Martha Stewart Apologizes for Homeless Costume After 770,000 Americans Face Homelessness
Updated
Updated · The Guardian · Nov 2
Martha Stewart Apologizes for Homeless Costume After 770,000 Americans Face Homelessness
3 articles · Updated · The Guardian · Nov 2
Summary
Hours after defending the post, Martha Stewart issued a fuller Instagram apology, saying her earlier statement “didn’t go far enough” and calling the homeless-person costume “insensitive and not funny.”
The backlash followed her Oct. 31 Instagram post showing a dirtied face, ripped jeans and a sign reading “I AM HUNGRY HELP ME!!” while also promoting her candle line.
Stewart, 85, had first said the costume was meant to raise awareness of homelessness and stressed her support for charities, but commenters accused her of trivializing people in economic distress.
The controversy landed against a worsening U.S. homelessness crisis: official figures show at least 770,000 homeless people nationwide, while more cities have criminalized sleeping outside since a 2024 Supreme Court ruling.