Martha Stewart ‘distressed’ as she says Halloween homeless costume wasn’t meant to mock
Martha Stewart (Getty Images)
Martha Stewart has addressed the backlash over her Halloween costume of a “hungry” homeless person, writing that she recognised the outfit was thoughtless and not amusing.
The 85-year-old US lifestyle mogul posted, then deleted, a photo of the costume on 31 October.
The offending image showed Stewart in tattered clothing with makeup on her face to look like dirt, holding a sign reading “I AM HUNGRY HELP ME!!”
On 1 November, Stewart issued a statement saying the costume was not intended as a joke at anyone else’s expense.
“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,” she said.
‘It’s hard to admit when you’ve really screwed up’
In a later Instagram message, Stewart acknowledged the reaction and said her earlier response was not enough.
“It’s hard to admit when you’ve really screwed up. My earlier statement didn’t go far enough,” she wrote.
She continued: “I know many people are economically struggling. Wearing a costume like I did was insensitive and not funny. I’m very sorry.”
‘Committed to continuing to make a difference’
Stewart also said: “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.”
The star, who has been appearing on the most recent season of The Real Housewives of New York City as a guest, added that she was “committed to continuing to make a difference”.
She was criticised for being “out of touch” by posting the photo.
Actress Indya Moore was among those who publicly criticised the costume. Moore said: “A rich woman dressed up as a hungry, homeless person brings more awareness to how out of touch and apathetic wealth makes people than it does motivate people to empathise and activate,” adding: “Your excuse is not believable.”
The television personality, best known for Martha Stewart Living, is estimated to have a net worth of $400million (£297.9m).
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