Martha Stewart says she really erred over Halloween costume
Apologized after an image of her dressed as a homeless person for Halloween drew online criticism. The lifestyle personality said the costume was “insensitive…
Martha Stewart said she “really screwed up” after an image of her dressed as a homeless person for Halloween drew online backlash in the US. The lifestyle personality apologized on Instagram after her earlier response failed to satisfy critics.
Stewart posted the image on October 31. Her face appeared dirty, she wore ripped jeans and a beanie, and held a sign reading, “I AM HUNGRY HELP ME!!” The caption and two other images in the carousel promoted her candle range.
Commenters challenged the costume’s treatment of homelessness, with one asking why people “dying on the side of the road” were being turned into a costume. Another told Stewart to “Read the room,” pointing to people struggling financially.
Why did Martha Stewart apologize?
Stewart said the costume was meant to raise awareness of homelessness, but later acknowledged it was insensitive and not funny. Her second statement, posted hours after an earlier response, included a direct apology.
In the first statement, Stewart said she was distressed that the costume had offended people and described homelessness as “one of America’s greatest challenges and ongoing crises.” She also said she had spent time and effort supporting charities that combat homelessness and was committed to continuing that work.
That response did not go far enough, she later wrote. “It’s hard to admit when you’ve really screwed up. My earlier statement didn’t go far enough,” Stewart said on Instagram. She added: “I know many people are economically struggling. Wearing a costume like I did was insensitive and not funny. I’m very sorry.”
The sequence gave the controversy a second dimension: the image appeared alongside a product promotion, while Stewart’s first explanation framed the costume as an attempt to draw attention to a serious issue. The criticism focused on that contrast, with one commenter asking how her public relations team had not warned her against the idea.
Homelessness remains a major US issue
Official figures cited in the report put the number of homeless people across the US at at least 770,000. The account also noted that hundreds of new bills criminalising sleeping outdoors or lingering in public spaces had passed since the Supreme Court ruled in 2024 that such laws were constitutional.
Those figures show why the costume drew a sharp reaction: homelessness is a lived crisis for hundreds of thousands of people, not simply a Halloween image. Stewart’s apology addressed the offense directly, while her statement also pointed to her support for charities working on the issue.
Stewart, 85, has spent decades sharing Halloween recipes, craft ideas and hosting advice, she said in her earlier statement. The post that triggered the backlash also featured her candle range.
At least 770,000 people are homeless across the US, according to the official figures cited in the report.
