Martha Stewart is defending herself after a Halloween costume depicting a homeless person triggered a wave of public criticism and forced her to pull the post.
The 85-year-old businesswoman and television personality shared, then deleted, an Instagram photo of herself in ripped jeans and a distressed button-down shirt, holding a sign reading, “I AM HUNGRY. HELP ME!!” The image appeared in a carousel post promoting her QVC candle line and was taken down after her comment section filled with criticism.
Stewart issued a statement to Page Six defending her choice.
“I’ve spent decades teaching others how to celebrate Halloween — sharing fun, festive recipes, providing unique craft ideas, and giving tips on entertaining and hosting to make the most of one of my favorite holidays of the year,” Stewart said.
“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 continued.
Stewart also pointed to her record on the issue. “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. “I am committed to continuing to make a difference.”
The explanation did little to quiet her critics. On X, one user called the costume “definitely tasteless,” adding, “Of all the things she could have done.” Another wrote, “Really? Is she that dense and misguided? You NEVER dress up as someone poor, sick or in dire circumstances. Never a fan but now disgusted.”
On Reddit, the backlash was even sharper. “Just say that you’re sorry and you didn’t mean to upset anyone. It was just a poorly thought-out costume. Pretending that it was to raise awareness is just a very stupid lie,” one commenter wrote. Another said, “OMG, that’s the best she could come up with? Very lazy and condescending, thinking anyone would believe this explanation.”
Not everyone piled on. Some defenders argued the reaction was overblown. “Gawd … people are way too sensitive!” one person wrote. Another called the costume “in good fun” and told critics to “Leave her the f— alone.” A third wrote, “People are so thin-skinned. It’s Halloween and it’s a joke.”
A representative for Stewart did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Fox News Digital.
