Martha Stewart apologizes and says Craig Melvin was not responsible for controversial Halloween costume

Martha Stewart appeared on the "Today" show on Friday to reaffirm her apology for a Halloween costume that portrayed a person experiencing homelessness. She said the earlier comment blaming NBC host Craig Melvin was made in jest and that she does not hold him responsible.

Stewart explained that the outfit, consisting of torn clothing and a sign reading "I AM HUNGRY HELP ME!!," was assembled at the last minute because she was too busy to plan a more appropriate costume for a party. She acknowledged the backlash, noting that her grandson had warned her the costume was "tone deaf" before she posted the photo on Instagram.

"I don’t blame you at all. It was a joke when I said I blamed you. It was stupid," Stewart said during the interview.

She added that she was not intending to mock anyone or diminish the serious issue of homelessness. Earlier, Stewart had said the costume was meant to raise awareness, but later described it as insensitive and apologized again on Instagram, writing that the portrayal was "not funny" and that she was "very sorry."

During a speaking engagement in Orlando, Stewart referenced an incident on the October 30 episode of "Today" in which Melvin accidentally spilled chocolate on her white sweater. She said she used the spill as a joke to explain why she could not wear the planned costume that night, and clarified that the spill had no connection to the Halloween outfit.

"Why was I dragged into it?" Melvin asked Stewart.

"I was making a joke. I was giving a talk and I just made a joke that you had spilled chocolate on me so I couldn’t wear that costume," Stewart replied.

Stewart concluded by saying she will pay closer attention to social issues and hopes the public will forgive her mistake.