Martha Stewart Says Craig Melvin’s On-Air Accident Prompted Controversial Halloween Costume
The 85-year-old lifestyle icon blamed a chocolate-spilling incident on "Today" co-anchor Craig Melvin for her Halloween outfit that drew criticism for mocking homelessness, and later apologized.
Martha Stewart told attendees at the CrossCountry Mortgage Sales Rally in Orlando on Nov. 3 that a chocolate-ganache spill during an appearance on the NBC morning program led her to choose a last-minute costume depicting a homeless person. In a video shared by a media outlet, Stewart said the spill ruined the sweater she intended to wear and left her with only ten minutes to assemble a costume, prompting her to add a sign reading, "I AM HUNGRY HELP ME!!".
She recalled that the incident occurred when "Today" co-anchor Craig Melvin, dressed as Snoop Dogg, accidentally knocked over a bowl of chocolate while helping her decorate a cheesecake on Oct. 30. Stewart later added that she wrote the sign after seeing how the ruined sweater looked.
The costume sparked backlash on social media, with critics saying it trivialized homelessness. In a statement to People magazine on Nov. 1, Stewart said the outfit was intended to raise awareness of the issue and referenced her charitable work. She subsequently posted an apology on Instagram, acknowledging that the costume was insensitive.
Stewart was among several public figures whose Halloween attire attracted criticism this year, including Jessica Alba and Paris Hilton, who also faced scrutiny over their costume choices.