Martha Stewart ‘Distressed’ by Backlash to Her Homeless Halloween Costume

Martha Stewart has issued a statement after posting and then deleting a photo of herself dressed as a homeless person for Halloween.

The businesswomen and TV personality shared the photo on Instagram Saturday, showing her face dirtied, wearing ripped jeans and a torn sweater, and holding a blank clipboard that read “I Am Hungry Help Me!!” while standing with two dogs outside of a house.

The photo was included in a carousel of photos tied to her line of QVC candles. The image was quickly met with backlash online and on social media, and deleted soon after.

On Sunday, Stewart sent to a statement to Page Six saying she was “distressed” about the reaction to the photo, adding that it was meant to raise awareness to the issue and not mock it.

“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,” Stewart said.

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“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 that she is “committed to continuing to make a difference.”

The situation hasn’t kept Stewart off social media, as she was back on Instagram Sunday morning with a post about saffron.