The 85-year-old lifestyle entrepreneur removed a Halloween photograph portraying a homeless person and issued a second apology after critics accused her of making light of poverty and homelessness.
By yourNEWS Media Newsroom
Martha Stewart has publicly apologized after facing widespread criticism for dressing as a homeless person for Halloween, acknowledging that the costume was insensitive and that her initial explanation failed to adequately address the controversy.
The 85-year-old television personality and businesswoman posted a photograph on Instagram on Saturday, Oct. 31, showing herself wearing torn clothing, a black hat and makeup resembling dirt smeared across her face. She held a cardboard sign reading, “I AM HUNGRY HELP ME!!”
The image appeared alongside promotional photographs for her candle collection sold through QVC, with a caption advertising the products for Halloween.
The post quickly drew criticism from social media users who questioned why Stewart, a wealthy entrepreneur known for her lifestyle and entertainment businesses, would portray someone experiencing homelessness as a holiday costume.
According to People magazine, Stewart removed the photograph after receiving negative reactions and initially defended her intentions, saying she wanted to bring attention to homelessness rather than mock those affected by it.
In a statement released Sunday, Nov. 1, Stewart explained that she had spent decades helping Americans celebrate Halloween through decorating ideas, recipes, crafts and entertaining advice.
“I’ve spent decades teaching others how to celebrate Halloween – sharing fun, festive recipes, providing unique craft ideas and giving tips on entertaining and hosting to make the most of one of my favorite holidays of the year,” Stewart said.
“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.”
Stewart also emphasized her previous charitable involvement and described homelessness as a serious national problem.
“Homelessness continues to remain one of America’s greatest challenges and ongoing crises, something that I care deeply about and I have spent a significant amount of time and effort supporting charities that combat this ongoing social epidemic,” she said.
“I am committed to continuing to make a difference.”
The statement did not immediately resolve the controversy, as critics argued that Stewart’s explanation did not amount to a direct apology.
Some social media users said the costume appeared to trivialize the daily struggles of people who lack stable housing, particularly because it had been included in a post promoting commercial products.
Others defended Stewart, saying the reaction was excessive and that she should be judged by her stated intentions and charitable activities rather than a single Halloween costume.
Hours later, Stewart issued a second statement on Instagram, acknowledging that her original response had been inadequate.
“It’s hard to admit when you’ve really screwed up. My earlier statement didn’t go far enough,” Stewart wrote.
“I know many people are economically struggling. Wearing a costume like I did was insensitive and not funny. I’m very sorry.”
The second apology represented a departure from Stewart’s initial explanation, directly acknowledging that the costume itself was inappropriate rather than focusing primarily on whether people had misunderstood her intentions.
According to Entertainment Weekly, reactions to Stewart’s revised apology remained divided, with some commenters appreciating her willingness to accept responsibility and others questioning how the costume had been approved in the first place.
The controversy spread across social media platforms after screenshots of Stewart’s deleted Instagram photograph circulated widely.
Some critics emphasized the contrast between Stewart’s financial success and the circumstances of people experiencing homelessness.
One commenter asked, “Why do you think poor people who are dying on the side of the road are a costume?”
Another wrote, “Read the room Martha, people are struggling out here.”
The criticism also focused on the photograph’s original context as part of an advertisement for Stewart’s home fragrance products.
According to TMZ’s initial coverage, the photograph appeared in an Instagram carousel promoting QVC candles before Stewart removed it.
The accompanying caption reportedly stated, “My QVC candles are perfect for Halloween!!!”
Critics argued that using an image portraying hunger and homelessness alongside merchandise advertising was particularly inappropriate.
The incident has also drawn attention to the broader issue of homelessness in the United States.
The Department of Housing and Urban Development’s 2024 annual assessment identified more than 770,000 people experiencing homelessness on a single night, a record level at the time.
The figures included individuals living in shelters and those staying in places not intended for human habitation.
Housing affordability, economic hardship, limited shelter availability and other factors have contributed to the ongoing challenge, with conditions varying significantly among states and metropolitan areas.
The issue has also become the subject of legal and political disputes involving public encampments, municipal restrictions and the availability of housing assistance.
In June 2024, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in City of Grants Pass v. Johnson that enforcing generally applicable laws restricting camping on public property does not, by itself, violate the Eighth Amendment’s prohibition on cruel and unusual punishment.
The decision permitted local governments greater authority to enforce certain public camping restrictions, although it did not resolve broader questions concerning housing availability or homelessness policy.
Stewart has previously participated in charitable initiatives supporting people facing food insecurity and other hardships.
In her initial response, she emphasized that homelessness was an issue she had supported through charitable work and intended to continue addressing.
However, she did not announce any new charitable contribution or homelessness initiative in connection with the Halloween controversy.
Stewart, who built a business empire around cooking, home decorating, gardening and entertainment, has remained a prominent figure in American popular culture for decades.
Her career includes television programs, bestselling books, merchandise collections and partnerships with major retailers.
She has also maintained a substantial presence on social media, where she regularly shares lifestyle advice, business promotions and glimpses of her personal celebrations.
Halloween has long been among Stewart’s favorite holidays, and her elaborate costumes and decorations have frequently attracted media attention.
The latest incident marked an unusually negative response to one of her seasonal posts.
As The Guardian reported, Stewart’s second statement acknowledged both the economic hardships affecting many Americans and the concerns raised by her portrayal of homelessness.
The episode illustrates how celebrity Halloween costumes can become subjects of wider public debate when they depict poverty, illness or other circumstances involving vulnerable populations.
While Stewart said her intention was to raise awareness, critics questioned whether the photograph communicated that message, particularly in the context of a promotional advertisement.
Her subsequent apology acknowledged that distinction, expressing regret for the costume itself rather than simply for the reaction it generated.
As of Monday, Nov. 2, Stewart had removed the original photograph and issued two public statements addressing the controversy.
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