ORLANDO, Fla. (Azat TV) – Lifestyle mogul Martha Stewart has pointed the finger at Page Six for her controversial homeless Halloween costume, claiming that “Today” show co-host Craig Melvin indirectly forced her into the outfit by spilling chocolate on her original sweater.
Speaking at the CrossCountry Mortgage Sales Rally in Orlando, Florida, on Tuesday, November 3, 2026, Stewart explained that the incident occurred following her Friday, October 30 appearance on the NBC morning program. Melvin and fellow anchors were honoring NBC’s history during the broadcast, with Melvin paying homage to Snoop Dogg’s duties as an official Olympics correspondent, while Stewart made a surprise cameo appearance.
According to footage of the event obtained by TMZ and reported by Us Weekly, the 85-year-old entrepreneur recalled that Melvin spilled chocolate all over the sweater she had intended to wear later that evening to a Halloween party. Left with only 10 minutes to prepare, Stewart said she looked at her soiled top, deemed it too dirty, and decided the easiest option was to dress as an unhoused person.
“I looked at myself. I said, ‘You really look hungry and homeless.’ So I wrote a sign that said ‘I’m hungry,’” Stewart told the audience, laughing as she added, “Boy, did that go off.” Representatives for Stewart and NBC did not immediately respond to requests for comment regarding the remarks.
The Escalation of a Public Relations Crisis
Stewart’s remarks prolong a significant public relations fallout that began over the weekend of October 31–November 1, 2026, when she uploaded a since-deleted photograph of herself wearing a flannel shirt, a cardigan, ripped jeans, and a beanie, complete with smudged dirt on her face and a sign reading, “I am hungry. Help me!!”
The post triggered widespread condemnation across social media and public figures. “Pose” star Indya Moore labeled her initial justification a “manipulative counterattack,” while late-night host Jimmy Kimmel criticized the choice during his Monday monologue, advising her not to use a costume to raise awareness for social issues while wearing high-end garments from designer brands like The Row.
Initially, Stewart defended the costume by telling ABC News and other outlets that her intention was to “bring more awareness to the very serious subject of homelessness.” That explanation was widely rejected by social media users and commentators, prompting the lifestyle guru to issue a more direct apology on Sunday, November 1, 2026, conceding that her actions were insensitive and not funny.
Broader Repercussions and Public Standing
The unexpected pivot to blaming an NBC anchor introduces a new narrative twist into a controversy that had appeared to be moving toward contrition. By suggesting that logistical mishaps and time constraints dictated her wardrobe, Stewart’s latest commentary risks reigniting criticism from advocacy groups and media observers who viewed her original defense as out of touch.
The lifestyle empire built by Stewart, who was recently named among Forbes’ 250 greatest self-made Americans in August 2026, relies heavily on public goodwill and brand partnerships. Observers note that shifting responsibility for a planned costume decision onto a television colleague may complicate her ongoing efforts to repair public trust following the backlash.
As public scrutiny continues, representatives for both television personalities have declined to offer immediate clarifications regarding the backstage chain of events leading up to the Friday broadcast. Meanwhile, commentators and digital audiences continue to debate the accountability of public figures when themed entertainment crosses into social insensitivity.