Martha Stewart apologises for homeless Halloween costume

Veteran lifestyle guru Martha Stewart has admitted she “really screwed up” after posting a Halloween costume portraying a homeless person.

The 85‑year‑old American entrepreneur deleted an Instagram photo showing her in torn clothes, dirt on her face and holding a sign that read “I am hungry help me!!”. She said the costume was intended to raise awareness of homelessness but that it had offended people.

In a statement posted on Sunday, Stewart expressed distress that the outfit had caused offence and issued a fuller apology, acknowledging that the costume was “insensitive and not funny”. She added that her earlier comment “didn’t go far enough”.

The original post, captioned “My QVC candles are perfect for Halloween!!!”, attracted swift backlash on social media, with critics describing the portrayal as insulting, demeaning and confusing.

Stewart, who rose to fame in the 1990s with her magazine and later built a media empire, has previously faced legal issues, including a 2004 prison sentence for insider‑trading charges. She continues to rebuild her brand through television shows and product lines.

Source: BBC News. Photo: Charles Parker / Pexels.