Lifestyle guru Martha Stewart is walking back her Halloween costume after facing backlash for dressing up as an unhoused person.
The controversy began after Martha shared a now-deleted Instagram photo of herself wearing a beanie, tattered clothing, and dirt smeared across her face. She also held a makeshift sign that read, “I AM HUNGRY HELP ME!”
After the photo sparked outrage, Martha initially addressed the backlash in a statement to Page Six, explaining that her costume was intended to bring attention to homelessness.
“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.
Martha also emphasized that homelessness remains one of America’s greatest ongoing crises and claimed she has dedicated considerable time and effort to supporting charities that address the issue. However, her initial explanation wasn’t enough to quiet the criticism, prompting her Sunday apology.
“It’s hard to admit when you’ve really screwed up. My earlier statement didn’t go far enough,” Martha wrote in a statement shared via her Instagram Stories. “I know many people are suffering economically,” she continued. “Wearing a costume like I did was insensitive and not funny.”
She concluded her message with a straightforward apology: “I am very sorry. Martha.”
The apology, which was shared in a Notes app screenshot, received mixed reactions online. Some critics continued to call out Martha for being disconnected from the struggles of unhoused people, while others defended the costume. They argued that similar Halloween outfits were commonplace decades ago.
