they all took their sombreros off before they started filming,” said Sarah Abadi.
Andrew Seistrup said he was asked to remove his sombrero and fake mustache to, as he said, “avoid stepping on any toes.” Staff of The Ellen DeGeneres Show declined to comment on the matter.
Cory Kirshner-Lira, a graduate student in education, was concerned that people would interpret the sombreros and other costumes in a way that “reduced Mexican culture to stereotypes.”
“I don’t think it would ever be ok for me to dress as a white person… but today it’s ok to dress as a Mexican,” Kirshner-Lira said.
Others did not share her viewpoint. “As a Latino, I don’t see how it’s degrading,” said Allan Benavidas, who attended the event dressed in a foam taco costume.
“It’s just fun,” he said.
Bryan Aubineau, a University student in pre business administration, said he thought the costumes were “all part of the spirit” surrounding the event and the national championship game.
Footage from the event, which drew over 1000 students and community members, will appear on tomorrow’s episode of The Ellen DeGeneres Show.
Ross Coyle contributed reporting to this article.
