Martha Stewart faced pointed questions from Craig Melvin on Today on Friday after blaming the anchor for the Halloween costume that sparked widespread backlash.
The 85-year-old lifestyle mogul drew criticism over the weekend after appearing at a Halloween event dressed as a person experiencing homelessness. Her costume included a sign reading, “I am hungry. Help me.”
Stewart later said Melvin’s accidental chocolate spill during a television appearance had forced her to abandon her original costume and find a replacement with just 10 minutes to spare.
The pair had appeared together on television late last week when Melvin accidentally sprayed chocolate ganache onto Stewart’s white pants. The stained outfit was reportedly part of her planned costume, prompting her to change her look.
Speaking at the CrossCountry Mortgage Sales Rally in Orlando on Tuesday, Stewart recalled looking at herself and thinking, “You really look hungry and homeless.” She said she then made a sign reading, “I’m hungry,” adding that the reaction “went off.”
During Friday’s Today segment, Melvin appeared unconvinced by the explanation and asked Stewart directly, “Why was I dragged into it?”
Martha Stewart was challenged by Craig Melvin on Today after linking him to the Halloween costume that triggered backlash
Stewart previously said Melvin’s accidental chocolate spill left her with only 10 minutes to change her planned Halloween look
“I was making a joke,” Stewart replied. “I was giving a talk about how you had spilled chocolate on me and I couldn’t wear the costume I had planned for Halloween night at this party.”
Melvin reminded her that the incident had already been addressed. “That became part of the story. But I did apologize for spilling the chocolate, and we moved on,” he said.
“I’m moving on now,” Stewart responded.
Melvin continued, “There was no connection between that and the costume later.” Stewart agreed, saying, “Oh, no, no. It wasn’t your fault.”
Stewart explained that she had been invited to a party on Halloween but had not prepared a costume because she had spent the day gardening and replanting trees at her farm.
“Usually, I’m a very elaborate Halloween costumer,” she said. “I’ve had the most beautiful costumes over the years. I didn’t have a costume because you had spilled some chocolate on my white sweater, and I don’t blame you at all.”
Footage from the pre-Halloween cooking segment showed chocolate on Stewart’s $3,000 designer white pants and shoes, while only a small mark appeared to be visible on her sweater.
“It was a joke when I said I blamed you,” Stewart said. “It was stupid—and tone-deaf, or whatever I was, according to my grandson. I was tone-deaf.”
“I was making a joke,” Stewart told Melvin during the interview
The media personality faced backlash after posting and quickly deleting a photo of herself dressed as a “hungry” beggar for Halloween
Stewart described her costume during a Tuesday appearance at the CrossCountry Mortgage Sales Rally in Orlando
“Not just your grandson,” Melvin interjected.
Stewart said her grandson had been the first to see the image because she sent it to him for his opinion. “I said, ‘What do you think?’ And he said, ‘Tone-deaf.’ It was just stupid, and I apologized.”
She stressed that she was not trying to mock anyone or minimize the serious challenges facing people experiencing homelessness across the country.
Stewart also said she hoped the “new administration” would take meaningful action to help people facing hunger and ensure that everyone received better support.
Asked what she had learned from the controversy, Stewart said she would pay closer attention to social issues and emphasized that she cares about the problems facing the country.
“I made a mistake. I was stupid. What else can I say? I’m so sorry,” she said. She added that she hoped her followers, fans and the rest of the country would forgive her for an act she said was never intended to cause harm.
In a statement obtained by Our News Outlet, Stewart addressed the Halloween photo and said she had not intended to offend anyone. Instead, she said, she hoped the costume would draw attention to the serious issue of homelessness.
Although Stewart said she was distressed by the pain the costume caused, her initial statement stopped short of offering a direct apology.
“I’ve spent decades teaching others how to celebrate Halloween—sharing festive recipes, creative craft ideas and entertaining tips to help people enjoy one of my favorite holidays,” she said.
“I am distressed that my Halloween costume yesterday, which was intended to raise awareness of the very serious issue of homelessness, offended people. That was never my intention.”
During the earlier Today segment, Stewart reprimanded Melvin—who was dressed as her friend Snoop Dogg—after he spilled chocolate ganache on her $3,000 white pants
Chocolate could also be seen on Stewart’s white sweater, in addition to her pants and shoes
Stewart issued two apologies after social media users described the costume as “gross,” “out of touch” and “offensive.” She is pictured in 2007
“Homelessness remains one of America’s greatest challenges and ongoing crises. It is an issue I care deeply about, and I have devoted considerable time and effort to supporting charities working to address this social crisis.”
“I am committed to continuing to make a difference.”
Stewart later posted another apology on Instagram, acknowledging that her first statement had not gone far enough.
“It’s hard to admit when you’ve really screwed up. My earlier statement didn’t go far enough,” she wrote. “I know many people are suffering economically. Wearing a costume like I did was insensitive and not funny. I am very sorry. Martha.”
Users on social media quickly saved and redistributed the image across Reddit and X, where it was labeled “gross,” “out of touch” and “offensive.”
The costume drew particularly sharp criticism because Stewart’s fortune is estimated at $400 million.
In 1999, she became the first female self-made billionaire in the United States for a time after Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia went public on the New York Stock Exchange.
Her wealth fell significantly after insider-trading charges led to a five-month prison sentence in 2004, followed by market volatility affecting her company.
Today, Stewart’s wealth comes from real estate, publishing, media ventures and brand partnerships, according to Tasting Table.
The latest controversy followed Stewart’s on-air scolding of Melvin after he spilled chocolate ganache on her $3,000 designer white pants during the Halloween cooking segment on Today.
Stewart wore an all-white ensemble similar to the outfit she wore at the 2024 Paris Olympics, while Melvin appeared in costume as her close friend Snoop Dogg.
