By Salma El-Sakka
Martha Stewart has apologized for wearing a homeless costume for Halloween, acknowledging she "really screwed up" after the outfit drew widespread criticism.
Costume sparks outrage
The 85-year-old lifestyle entrepreneur posted a photo of herself in torn clothing with dirt on her face, holding a sign reading "I am hungry help me!!" She initially said the costume was intended to raise awareness about homelessness, but deleted the image after a swift backlash.
Fuller apology follows
In a subsequent statement, Stewart admitted her earlier response was insufficient. "Wearing a costume like I did was insensitive and not funny. I am very sorry," she wrote, acknowledging the economic struggles many people face.
Career background
Stewart rose to fame in the 1990s with her magazine Martha Stewart Living and became a billionaire when her media company went public in 1999. She served a prison sentence in 2004 for insider trading charges, later rebuilding her brand through television shows and product lines, including a partnership with rapper Snoop Dogg.
