Martha Stewart apologizes for Halloween costume choice

Martha Stewart issued a formal apology on Sunday after a Halloween photo of her dressed as a homeless person sparked widespread criticism online. In a statement posted to Instagram, the 85-year-old business executive acknowledged that her costume was a mistake. She signed the message simply as Martha.

The initial photo, which Stewart has since deleted, showed her wearing a tattered sweater and jeans. She had smeared makeup on her face and held a sign that read, I am hungry. Help me. The image circulated quickly on social platforms, where many followers reacted negatively to the portrayal.

Stewart addressed the backlash in her latest statement, admitting she had made an error. She described the costume as insensitive and not funny. Stewart wrote that it is hard to admit when you have really screwed up. She noted that her previous explanation did not go far enough in addressing the concern.

Her first response, released to the New York Post, framed the outfit as an attempt to raise awareness. At that time, she said the costume was intended to bring more attention to the serious subject of homelessness. She added that homelessness remains one of America's greatest challenges and that she has spent considerable time supporting related charities.

The second statement on Instagram received mixed reactions from her audience. One commenter suggested that more people were angry about the costume than were motivated to help homeless individuals. Another noted that the image highlighted the disconnect between wealthy people and the general population.

Stewart built her media empire on lifestyle and entertaining expertise. In August, Forbes named her one of its 250 greatest self-made Americans. ABC News has reached out to a representative for Stewart to discuss the incident further.

The debate comes as data from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development shows rising homelessness in the country. More than 745,000 people were homeless in the United States on a single night in January 2025. The agency reports that homelessness increased 27% between 2013 and 2025, with unsheltered homelessness rising 36% during that same period.