Martha Stewart has blamed a chocolate spill by Today co-host Craig Melvin for the outfit change that led to her controversial homeless Halloween costume. Speaking at the CrossCountry Mortgage Sales Rally in Orlando on Tuesday, she said the sweater she had planned to wear to a Halloween party was soiled during a Today appearance.
Stewart had appeared on the show on Friday in a white American flag sweater and an Olympic cap, making a spiderweb cake and other treats. She said the top was too dirty to wear later and, with only 10 minutes to get ready, chose what she called the easiest costume option: “a bum.” She added that she looked at herself and decided she appeared hungry and homeless, then made a sign reading “I’m hungry.”
A photo of Stewart in a flannel shirt, cardigan, ripped jeans and beanie, with dirt on her face and a sign saying “I am hungry. Help me!!,” drew criticism on Instagram over the weekend. In an initial defense, she said she wanted to raise awareness of homelessness and pointed to her support for charities addressing the crisis.
Stewart later acknowledged that her earlier response had not gone far enough, saying the costume was insensitive and not funny, particularly as many people are struggling economically. Her representatives and Melvin’s did not immediately respond to requests for comment, according to the original report.
Sources: Page Six.