The image showed the lifestyle mogul in ripped jeans while holding a sign that read, “I AM HUNGRY HELP ME!!”

NEED TO KNOW

• Martha Stewart dressed up as a homeless person for Halloween, wearing ripped jeans while holding a sign that read, “I AM HUNGRY HELP ME!!”
• The lifestyle guru has since spoken out after she deleted an Instagram post of the look
• Stewart said her costume was “intended to bring more awareness to the very serious subject of homelessness”

Martha Stewart is speaking out after her Halloween costume sparked controversy.

The 85-year-old lifestyle mogul drew backlash after she dressed up as a homeless person and posted a photo of the look on Instagram on Saturday, Oct. 31.

The since-deleted photo, captured by outlets including TMZ, showed Stewart wearing ripped jeans and makeup, giving the illusion of dirt on her face, while holding up a sign that read: “I AM HUNGRY HELP ME!!”

In a statement shared with PEOPLE on Sunday, Nov. 1, Stewart said her costume was “intended to bring more awareness to the very serious subject of homelessness” and she is now “distressed” that the costume left some “offended.”

“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.

She continued, “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.

“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,” the lifestyle guru added. “I am committed to continuing to make a difference.”

According to TMZ, Stewart shared the image of her costume along with photos promoting candles she sells on QVC.

In the caption of her post, she wrote, per the outlet, “My QVC candles are perfect for Halloween!!!”

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Stewart has long been vocal about her love of Halloween and dressing up. In 2024, she said it’s a time she “looks forward to every year.”

“Come September, I’m ready to go apple picking in the orchard and start selecting interesting pumpkins from the patch to display on the farm and around my home,” she continued in the statement shared with PEOPLE, tied to her Halloween cover shoot for Martha Stewart Living.

“This year, my editors crowned me Queen of Halloween!” Stewart added. “As they well know, I truly love to dream up a great costume and get in the spirit.”

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