Martha Stewart has issued a statement after her Halloween costume, which saw her dressed as a panhandler with a dirt-smudged face, drew widespread criticism online. The 85-year-old home and garden expert wore ripped clothes and held a sign reading "I am hungry help me" as she posed on her porch with her pets.
The outfit was quickly branded "tone deaf" by critics, prompting the star to respond. In a statement to Page Six, Stewart said she was "distressed" to learn her choice had caused offence, adding that she had "intended to bring more awareness to the very serious subject of homelessness".
Stewart Defends Her Intentions
Stewart went on to say that homelessness "continues to remain one of America’s greatest challenges and ongoing crises", something she said she cares deeply about. She noted that she has "spent a significant amount of time and effort supporting charities that combat this ongoing social epidemic", and said she is "committed to continuing to make a difference".
She also described Halloween as "one of [her] favorite holidays of the year", saying she has "spent decades teaching others how to celebrate Halloween - sharing fun, festive recipes, providing unique craft ideas, and giving tips on entertaining and hosting". Stewart has since deleted the Halloween post from her social media accounts.
Context of Economic Anxiety
The backlash comes as American news has been dominated by conversations about economic anxieties in the run-up to the upcoming midterm elections. According to the Pew Research Center last month, 60% of respondents said "they do not currently have enough income to lead the kind of life they want", while over four in 10 said they had trouble paying for basic necessities such as food, housing, daily transportation and medical care.
Stewart, a US veteran, has previously been open about her wealth. At the height of her fame, she was a billionaire, but legal issues saw her convicted on charges relating to insider trading, for which she was sentenced to five months in prison.
Financial Revelations
Recently, she told the Other People’s Business podcast that she earned approximately "$65 million a year in royalties" from a previous deal with Kmart. She said she struggled as her empire collapsed but has since built her business back up.
At the time, she told the podcast: "I fell in a hole, and I lost about $1 billion ... [The] lawyers took me to the cleaners. ... I’m back [now]. I’m pretty good."
