Stewart Apologizes for Halloween Costume
The 85-year-old media mogul called her depiction of homelessness 'insensitive' in a second statement released Sunday.
By Jack Weber ·
More than 745,000 people were homeless in the United States on a single night in January 2025, according to a report released by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development in May. This statistic frames the public reaction to Martha Stewart, who apologized on Sunday for a Halloween costume that depicted a homeless person.
The media entrepreneur shared a photo on social media showing herself in a tattered sweater and jeans. Her face had smeared makeup, and she held a sign that read, 'I am hungry. Help me.' The image, which has since been deleted, generated immediate backlash online.
Stewart first responded to the criticism by telling the New York Post's Page Six that her costume was meant to draw attention to the severity of homelessness. She stated at the time that she was distressed that the outfit offended people, adding that she has spent considerable effort supporting charities that combat the crisis.
On Sunday, Stewart posted a second statement to her Instagram feed, signed simply with her first name. She acknowledged that her initial explanation did not go far enough. Stewart described the costume as 'insensitive and not funny' and admitted that it is difficult to recognize when one has made a mistake.
In the new message, she noted that many people are suffering economically. She concluded the statement by saying she was very sorry. The 85-year-old was named one of Forbes' 250 greatest self-made Americans in August. She has built a media empire and launched multiple brands centered on lifestyle and entertaining.
Reactions to the second apology were mixed among her online followers. One commenter argued that more people were angry about the costume than were motivated to help homeless individuals. Another observer suggested the incident illustrated how wealthy people are often disconnected from the rest of the population.
ABC News reported that it has reached out to a representative for Stewart for further comment. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development data indicates that homelessness in the country rose by 27% between 2013 and 2025. During that same period, the number of unsheltered individuals living on the street increased by 36%.
