Martha Stewart apologises after taking down an Instagram photo of herself dressed as a person living on the streets for Halloween. The post drew heavy criticism online. The American television personality and lifestyle businesswoman, aged 85, described the outfit as “insensitive and not funny”.
What Martha Stewart posted on Halloween
The row began when Stewart posted a photograph showing her in ripped jeans and a black hat. Make-up had been applied so that her face appeared grubby, and she held a placard that said, “I AM HUNGRY HELP ME!!”
She posted the picture to Instagram on October 31 and removed it afterwards. Social media users had accused her of treating homelessness and poverty as a joke.
Further attention came because the image sat next to adverts for her candle range on QVC.
Her first statement on the homeless costume
According to an updated CNN report published on Monday, which followed its coverage on Sunday, Stewart first said the outfit was meant to draw attention to homelessness. She described it as one of the biggest challenges facing America.
On Sunday she told Page Six that the Halloween costume had been meant to draw attention to the grave issue of homelessness. Instead it had upset people, which she never intended: "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."
According to her, homelessness matters a great deal to her. She has devoted a lot of time and energy to backing charities tackling the problem.
Why Martha Stewart apologises a second time
Several hours on, though, Stewart put out a second statement on Instagram, conceding that her first reply had fallen short.
”Owning up to a serious mistake is difficult. What I said before fell short.
Her statement continued: "I know many people are suffering economically. Wearing a costume as I did was insensitive and not funny. I am very sorry."
Plenty of people on social media condemned the outfit. One described it as "grotesque, disgusting, morally bankrupt, incredibly wrong", while another wondered what would lead anybody to pick a person with no home as their Halloween disguise.
How the row unfolded
- On October 31, Stewart shared the photograph on Instagram.
- Social media users condemned the post, and it was later deleted.
- Speaking to Page Six on Sunday, she said the outfit was meant to draw attention to the issue.
- A few hours afterwards, she put out another post on Instagram, in which she admitted that her earlier reply "didn't go far enough".
Who is Martha Stewart?
Through television shows, recipe books, magazines and household goods, Stewart created a business empire and lifestyle brand. She is often counted among the best-known lifestyle figures in the United States.
Her output includes over 100 books, and she has won several Daytime Emmy Awards over the years. Given that standing, the fact that Martha Stewart apologises so publicly has attracted considerable interest.
