Martha Stewart apologizes for Halloween costume that depicted homelessness
The lifestyle icon admitted on the TODAY show that her disheveled appearance was a mistake and clarified that co-host Craig Melvin was not responsible for the change in plans.
By Ariana Flores ·
Martha Stewart apologized to the public on Thursday for her Halloween costume, which depicted a homeless person holding a sign asking for help. The 85-year-old appeared on the TODAY show to address the backlash she has received since posting a now-deleted image of herself in the outfit on Oct. 31. She acknowledged the error directly to co-host Craig Melvin, stating that she made a mistake and that she was sorry for the reaction it generated.
Stewart explained that she originally planned to wear a different costume to the show's Halloween special on Oct. 30. She told Melvin that she blamed a chocolate spill on her white sweater for the wardrobe change, a comment she later described as a joke. Melvin, who was dressed as rapper Snoop Dogg during that segment, noted that he had already apologized for the spill at the time. Stewart confirmed that she did not hold him responsible for the final decision to wear the ragged outfit.
The controversy began when Stewart shared a photo on Instagram showing her in torn clothing with makeup applied to resemble dirt. She held a clipboard that read, "I AM HUNGRY HELP ME!!" The post also promoted her candle collection on QVC. Critics on social media described the look as out of touch, and Stewart's grandson told her the photo was tone-deaf before she published it. She said she sent the picture to him for his opinion and accepted his feedback.
Stewart released two written statements on Nov. 1 to address the growing criticism. In the first, sent to NBC News, she said the costume was intended to raise awareness of homelessness and that she was distressed by the offense it caused. In a second statement shared on Instagram, she admitted that her earlier explanation did not go far enough. She wrote that wearing the costume was insensitive and that she was very sorry.
The lifestyle icon said the experience taught her to pay closer attention to social issues. She expressed that she cares deeply about the problems facing the country and supports charities that combat homelessness. Stewart is scheduled to return to the TODAY set next week for the annual All-Star Thanksgiving segment.
The original Instagram post has been removed from her profile. Stewart said she was not making light of the economic suffering many Americans face, but she conceded that the presentation of the costume was not funny.
