Martha Stewart is addressing backlash about her Halloween costume as a “hungry” homeless person.
Over the weekend, the 85-year-old lifestyle mogul posted and quickly deleted a picture on Instagram showing herself in tattered clothes with dirt on her face, holding a piece of cardboard that read, “I AM HUNGRY HELP ME!!” according to Page Six.
Although she deleted the post, the picture was circulated online as social media users criticized Stewart for seemingly mocking poor people, especially as U.S. homelessness has risen in recent years. Online comments called the multimillionaire businesswoman “tone deaf” and “disrespectful.”
However, Stewart said Sunday in a statement to NBC News that she did not mean any harm with her costume.
“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 told the outlet.
Stewart, who is estimated to be worth more than $400 million, went on to say that 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.”
“I am committed to continuing to make a difference,” she added.
Stewart’s picture of her costume seemed to be shared accidentally, as it was included in a carousel promoting her candle collection on QVC. In the caption of the post, she wrote, “My QVC candles are perfect for Halloween!!!”
The TV personality’s statement has gone on to spark even more backlash in online circles, as people point out that Stewart did not apologize for offending people with her costume.
“Aah yes, my favourite form of apology: ‘I'm sorry you were offended,’” one person noted on a Reddit discussion thread dedicated to the incident. Another added: “In what world could anyone, even the most out-of-touch rich person alive, think this is okay?”
Another suggested, “Oh it’s for advocacy, huh? Prove it. Show us a fat donation to your local shelters or other non-profits to support unhoused folks.”
On X, one person wrote: “Care? Shame on you, Martha. That's so disgusting! You're being disrespectful and hurtful [of] people who have been homeless.”
“Martha, this is incredibly tone deaf, disappointing, childish, and you need to cough up some change to organizations to help ease this clownery you pulled,” another said.
Representatives for Stewart did not return The Independent’s request for comment.
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