Martha Stewart Offers Apology for Homelessness Halloween Costume
Television personality and businesswoman Martha Stewart apologized after sharing a controversial Halloween costume on Instagram featuring smudged makeup, torn clothing, and a sign reading “I have hunger. Help me!” nos.nl reported. The post drew swift backlash from social media users who criticized the depiction of unhoused individuals as insensitive. Initially, Stewart defended the post by stating it was intended to draw attention to homelessness, but she later removed the image and issued a second, more direct apology.
Backlash and Social Media Criticism
The post featured Stewart wearing a beanie and holding a clipboard with the handwritten sign, paired with a commercial candle advertisement, as MovieMeter noted. Commenters on Instagram quickly condemned the outfit. “Why do you think people dying on the side of the road are a costume?”, one user wrote. Another added, “Look around you, Martha. People are struggling out here.” Nieuws.nl reported that the image continued to circulate online even after Stewart deleted it from her account.
🇺🇸 MARTHA STEWART DRESSED UP AS A HOMELESS PERSON FOR HALLOWEEN AND SOMEHOW DIDN’T SEE THE BACKLASH COMING.She showed up in ripped clothes, dirt smeared across her face, holding a cardboard sign that read:“I AM HUNGRY HELP ME!!” Then people got mad, she deleted it, and said… pic.twitter.com/pt5m2UHcSA
Public Response and Subsequent Apology
Following the initial criticism, Stewart addressed the controversy in a statement to Page Six, explaining that she felt distressed about causing offense. She stated that homelessness remains one of the greatest challenges in the United States and noted her past support for charitable organizations addressing the crisis. Official figures cited by nos.nl indicate that homelessness in the US increased by 27 percent between 2013 and 2025, with an estimated population of over 700,000 unhoused individuals.
Hours after her initial remarks, Stewart posted a second, clearer apology on her personal Instagram account. “It is hard to admit when you really messed up. My previous statement was not sufficient,” she wrote, according to nos.nl. She acknowledged that many people face economic hardships and admitted that wearing such a costume was both insensitive and unfunny.
Broader Social Media Controversy Involving Macaulay Culkin
Stewart was not the only public figure to face scrutiny over Halloween attire on social media during the same weekend. MovieMeter reported that actor Macaulay Culkin also drew criticism for a selfie in which he wore dark or olive-green facial paint, a military uniform, and a tilted helmet. Culkin captioned the image with a reference to war and a popular internet reaction image known as the “thousand-yard stare,” prompting a mix of online debate among users.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Controversy
Where did Martha Stewart post the original Halloween photo?
Stewart shared the photo on her Instagram account on a Saturday before removing it following negative public reactions, as reported by nos.nl.
What specific text was written on the prop she held?
The sign or clipboard featured the handwritten message: “I have hunger. Help me!”, according to reporting from Nieuws.nl and MovieMeter.
How did Stewart’s final apology differ from her first statement?
While her initial statement to Page Six focused on her intention to raise awareness for homelessness, her subsequent Instagram post dropped defenses, admitting the outfit was insensitive and unfunny, nos.nl and MovieMeter noted.
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