Martha Stewart Deletes Controversial Homelessness Halloween Costume After Backlash

Martha Stewart is walking back her Halloween look after the internet exploded over what she called a misguided attempt to highlight homelessness. The 85-year-old business icon shared a photo of herself in ripped jeans and a distressed button-down shirt, holding a sign that screamed, "I AM HUNGRY. HELP ME!!" The image was tucked into an Instagram carousel promoting her QVC candles. It didn't stay up long. A wave of criticism flooded her comment section, forcing her to delete the post quickly.

Stewart addressed the mess in a statement to Page Six. She claimed she has spent decades teaching others how to celebrate Halloween with recipes, crafts, and hosting tips. "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. Stewart added that homelessness remains one of America's greatest challenges and an ongoing crisis. She stated she cares deeply about the issue and has spent significant time supporting charities that combat this social epidemic. "I am committed to continuing to make a difference," she wrote.

The explanation did little to calm the storm. Critics on X called the outfit tasteless and questioned her judgment. One user asked if she was dense and misguided, noting that you never dress up as someone poor, sick, or in dire circumstances. Another dismissed her awareness claim as a stupid lie, suggesting she just needed to apologize for a poorly thought-out costume. Reddit users were equally harsh, labeling the explanation lazy and condescending.

Some defenders pushed back, arguing the public was overreacting. One person on X suggested people were way too sensitive. Another described the look as being in good fun, urging others to leave her alone. A third user called it a simple Halloween joke and accused critics of being thin-skinned.

Hours after speaking to Page Six, Stewart posted a more direct apology to her Instagram grid. "It's hard to admit when you've really screwed up," she wrote. "My earlier statement didn't go far enough. I know many people are suffering economically. Wearing a costume like I did was insensitive and not funny. I am very sorry. - Martha." A representative for Stewart did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital's request for comment.