Martha Stewart apologizes for Halloween costume depicting homelessness
The lifestyle entrepreneur issued a statement saying her costume was insensitive and expressed regret after it drew criticism on social media.
Martha Stewart, the 85-year-old businesswoman, posted a photo on Instagram showing herself dressed in tattered clothing with a cardboard sign that read “I AM HUNGRY HELP ME!!.” The image, which was later removed, was shared widely and prompted criticism that the costume mocked people experiencing homelessness.
In a statement to NBC News, Stewart said the costume was intended to raise awareness of homelessness and that she was distressed it had offended people. She added that homelessness remains a major challenge in the United States and that she has supported charities addressing the issue.
Later, Stewart issued an apology on social media, acknowledging that her earlier comments did not go far enough. She wrote, “It’s hard to admit when you’ve really screwed up… Wearing a costume like I did was insensitive and not funny. I’m very sorry.”
The costume image appeared in a promotional carousel for Stewart’s candle line on QVC, where the caption highlighted the candles as “perfect for Halloween.”
Public reaction on platforms such as Reddit and X included calls for the entrepreneur to demonstrate her commitment to the cause through donations, while some commenters described the apology as insufficient. Stewart’s representatives did not respond to requests for comment.