Martha Stewart said she is distressed that her Halloween costume offended people, after a photo of her dressed as a homeless person drew heavy criticism online. She posted the image on Instagram on Saturday, October 31, and deleted it as the backlash grew.
The photo showed Stewart in ripped jeans and a tattered outfit, with makeup made to look like dirt on her face. She held a sign reading “I AM HUNGRY HELP ME!!”. Reports said the image appeared in a carousel promoting candles she sells through QVC, and screenshots kept circulating after she removed the post.
Critics said the costume made light of poverty. Stewart answered in a statement shared with Page Six on Sunday, November 1. She said the costume was intended to bring more awareness to homelessness, and that offending people was never her intention.
“Homelessness continues to remain one of America’s greatest challenges and ongoing crises,” Stewart said in the statement. She added that she has spent significant time supporting charities that combat homelessness, and said she is committed to continuing to make a difference.
Stewart stopped short of a direct apology in the statement, according to reports. The criticism continued on social media through Sunday, including on an unrelated post on her Instagram account.
Source: People
