Neil Patrick Harris is again back in the news due to the Amy Winehouse controversy. Back in 2011, Neil served a corpse-like meat platter at a Halloween party with a note written under it, “The Corpse of Amy Winehouse”.
At the time, Neil had to apologize due to public backlash. Recently, those images have surfaced once again, and people are searching for them once again.
In this article, you will learn all about the Neil Patrick Harris and Amy Winehouse controversy.
Key Takeaways
- Neil Patrick Harris hosted a Halloween party in 2011, a few months after the death of Amy Winehouse.
- Neil served a corpse-like meat platter(made with beef ribs, pulled pork, and chicken sausage) with a note, “The Corpse of Amy Winehouse”.
- The photo surfaced on social media years later, and people criticized Harris for being extremely insensitive.
- Neil had to apologize publicly after the backlash. He stated, “Amy Winehouse was a once-in-a-generation talent, and I’m sorry for any hurt this image caused.”
- Even after the apology, many people are creating a fuss about the image and trying to get fame or views.
Why It’s Trending/Back in the News Now in 2025?
- The old images related to controversy surfaced once again, which often happens with such controversies.
- NPH is frequently involved in such controversies. The other past remarks and frequent controversies kept this incident in the news(even till now).
- Social media makes it easy to “dig up” past events. Many bloggers often discuss past cases while discussing the new ones.
- Some argue that celebrities should be held accountable for past mistakes, even if they happened a long time ago.
How did it all start?
Harris is a dynamic actor known for his unique flexibility and good sense. On the other hand, Amy Winehouse is a soulful singer whose voice defined the love and care of today’s generation.
Even though they are totally different personalities, within a short span of time, but they came into spotlight out of the blue.
So, what are the dots that connect them?
Neil Patrick Harris & Amy Winehouse Controversy
As we know, Neil and Amy Winehouse never worked together. But, there is a big controversy in Hollywood revolving around them to date.
Neil Patrick and David Burtka hosted a Halloween party in 2011. They served a meat platter that looked exactly like Amy Winehouse’s corpse. Some people claim that it was a cake, and the majority is with the meat platter. The platter had the same dark hair and heavy makeup exactly like Amy used to do.
Why are people upset?
Many people are upset with the act of Neil Harris. Here are the top reasons why people are furious with this incident:
- Many people believed that mocking a dead person(Amy Winehouse) after her death is disrespectful.
- Everyone was aware of Amy’s mental health and addiction struggle. Hence, using her death as “party humor” feels tone-deaf or cruel to many.
- Many believed that turning a real person into a “corpse platter” for a Halloween party is not scary or funny.
Apology by Neil Patrick Harris
In a public event in May 2022, Neil Patrick Harris said sorry to Amy’s fans and the entire nation after the meat platter corpse image became a global sensation.
In his statement, he said, “A photo recently resurfaced from a Halloween-themed party my husband and I hosted 11 years ago. It was a hurtful act, and I regret it now.”
People accepted his apology because Harris gave valid reasons and facts. But this incident shows that famous people face the consequences of their bad behavior, especially in the digital era, where news and images easily go viral.
Public Reaction
There are mixed reactions among people about the controversy between Neil Patrick Harris and Amy Winehouse.
Amy Winehouse fans claimed that her death was treated like a joke. Neil should face serious charges for making fun of her.
On the other hand, Harris fans claimed that he apologized publicly, and this controversy should not be discussed further.
Not only this, some neutral people think of Amy as a drug addict and alcoholic. They don’t feel anything about what happened.
Who is Neil Patrick Harris?
Neil Patrick Harris was born on June 15, 1973. Harris is a renowned and charming Hollywood actor. His acting is praised by the audiences, especially as the teen doctor in Doogie Howser, M.D., and in his iconic part as Barney Stinson in How I Met Your Mother.
Details of Neil Patrick Harris
| Full name | Neil Patrick Harris |
| Date of Birth | June 15, 1973 |
| Place of Birth | Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States |
| Profession | Actor, Comedian, Singer, Magician, Producer |
| Husband Name | David Burtka |
| Children | Two – Gideon Scott Burtka-Harris and Harper Grace Burtka-Harris |
| Controversy | 2011 Halloween, “Neil Patrick Harris Amy Winehouse; later issued a public apology |
| Apology Statement | “It was regrettable, in poor taste, and I apologize deeply for any hurt caused.” |
Amy Winehouse
She is a soulful British singer-songwriter. In early 2000, she was the queen of the music industry because of her unique voice(rough, jazzy, and deeply emotional). She won many Grammy Awards for her famous songs like “Rehab,” “Back to Black,” and “You Know I’m No Good.”
She died too soon, in July 2011. At that time, she was around 27 years old.
Left a big hole in the music business and brought up important issues about fame, mental health, and how the media uses celebrities. Many reports and paparazzi make fun of her drug addiction or alcoholism.
Details of Amy Winehouse
| Full Name | Amy Jade Winehouse |
| Date of Birth | September 14, 1983 |
| Place of Birth | Southgate, London, England |
| Date of Death | July 23, 2011 |
| Famous For | Unique voice, emotional depth, and retro style |
| Signature Style | Beehive hair, winged eyeliner, soulful voice, vintage jazz influence |
| Struggles | Battled alcohol and drug addiction; often targeted by tabloids |
| Connection with Neil Patrick Harris | Became the subject of controversy after Harris’s 2011 “Amy Winehouse corpse cake” Halloween |
Want to know the facts behind the Julio Foolio Autopsy? Read this article
Legacy Beyond the Controversy
Neil Patrick Harris and Amy Winehouse are individual personalities known for their work in their respective fields. Their fans praised them for outstanding work, even after this controversy.
Neil Harris is still a part of Hollywood and is working on many projects. Not only this, but he is also working for LGBTQ+ rights.
Amy Winehouse has influenced many artists with her singing style, even after her death. Many art shows and honor shows were held to keep her memories alive.
Conclusion
Neil Patrick Harris & Amy Winehouse’s story shows how hard it is to find the right mix between fame, humor, and respect. Harris’s controversial Halloween prop may have become the scandal, but his public apology and statement saved his image as a famous star.
But Amy’s fans and the internet will not allow him to forget this mistake so easily. He took a decade to make a proper apology for what he did.
What are your thoughts on this? Do let us know in the comments.
Stay tuned with us for the next controversy. Just kidding. Have a nice day ahead.
