Numerous celebrities celebrated Halloween by sharing photos of their creative costumes via social media.
Among them was Martha Stewart, who stirred up controversy with her particular choice of costume.
‘Read the Room, Martha’
In a since-deleted photo she shared on Instagram, she’s costumed as a homeless person, standing on the front steps of her home in Bedford New York, which is situated upon a sprawling 153-acre estate that’s been valued at up to $75 million.
Her face smudged with dirt, she wears torn, distressed clothing while holding a cardboard sign reading, “I AM HUNGRY HELP ME.”
Given that the 85-year-old lifestyle mogul is worth an estimated $400 million, the get-up was widely criticized as being tone-deaf, with numerous comments on Instagram criticizing her costume.
As the backlash grew, Stewart deleted the post. However, it continued to circulate on Reddit, where she was further lambasted.
“We saw the costume,” wrote one commenter of the deleted photo. “Why do you think poor people dying on the side of the road are a costume?”
“What on earth was she thinking???” read another comment, while a different Redditor wrote, “The level of out of touch is stellar.”
“Read the room, Martha — people are struggling out there,” wrote one commenter, followed by another by someone claiming to be homeless — and unimpressed with Stewart’s attempt at Halloween humor. “As someone who is currently homeless and living in a shelter, this is offensive as [expletive],” the comment read.
Martha Fires Back
Stewart eventually responded by issuing a statement to TMZ, addressing the fracas while stopping short of issuing an apology.
“I’ve spent decades teaching others how to celebrate Halloween — sharing fun, festive recipes, providing unique craft ideas, and giving tips on entertaining and hosting to make the most of one of my favorite holidays of the year,” Stewart declared, claiming that the costume wasn’t meant to be callous, but was her way of commenting on the societal problem of homelessness.
“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,” Stewart added, insisting that she’s “committed to continuing to make a difference.”
Martha Stewart Responds To Halloween Backlash After Costumed as Homeless Person