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Martha Stewart Addresses Controversy Over Homeless Halloween Costume
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In Short: The controversy comes as Stewart prepares for the holiday season, with her statement to PEOPLE highlighting her excitement for Halloween and her upcoming cover shoot for Martha Stewart Living.
Multimillionaire Martha Stewart is facing backlash after posting a Halloween photo of herself dressed as a homeless person holding a sign asking for food.
Stewart broke her silence on Sunday, explaining that her costume was intended to bring more awareness to the issue of homelessness in America.
In a statement to Page Six, Stewart said, 'I am distressed that my Halloween costume yesterday, which was intended to bring more awareness to the very serious subject of homelessness, has offended people, which was never my intention.'
Stewart also shared that she has spent significant time and effort supporting charities that combat homelessness, stating, 'Homelessness continues to remain one of America’s greatest challenges and ongoing crises, something that I care deeply about.'
Critics, however, were quick to point out that Stewart's costume was insensitive and out of touch, with many calling it offensive on social media.
The photo showed Stewart in tattered clothes with a sign that read, 'I AM HUNGRY HELP ME!' and was part of a carousel promoting her range of candles sold via QVC.
Stewart has since deleted the Instagram post, but the backlash continues, with many users on Reddit and other social media platforms criticizing her for making light of the struggles faced by people living in poverty.
One critic wrote on X, 'Definitely tasteless. Of all the things she could have done.' Another said, 'Read the room Martha, people are struggling out here.'
Stewart acknowledged the criticism, saying, 'Wearing a costume like I did was insensitive and not funny. I’m very sorry.'
The controversy comes as Stewart prepares for the holiday season, with her statement to PEOPLE highlighting her excitement for Halloween and her upcoming cover shoot for Martha Stewart Living.
Stewart’s costume is not the only one to cause a stir this year, but it has certainly drawn the most attention and criticism.
Despite the backlash, Stewart remains committed to her cause, stating, 'I am committed to continuing to make a difference.'
What's confirmed
- “Homelessness continues to remain one of America’s greatest challenges and ongoing crises, something that I care deeply about and I have spent a significant amount of time and effort supporting charities that combat this ongoing social epidemic.” Stewart shared she was “committed to continuing to make a difference”.
- The lifestyle guru also described Halloween as one her favourite holidays of the year, adding how she “spent decades teaching others how to celebrate Halloween — sharing fun, festive recipes, providing unique craft ideas, and giving tips on entertaining and hosting”.
- “I am distressed that my Halloween costume yesterday, which was intended to bring more awareness to the very serious subject of homelessness, has offended people, which was never my intention,” Stewart told Page Six in a statement.
- The lifestyle guru has since spoken out after she deleted an Instagram post of the look Stewart said her costume was “intended to bring more awareness to the very serious subject of homelessness” Martha Stewart is speaking out after her Halloween costume sparked controversy.
- “My QVC candles are perfect for Halloween!!!” she wrote in the caption.
- Martha Stewart is addressing the backlash over a since-deleted photo of her Halloween costume, where she appears to be depicting a homeless person.
What's still developing
- US businesswoman, author and television host Martha Stewart has broken her silence after her Halloween costume sparked widespread outrage.
- Know the news with the 7NEWS app: Download today Arrow In an Instagram post that has since been deleted, Stewart appeared wearing old, worn-out clothes, with what looked like dirt smeared across her face.
- “Come September, I’m ready to go apple picking in the orchard and start selecting interesting pumpkins from the patch to display on the farm and around my home,” she continued in the statement shared with PEOPLE, tied to her Halloween cover shoot for Martha Stewart Living.
- But as the 47-year-old grabbed the bag from the top and went to pass it to Stewart, ganache began leaking out of it, landing a drizzle fo’ shizzle right on the Martha Stewart Living founder.
- Sir Patrick Stewart, Legendary Star Trek and X-Men Actor, Dies at 86 • MYC!
- Because no one was eliminated during last week’s Dedication Night, that meant two contestants joined Guillermo Rodriguez and Witney Carson, Ciara Miller and Brandon Armstrong, Taylor Hanson and Britt Stewart, Giada De Laurentiis and Alan, Conner Leavitt and Adele Zaikman and Sarah Jane Nader and Hailey Bills and headed home.