Martha Stewart Says Craig Melvin’s Chocolate Spill Prompted Controversial Halloween Costume
The 85-year-old lifestyle icon blamed a mishap on the "Today" show for choosing a costume that was criticized for mocking homelessness, and later apologized for the insensitivity.
Martha Stewart, 85, told attendees at a sales rally in Orlando on Nov. 3 that a chocolate-ganache spill by "Today" co-anchor Craig Melvin during a recent morning-show segment led her to improvise a last-minute Halloween outfit.
"He spilled chocolate all over my sweater, which I was going to wear on Halloween night," Stewart said in the video released by TMZ. "So when I picked up the sweater I said, 'Oh god it's so dirty and I only have 10 minutes to get dressed up for this Halloween party,' so the easiest costume was to get dressed up as a bum."
The outfit, posted on Oct. 31, featured ripped jeans, a cream cardigan, a black knit cap and a sign reading "I AM HUNGRY HELP ME!!," and drew criticism for appearing to mock people experiencing homelessness. In an earlier statement to People magazine, Stewart said the costume was intended to raise awareness of homelessness and referenced her charitable work on the issue. She later posted an apology on Instagram, acknowledging that the costume was insensitive and expressing regret.
The incident adds to a broader pattern of celebrity Halloween costumes that have faced public backlash this year.