Martha Stewart Issues Apology After Backlash Over Homeless Halloween Costume

Martha Stewart faced sharp criticism this Halloween after sharing and quickly deleting a social media post that featured her dressed as a homeless person, complete with a dirt-smudged face, tattered clothing, and a sign reading “I AM HUNGRY HELP ME!!” The entrepreneur, who is reported to have a net worth of $400 million, initially defended the costume as an effort to bring awareness to the issue of homelessness before later issuing a second, more direct apology.

The controversy began when the image circulated on Instagram as part of a carousel post promoting a line of QVC candles. In the now-deleted photograph, Stewart stood outside with two dogs, wearing a checked shirt, ripped jeans, and a beanie alongside a dull facial expression. Social media users quickly condemned the imagery as insensitive and out of touch. One commenter wrote, “Read the room, Martha; people are struggling out here,” while another asked, “Why do you think poor people who are dying on the side of the road are a costume?” Reddit users also shared screenshots of the post, branding the choice as offensive given that more than 700,000 people in the United States are homeless, according to official data.

Initial Defense Followed by a Second Statement

Addressing the uproar the following day, Stewart defended the look in a statement to Page Six, explaining that she was “distressed” by the reaction. “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, adding that she has spent significant time and effort supporting charities that combat the crisis.

That initial defense failed to quell the criticism, as critics pointed out that nothing in the original post referenced charity work or advocacy, but rather promoted retail candles. Later that same day, Stewart acknowledged that her defense fell short and posted a second statement to her Instagram story using the Notes app.

“It’s hard to admit when you’ve really screwed up. My earlier statement didn’t go far enough. I know many people are suffering economically. Wearing a costume like I did was insensitive and not funny. I am very sorry.”

The timing of the backlash coincided with mounting economic anxieties across the United States. Pew Research Center polling released in mid-October indicated that 60% of respondents said “they do not currently have enough income to lead the kind of life they want” while more than four in 10 Americans (44%) reported trouble paying for basic necessities like food, housing, daily transportation and medical care.

Context of Holiday Costume Controversies

Stewart’s costume arrived during a holiday season already marked by retail controversies. In August, Target apologized and stopped selling a Halloween costume that depicted a circus clown after critics said it evoked Blackface and minstrel shows, according to CNN.

Stewart has built a tradition of elaborate holiday dressing—ranging from Queen Elizabeth I to a glamorous sorceress—returned to Instagram on Sunday morning following the apology to share a post focused on saffron.

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