Martha Stewart has publicly blamed “Today” show co-host Craig Melvin for the last-minute costume choice that sparked backlash last week.
The lifestyle entrepreneur, 83, singled out Melvin during an onstage appearance Tuesday at the CrossCountry Mortgage Sales Rally in Orlando, Florida, according to footage. Stewart claimed Melvin had accidentally “spilled chocolate all over the sweater” she originally intended to wear during her “Today” show Halloween segment.
With her planned top ruined and “only 10 minutes” to prepare for a holiday party she was attending afterward, Stewart explained that she settled on what she considered the “easiest costume” option available: “a bum.”
Stewart’s remarks mark a shift from her initial response to the controversy, which erupted after she appeared in the costume on NBC’s morning program. In her first defense, she had stated that her intention was to “bring more awareness” to the homelessness crisis.
The costume itself consisted of oversized, layered clothing and accessories meant to evoke the appearance of a person experiencing homelessness. Critics quickly condemned the look as tone-deaf and offensive, arguing that it trivialized a serious social issue rather than elevating it.
Melvin, 45, has not publicly addressed Stewart’s accusation. The longtime NBC anchor has co-hosted the third hour of “Today” since 2018 and regularly appears alongside Sheinelle Jones and Dylan Dreyer.
Reps for both Stewart and Melvin did not immediately respond to requests for comment following her Tuesday remarks.
The Orlando event where Stewart shared her version of events was a corporate gathering for CrossCountry Mortgage, a national home loan lender. Footage from the rally shows Stewart speaking candidly to the assembled sales professionals about the behind-the-scenes circumstances she said forced her hand.
Stewart’s original “awareness” defense had already drawn skepticism from viewers and advocacy organizations, who noted that the costume lacked any accompanying information about homelessness resources or statistics. Her new explanation places responsibility for the incident squarely on an unexpected wardrobe mishap rather than any deliberate creative choice.
The domestic icon has built a decades-long brand on meticulous presentation and perfectionism, making her claim of a rushed, improvised costume solution particularly notable. Her “Today” show appearances typically feature carefully curated looks and prepared segments across cooking, decorating, and entertaining categories.
Stewart is scheduled to continue her promotional appearances through the holiday season.