Martha Stewart Calls Homeless Halloween Costume Insensitive

Martha Stewart published a second apology on Instagram Sunday, admitting her Halloween costume of a homeless person was "insensitive and not funny." The move followed a wave of social media criticism that prompted her to revisit her initial response.

Stewart, who is 85 years old, described the incident as a moment where she "really screwed up." She acknowledged that her first statement did not address the public's concerns sufficiently. "I know many people are suffering economically," she wrote. "Wearing a costume like I did was insensitive and not funny. I am very sorry."

The controversy began when Stewart posted a photo of herself in a tattered sweater and jeans. She wore smeared makeup and held a sign reading, "I am hungry. Help me." The image quickly gained traction online before she removed it from her feed.

Her first reaction came in a statement to the New York Post's Page Six. She claimed the outfit was "intended to bring more awareness to the very serious subject of homelessness." She argued that the costume was not meant to offend and noted her long history of supporting charities that combat the issue.

Followers were not convinced by that first explanation. One commenter noted that more people were angry about the costume than were motivated to help homeless individuals. Another observer suggested the photo highlighted a disconnect between wealthy figures and the general population.

The backdrop for this debate includes recent data from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. The 2025 Annual Homelessness Assessment Report, released in May, found that more than 745,000 people were homeless in the United States on a single night in January 2025. The agency reported that homelessness rose 27% between 2013 and 2025. During that same period, the number of unsheltered individuals increased by 36%.

Stewart built her brand on lifestyle and entertaining expertise. In August, Forbes named her one of its 250 greatest self-made Americans. ABC News contacted a representative for Stewart for further comment on the latest statement.