Martha Stewart, the 84-year-old lifestyle maven, recently opened up about the influx of flirtatious direct messages she has received on Instagram due to her viral ‘thirst trap’ photos. During an appearance on ‘Today,’ Stewart shared her candid thoughts on the situation, confirming that she remains single and happy with her friendships. The former model, known for her provocative photos, began her sexy selfie spree in July 2020 with a sultry poolside snap that went viral. The image, which showed Stewart in a black bathing suit with frosty pink lipstick and shimmery eyeshadow, sparked a wave of attention and praise from fans.
Stewart’s provocative photo stunned fans, who praised the cookbook author’s youthful appearance and deemed the snap a ‘thirst trap’ — a photo meant to show off one’s sexier side. Stewart later revealed that she had received an outpouring of attention after the image went viral. ‘I got so many proposals and so many propositions,’ Stewart said during a 2021 appearance on ‘The Ellen Show.’ ‘But I had to ignore all of them. I’m a very busy person.’
Since her original ‘thirst trap,’ the entrepreneur has continued to up the ante by frequently posting sexy shots. While speaking with People magazine in 2023, Stewart explained that she was inspired by her famous photo, which she recalled was the result of a happy accident. ‘I was trying to take a picture of the beautiful turquoise planter at the end of the pool, but the camera was on me, so I just snapped it,’ Stewart told the outlet. ‘It looked so good, so I posted it,’ she continued. ‘I didn’t know what a ‘thirst trap’ was, but now I do. Now I’m looking for the next thirst trap. I love doing those promiscuous, provocative things, because it’s just fun.’
Stewart’s cultivation of her bombshell image has led to other endorsement deals and opportunities. In May 2023, Stewart made history as the oldest person to appear on the cover of Sports Illustrated’s Swimsuit issue. The then-81-year-old posed in a daring white one-piece with a plunging neckline and a burnt orange cover-up draped around her shoulders. During her recent appearance on ‘Today,’ Stewart, who celebrated her birthday last month, made it clear that she had no interest in discussing her age. ‘We need to wish you a happy birthday, you just turned 84,’ Bush Hager told Stewart. ‘Ugh, why do we need to talk about that?’ Stewart quipped before changing the subject. In her interview for her Sports Illustrated Swimsuit issue, Stewart candidly shared her perspective on the topic of aging. ‘I think all of us should think about good living, successfully living and not aging,’ she said. ‘The whole aging thing is so boring. You know what I mean?’