Martha Stewart has apologized for a Halloween costume depicting Homelessness after facing strong criticism online. “I know many people are suffering economically,” Stewart wrote. “Wearing a costume like I did was insensitive and not funny.” She ended the message by saying, “I am very sorry. Martha.”
The apology, written in the Notes app on her phone, prompted mixed reactions. One critic said the costume showed “an utter disconnect from the desperation and suffering of so many people,” particularly those who are unhoused and hungry. A fan defended Stewart, saying that dressing as “hobos” had been common for Halloween in the 1970s.
Stewart had shared and then quickly deleted a photo of the costume. In the image, she wore a beanie and tattered clothing, held a brown clipboard with a sign reading “I AM HUNGRY HELP ME!” and had dirt smeared across her face. The caption promoted her QVC candles as “perfect for Halloween.”
In a statement to Page Six, Stewart said the costume was intended to raise awareness of homelessness, not offend anyone. She said homelessness remained one of America’s greatest challenges and ongoing crises, adding that she had spent significant time and effort supporting charities that address the issue.
The controversy comes after Stewart spoke publicly about her wealth. Last month, she said on the “Other People’s Business” podcast that she had once earned $65 million annually from Kmart royalties, when the retailer was selling nearly $2 billion worth of merchandise. She also said she had lost about $1 billion while dealing with legal problems in the early 2000s.
Stewart was convicted in an insider trading case and served five months in prison, followed by five months of home confinement and two years of supervised probation. She said lawyers had taken her “to the cleaners,” but added, “I’m back. I’m pretty good.”
Sources: Page Six.