Martha Stewart is eating crow this Halloween season. The 85-year-old lifestyle icon found herself in hot water after posting a photo of herself dressed as a homeless person, complete with a cardboard sign that read, “I AM HUNGRY HELP ME!” The image, which was quickly pulled from social media, sparked immediate backlash from fans who called the costume insensitive and tone-deaf.
Stewart initially tried to deflect the criticism with a joke, claiming she had to improvise the costume because NBC anchor Craig Melvin spilled chocolate on her original sweater. But the explanation didn't sit well with many, who saw it as an attempt to shift blame. On Friday morning, during an appearance on NBC's “TODAY” show, Stewart offered a full apology to Melvin and her followers.
“It wasn’t your fault about the chocolate. I made a mistake. I was stupid. What else can I say,” Stewart said, via Page Six. “I’m so sorry and I hope that my followers and my fans and the rest of America forgives me for doing something that was not meant in any way to be a bad thing.”
The apology came after her own grandson was the first to call out the costume's insensitivity. “He saw the picture first and I said, ‘What do you think?’ And he said, ‘Tone deaf.’ It was just stupid and I apologize,” she recounted.
Stewart's misstep is the latest in a series of celebrity Halloween costumes that have drawn criticism. From Erin Andrews' embarrassing moment to the NFL reporter's Bryce Underwood costume backlash, stars are learning that what might seem like a funny getup can quickly become a public relations nightmare.
But not all Halloween looks are controversial. Some have been celebrated for their creativity, like Paige Spiranac's viral video that racked up millions of views, or the Sophie Cunningham look that earned her a massive social media following. Even the Cowboys cheerleaders' uniforms sparked a different kind of debate, showing that Halloween in the sports world is always full of surprises.
For Stewart, the lesson is clear: next year, she'll be more careful with her costume choice. “Suffice to say, Stewart will be a bit more careful with her costume next year,” the original report noted, and fans can only hope she picks something less controversial—and more in line with her usual tasteful aesthetic.
As the Halloween season winds down, Stewart's apology serves as a reminder that even the most well-intentioned costumes can land the wrong way. But with her sincere remorse, she's hoping to move past the incident and get back to what she does best: sharing recipes, home tips, and holiday inspiration.
