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Martha Stewart Addresses Controversy Over Homeless Halloween Costume
Confirmed
In Short: Lifestyle mogul Martha Stewart has issued an apology for her controversial Halloween costume depicting a homeless person.
Lifestyle mogul Martha Stewart has issued an apology for her controversial Halloween costume, which depicted her as a homeless person holding a sign that read, 'I am hungry help me!!'.
Stewart posted the photo on Instagram, which has since been deleted, sparking widespread outrage. The multimillionaire faced criticism for appearing to make light of the struggles faced by people living in poverty.
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 added, 'Wearing a costume like I did was insensitive and not funny. I’m very sorry.' She emphasized her commitment to 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 and I have spent a significant amount of time and effort supporting charities that combat this ongoing social epidemic.'
Critics on social media and in various news outlets expressed their disappointment and frustration. One Reddit user commented, 'Read the room Martha, people are struggling out here,' while another said, 'Definitely tasteless. Of all the things she could have done.'
Stewart’s costume was part of a carousel of images promoting her range of candles sold via QVC. She also shared her Halloween cover shoot for Martha Stewart Living, where she discussed her love for the holiday and her festive recipes and craft ideas.
The backlash against Stewart’s costume is not an isolated incident. Other celebrities have also faced criticism for their Halloween choices this year.
Stewart’s apology comes after days of public criticism and a significant social media backlash, with the photo continuing to circulate on Reddit and other platforms.
Despite the controversy, Stewart remains committed to her cause, stating, 'I am committed to continuing to make a difference' in addressing homelessness.
What this adds
Stewart’s apology falls short of a full apology, as she did not explicitly say she was sorry for the insensitivity of her costume.
Background
Lifestyle mogul Martha Stewart addressed the backlash over her Halloween costume by issuing an apology.
Lifestyle mogul Martha Stewart has addressed the backlash over her controversial Halloween costume, which depicted her as a homeless person holding a sign that read.
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”.
- “Read the room Martha, people are struggling out here,” another 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 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.
- On Sunday, Stewart issued a statement to media outlets including Page Six and People magazine explaining the costume, but fell short of apologising.
What's still developing
- 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.
- Others took issue with the fact that Stewart, whose estimated net worth is $US400 million, appeared to make light of the struggles faced by people living in poverty.
- “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.
- "This sartorial take on a homeless person is a lot. Insulting. Demeaning. Confusing. All of the above," PR expert Molly McPherson wrote, external.
- Days after the lifestyle guru received backlash for posting a photo of herself dressed as a homeless person for Halloween, she explained her thought process behind the costume, claiming it was the result of Today host Craig Melvin accidentally getting chocolate on her during the show’s Oct. 30 episode.