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Credit: mpi099/MediaPunch/INSTARimages
Martha Stewart has released a couple of statements after facing backlash for her homeless Halloween costume, which she shared in a since-deleted photo on Instagram over the weekend.
After being labeled “offensive” and “out of touch” for pretending she was in need of help and food, the 85-year-old lifestyle maven, who has been featured on recent episodes of The Real Housewives of New York City due to her working relationship with makeup artist Daisy Toye, 45, reacted to the accusations.
“I am hungry … Help me!!” Martha captioned her IG photo, which was shared on Reddit.
In her photo, Martha, who used the post to promote her QVC candles, was seen on her porch with her two dogs, wearing a ripped cardigan and ripped jeans and sporting makeup on her face that made her look dirty.
After the image was re-shared on Reddit, users of the social media platform flooded Martha with backlash.
“She has $50,000 worth of dog in that picture, and she’s mocking people who can’t afford food,” one person wrote, adding that her behavior was “grotesque.”
Another said, “Her dog food budget would literally change my life.”
“Rich people using poverty as a costume will never not disgust me,” posted a third.
Someone else wondered, “How out of touch does she have to be for this to be OK in her eyes?”
“This is truly disgusting behavior,” another agreed. “The homeless and poor are not costumes for entertainment, they are people who need empathy and compassion. Clearly she lacks all of that, plus common sense.”
After being met with pushback, Martha offered a statement, insisting that the post was meant to bring awareness to homelessness.
“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,” Martha told Page Six on November 1. “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.”
She also said she was “committed to continuing to make a difference.” However, even Page Six itself noted that she had “[stopped] short of apologizing,” and a while later, she offered another message.
“It’s hard to admit when you’ve really screwed up. My earlier statement didn’t go far enough. I know many people are suffering economically. Wearing a costume like I did was insensitive and not funny. I am very sorry,” Martha wrote.
The Real Housewives of New York City season 16 airs Tuesdays at 8/7c on Bravo.
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