Martha Stewart “Distressed” Over Homeless Halloween Costume Backlash

Martha Stewart is breaking her silence.

After the lifestyle guru sparked backlash by posting a photo of herself dressed as a homeless person for Halloween, she expressed her remorse over the controversy and detailed what she had intended with the since-deleted post.

“I’ve spent decades teaching others how to celebrate Halloween—sharing fun, festive recipes, providing unique craft ideas and giving tips on entertaining and hosting” Stewart said in a statement to People on Nov. 1, “to make the most of one of my favorite holidays of the year.”

As such, she explained, “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.”

In the photo—posted around social media before Stewart deleted—the Martha Stewart Show alum wore torn jean and a plaid button-up under a torn button-up. She completed the look with a beanie, dirt on her face, and a sign on a clipboard reading, “I AM HUNGRY HELP ME!!” (The caption of the post encouraged followers to shop from her QVC candle line.)