Martha Stewart Apologizes for Halloween Costume, Says She 'Really Screwed Up'

Martha Stewart has apologized for her Halloween costume. The 85-year-old lifestyle mogul posted a photo of herself on Oct. 31 dressed as a person experiencing homelessness, and after a wave of criticism, she issued two statements on Sunday, Nov. 1. The second admitted she had “really screwed up.”

What was Martha Stewart’s Halloween costume?

According to USA Today, the now-deleted Instagram photo showed Stewart in torn jeans, a cream cardigan and a black knit cap, holding a handwritten cardboard sign that read “I AM HUNGRY HELP ME!!” Two of her dogs sat at her feet. The Guardian reported that her face was made up to look dirty.

The photo was part of an Instagram carousel promoting Stewart’s candles, The Guardian and USA Today reported, with USA Today citing TMZ that the candles were her QVC line. Copies of the image spread quickly after it was taken down.

Why it drew backlash

Commenters accused Stewart, whose fortune is estimated at about $400 million, of mocking people who are struggling. “Read the room Martha, people are struggling out here,” one wrote, per The Guardian. Another, who said they had experienced homelessness for years, wrote on X that “there’s absolutely nothing funny about this,” USA Today reported.

USA Today noted that more than 745,000 people experienced homelessness in the U.S. on a single night in January 2025, according to the Department of Housing and Urban Development.

Martha Stewart’s first statement

Stewart’s first response, given to People and other outlets on Sunday, defended the idea behind the costume. She said it “was intended to bring more awareness to the very serious subject of homelessness” and that she was “distressed” it had “offended people, which was never my intention.”

She also said homelessness “continues to remain one of America’s greatest challenges,” that she has spent significant time and effort supporting charities working on it, and that she is “committed to continuing to make a difference.” The Guardian said that statement “fell short of apologising.”

The apology

Hours later, Stewart posted a second statement on Instagram. “It’s hard to admit when you’ve really screwed up. My earlier statement didn’t go far enough,” she wrote, adding that wearing the costume “was insensitive and not funny.”

Outlets quoted the rest slightly differently. USA Today had “I know many people are suffering economically” and “I am very sorry,” while The Guardian had “economically struggling” and “I’m very sorry.” The meaning is the same in both.

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