Halloween Costume: Martha Stewart Issues Second Apology

Martha Stewart issued a second apology on Sunday regarding a Halloween costume that depicted her as a homeless person. The statement followed widespread criticism on social media after she shared a photograph of the outfit on her personal accounts.

In the deleted image, Stewart wore a torn sweater and jeans with makeup smeared across her face. She held a sign that read, "I am hungry. Help me." The visual presentation sparked immediate debate among followers and online commentators about the appropriateness of the attire for the holiday.

Stewart, who was named one of Forbes' 250 greatest self-made Americans in August, first addressed the controversy in a statement to the New York Post's Page Six. She explained that the costume was designed to raise awareness about the severity of homelessness. "Homelessness continues to remain one of America's greatest challenges and ongoing crises, something that I care deeply about and I have spent a significant amount of time and effort supporting charities that combat this ongoing social epidemic," she said.

The initial response did not satisfy all critics, leading Stewart to post a follow-up message on Instagram. "It’s hard to admit when you’ve really screwed up," she wrote in the updated statement, which was signed simply as "Martha." She acknowledged that her first explanation did not go far enough and described the costume as "insensitive and not funny." She added, "I know many people are suffering economically." The 85-year-old concluded the post by stating, "I am very sorry."

Reactions to the second statement were mixed. One follower commented that more people were angry about the costume than were motivated to assist homeless individuals. Another noted that the incident highlighted the disconnect between wealthy figures and the general population. ABC News contacted a representative for Stewart for further comment.

The debate coincides with recent data on housing instability in the United States. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development reported that more than 745,000 people were homeless on a single night in January 2025. The agency's 2025 Annual Homelessness Assessment Report, released in May, indicated that homelessness rose 27% between 2013 and 2025. During that same period, unsheltered homelessness increased by 36%.