Martha Stewart is addressing the backlash over her controversial Halloween costume, saying she intended to "bring more awareness" to homelessness .
The 85-year-old businesswoman and television personality sparked outrage after sharing — and later deleting — a photo of herself dressed in ripped jeans, a distressed button-down shirt, with a sign that read, "I AM HUNGRY. HELP ME!!"
The image was included in an Instagram carousel promoting Stewart’s QVC candles. The post was quickly removed after a wave of criticism flooded her comment section.
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Stewart later addressed the controversy in a statement to Page Six .
"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 said.
"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.
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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. "I am committed to continuing to make a difference."
Despite Stewart’s explanation, the costume continued to spark criticism online.
"Definitely tasteless. Of all the things she could have done," one person wrote on X .
"Really? Is she that dense and misguided? You NEVER dress up as someone poor, sick or in dire circumstances. Never a fan but now disgusted," another person wrote .
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"Just say that you’re sorry and you didn’t mean to upset anyone. It was just a poorly thought-out costume. Pretending that it was to raise awareness is just a very stupid lie," a critic wrote on Reddit.
"OMG, that’s the best she could come up with? Very lazy and condescending, thinking anyone would believe this explanation," another person added.
Others defended Stewart and argued that people were taking the costume too seriously.
"Gawd … people are way too sensitive!" one person wrote .
Another user described the costume as being "in good fun" and wrote, "Leave her the f— alone."
"People are so thin-skinned. It’s Halloween and it’s a joke," another person wrote .
A representative for Stewart did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital's request for comment.