Martha Stewart has defended her decision to dress as a homeless person for Halloween, stating the costume was intended to raise awareness about the issue. The lifestyle guru, estimated to be worth $400 million, sparked outrage over the weekend after posting a photo of herself in torn clothing with smeared dirt and a sign that read, "I am hungry. Help me!!" The image was part of a carousel promoting her QVC holiday candles.
Following criticism from followers who called the costume "disgusting" and "disappointing," Stewart deleted the post. She initially released a statement explaining that the costume aimed to bring attention to homelessness, a cause she says she cares deeply about and has supported through charities.
Stewart, 85, expressed distress that the costume had offended people, asserting that it was never her intention. She highlighted homelessness as a significant challenge and crisis in America and reaffirmed her commitment to making a difference.
Later, Stewart conceded that her initial statement "didn't go far enough." In a subsequent apology via Instagram, she admitted the costume was "insensitive and not funny," acknowledging that many people are currently suffering economically. She concluded the apology with a simple, "I am very sorry. Martha."
After removing the original Halloween post, Stewart uploaded a photo of a decorated tree captioned "Happy Halloween !!!!" but disabled comments. Critics, however, flooded her previous posts with reactions, questioning her personal contributions to combating homelessness and suggesting that her public relations team should have advised against the costume.
The controversy is particularly notable given Stewart's substantial net worth, which was once rooted in her company Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia. She briefly lost a significant portion of her wealth following insider trading charges and a prison sentence in 2004, but has since rebuilt her business through various media projects, brand partnerships, and real estate holdings.