Martha Stewart reveals flood of DMs after viral thirst traps

Martha Stewart says a wave of flirtatious messages has followed her post-viral thirst traps, but the 84-year-old lifestyle maven is careful about how she frames her personal life. During an appearance on NBC’s Today, Stewart told co-hosts Jenna Bush Hager and Rosie Perez that she has received “lots of people” sliding into her direct messages after her provocative selfies went viral. She stressed that she is not dating anyone special and that she remains focused on friendships and her busy schedule.

Stewart’s flirtatious self-posts began with a poolside moment that became one of the most talked-about social media moments of the past few years. In July 2020, the cookbook author posted a sultry poolside shot from her East Hampton home, emerging from the water in a black bathing suit as frosty pink lipstick and shimmery eye makeup framed a coy pout. The caption highlighted the pool as a social hub on a hot day, and the image quickly drew attention from fans who labeled it a thirst trap—a photo meant to show off a more provocative side.

The response to that post was swift and expansive. Stewart later recalled, in a 2021 appearance on The Ellen DeGeneres Show, that she received “so many proposals and so many propositions” after the image went viral, though she said she declined them because she was busy with other commitments. The moment helped launch a broader public conversation about aging, sexuality and reinvention, and Stewart has continued to lean into selfies and editorialized style moments that blend homemaker authenticity with a provocative social media presence.

In interviews over the years, Stewart has explained that the thirst-trap approach was not a calculated shift so much as a happy accident that grew into a personal brand. In a 2023 discussion with People magazine, she described the inspiration for the original photo as almost purely accidental: she was photographing a turquoise planter by the pool and turned the camera toward herself, deciding to post what turned out to be a striking image. “I didn’t know what a ‘thirst trap’ was, but now I do,” she told the outlet. “Now I’m looking for the next thirst trap. I love doing those promiscuous, provocative things, because it’s just fun.” The candid stance has become a hallmark of her public persona, beyond the kitchen and garden pages she popularized for decades.

Stewart’s prolific posting has also intersected with brand and media opportunities. In May 2023, she made history as the oldest person to appear on Sports Illustrated’s Swimsuit issue cover, posing in a white one-piece with a plunging neckline and a burnt orange cover-up. The moment underscored how her public image had evolved from the traditional homemaker and entrepreneur to a broader figure celebrating ageless confidence and luxury lifestyle aesthetics. In her Today appearance, she touched on age only obliquely, steering the conversation toward personal happiness and the value of friendships.

“Happy birthday” greetings began to surface in the conversation during the interview, as Bush Hager noted that Stewart had just turned 84. Stewart herself pushed back on dwelling on age, replying with characteristic humor that she preferred not to focus on the milestone. “We need to wish you a happy birthday, you just turned 84,” Bush Hager said. “Ugh, why do we need to talk about that?” Stewart answered before smoothly redirecting the discussion toward the latest projects and her ongoing curiosity about fashion, home-making, and, yes, the occasional bold selfie.

The exchange highlighted a broader theme in Stewart’s career: aging as a topic reframed on her terms. She has repeatedly challenged conventional scripts about what a person can do at an advanced age, arguing that good living and purposeful activity matter more than a clock’s digits. “The whole aging thing is so boring. You know what I mean?” she told People in a separate interview, a line that has become a touchstone for fans who view her as an advocate for living with energy and curiosity rather than retreating from the spotlight.

Today’s conversation also touched on the balance Stewart maintains between her public persona and private life. While the influx of messages has captivated public attention, she emphasized that she is not dating anyone special and that her circle of friends keeps her happy. “I have lots of friends, and my friends keep me happy,” she said with a coy smile, signaling that her social life remains active but not the center of a romantic narrative. The acknowledgment aligns with her longstanding approach of embracing a multifaceted identity—home chef, author, television personality, businesswoman, and, increasingly, a cultural figure who embodies a fearless, age-defying glamour.

The thirst-trap phenomenon that began with the pool photo and matured through subsequent posts represents more than a single trend. It reflects a recalibration of how public figures—especially women in later life—engage with audiences online, where flirtation and fashion can intersect with commerce and media opportunities. Stewart’s ongoing collaboration with fashion, beauty, and lifestyle brands has extended beyond the print pages of magazines, entering digital spaces where her self-presentation continues to captivate a broad audience. Her comments on Today reinforce that the attention is not about finding romance in the public eye but about celebrating personal agency, friendship, and continued creativity in the public sphere.

As Stewart turns another year older, observers will likely watch how her digital presence evolves in the coming months. If her past patterns persist, fans can expect more high-gloss selfies, more candid reflections on aging, and continued commentary on modern homemaking that translates into a broader cultural conversation about confidence at any age. In the meantime, the “lots of people” sliding into her DMs are a testament to how a modern thirst trap can transform a public figure into a continuing conversation about desire, humor, and the boundaries of age-appropriate self-expression.