Martha Stewart responds to backlash over Halloween costume as a homeless person

Martha Stewart has addressed the backlash over her Halloween costume as a homeless person, which sparked outrage online.

Speaking with Page Six after the 85-year-old deleted the photo from Instagram, the multimillionaire lifestyle mogul and cook said on Sunday, the day after Halloween: “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 continued: “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.”

She added she was ‘committed to continuing to make a difference.’

The original image was published showing her dressed as a homeless person in tattered clothing and dirt on her face posed on a veranda with two dogs, while she held up a sign which read: “I AM HUNGRY HELP ME!”

The post was published alongside a carousel which appeared to be promoting the businesswoman’s candles via the shopping channel QVC, with the caption: “My QVC candles are perfect for Halloween!!!”

Shortly before the image was removed from Stewart’s Instagram, it had already been screenshotted and shared on the social media platform Reddit, where many users slammed the costume.

Several critics branded the image ‘gross’, ‘offensive’ and one called it ‘out of touch’.

Stewart had previously described Halloween as ‘one of her favourite holidays of the year’ and had ‘spent decades teaching others how to celebrate Halloween – sharing fun, festive recipes, providing unique craft ideas, and giving tips on entertaining and hosting.’

Stewart also celebrated Halloween by posting previous throwback images of her taking part in the celebration over the years, one of which included her dressed as a ghostly horse rider in 2009.

One showed her in a surfing costume at Bette Midler’s 1998 Hulaween Gala, and another as a comic book character in 2017.

She was dressed in a black wig and outfit while making white chocolate ghosts in an Instagram post made earlier in October.

She also published a video collage of herself dressed in Halloween costumes while cooking over the years with the caption, “When someone asks if I like Halloween.”

Alongside the posts she also included recipes for her fans – including an ice cream pie decorated in the theme of a haunted graveyard.

She was previously in the news this week for celebrating Halloween with the rapper Snoop Dogg.

Stewart was asked to comment by Tyla by email.