Martha Stewart blames Craig Melvin for her controversial Halloween costume

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Martha Stewart has offered a new explanation for her controversial Halloween costume after facing backlash over her decision to dress up as a homeless person.

The lifestyle mogul blamed 'Today' show host Craig Melvin, claiming that his accidental chocolate spill on her white sweater led to her last-minute outfit choice. Stewart shared the story while speaking at an event in Orlando on November 3, days after her costume sparked criticism on social media.

Martha Stewart blames Craig Melvin for her Halloween costume change

Speaking at the 'CrossCountry Mortgage Sales Rally' in Orlando on November 3, Stewart, 85, recalled the incident involving Melvin during the 'Today show' Halloween special on October 30. She said he accidentally spilled chocolate on her white sweater, which she had planned to wear to a Halloween party that evening.

“He spilled chocolate all over my white sweater, which I was gonna wear on Halloween night,” Stewart said. She explained that the sweater was too dirty to wear after the incident.

"Oh god, it’s so dirty. I only have 10 minutes to get dressed for this Halloween party," she said.

“So the easiest costume was to get dressed up as a bum,” the 85-year-old continued. “I looked at myself and I said, ‘You really look hungry and homeless,’ so I wrote a sign that said, ‘I’m hungry.’ And boy, did that go off."

During the October 30 episode of 'Today', Melvin was dressed as Snoop Dogg, while Stewart wore a recreation of her 2026 Winter Olympics look. During a cooking segment, Melvin accidentally spilled chocolate ganache on her outfit.

“Real Snoop would never do that,” she playfully said, to which Melvin quickly replied, “So sorry, Martha.”

Stewart's latest explanation came after her Halloween costume drew considerable attention online. While she presented the outfit as a last-minute decision following the chocolate mishap, the look had already prompted criticism over its portrayal of homelessness.

Martha Stewart apologizes after backlash over her Halloween costume

Stewart faced criticism after sharing a picture of her Halloween look on Instagram on October 31. She wore ripped clothes, a beanie and makeup that made her face appear dirty, while holding a sign that read, “I AM HUNGRY HELP ME!!” She later deleted the picture following the backlash.

In her initial response, shared with PEOPLE on November 1, Stewart said the costume was intended to raise awareness about homelessness. However, she acknowledged that her choice had offended people and expressed regret.

“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,” she said in a statement to Page Six.

She also highlighted the ongoing homelessness crisis in the country and pointed to her involvement in supporting organizations working to address the issue.

“Homelessness continues to remain one of America’s greatest challenges and ongoing crises, something that I care deeply about and I have spent a significant amount of time and effort supporting charities that combat this ongoing social epidemic,” Stewart noted.

In a subsequent apology shared online, Stewart admitted that her earlier response had not gone far enough and acknowledged that dressing up as a homeless person was insensitive.

Her latest remarks have now added another detail to the story behind the costume, with Stewart attributing her last-minute Halloween transformation to Melvin's chocolate mishap.