Martha Stewart Apologizes After Backlash Over Homeless Halloween Costume
Media personality Martha Stewart apologized after facing online backlash for sharing an Instagram photo of herself dressed as a homeless person for Halloween to promote her candle range, according to reports from The Sydney Morning Herald, Nine.com.au, and PerthNow.
Martha Stewart Deletes Offensive Hunger Costume Post
On October 31, the 85-year-old lifestyle mogul posted an image on Instagram showing herself with a dirty face, wearing ripped jeans and a beanie, and holding a sign that read: “I AM HUNGRY HELP ME!!” The post was part of a carousel designed to promote her candle collection, carrying the caption: “My QVC candles are perfect for Halloween!!!” according to The Sydney Morning Herald and Nine.com.au. Users quickly screenshotted the image before it was deleted, circulating the post on Reddit and Instagram where many users labeled the costume offensive and out of touch, noting that Stewart possesses an estimated net worth of $400 million, as reported by Nine.com.au and PerthNow. Credit: @marthstewart48/Instagram The level of out of touch is stellar,
one person said, with others branding the costume gross
and offensive
on social media. A third wrote, What on earth was she thinking????
Initial Defense Followed by a Direct Apology
Stewart initially defended the post in a statement issued to Page Six and People magazine on Sunday. She stated that her costume was intended to bring awareness to the serious subject of homelessness and expressed distress that people were offended, adding that she has spent significant effort supporting charities addressing the social crisis. However, that statement omitted an apology. Hours later, following continued criticism regarding the economic struggles faced by many Americans, Stewart posted a second statement directly to Instagram. It’s hard to admit when you’ve really screwed up.
My earlier statement didn’t go far enough,
she wrote, according to People magazine. I know many people are economically struggling.
Wearing a costume like I did was insensitive and not funny.
I’m very sorry.
I want to know the annual salary of everyone who was OK [with] it,
one commenter wrote. Love Martha but how did no one on her PR team tell her that wasn’t a good idea?
another asked.
Wider Context of US Homelessness
The online uproar unfolded against a backdrop where official figures show at least 770,000 homeless individuals across the United States, according to data highlighted by The Sydney Morning Herald. This figure coincides with the passage of hundreds of new legislative bills criminalizing sleeping outside or lingering in public spaces following a 2024 United States Supreme Court ruling that deemed such measures constitutional.
Disclaimer: The views and cultural analyses presented in this article are for informational and entertainment purposes only. Information regarding legal disputes or financial data is based on available public records.
