The post, which also included the caption “My QVC candles are perfect for Halloween!!!”, drew criticism on social media after being screenshotted. In a statement to the New York Post’s Page Six, Stewart said she was distressed that the costume offended people. “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 said. “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.” The statement stopped short of an apology. Stewart has a reported $570 million fortune through her lifestyle and homewares empire.
Martha Stewart addresses backlash after dressing as homeless person for Halloween
Lifestyle mogul says costume was meant to bring awareness to homelessness, stops short of apology
Martha Stewart has responded to a backlash after an image of the 85-year-old dressed as a homeless person for Halloween was posted and then deleted from her Instagram account. The image showed her with a smudged face and a sign reading “I am hungry help me!!” and was part of a promotion for her candle line.
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Analysis
Why This Matters
- The incident highlights the divide between privilege and sensitivity when using homelessness as a costume theme.
- Stewart's response, which rejects criticism while claiming good intentions, reflects a common celebrity approach to backlash.
- It may prompt further discussion of how public figures handle controversies around social issues.
Background
Martha Stewart is an American lifestyle mogul and television personality who built a homewares empire. She has a reported net worth of $570 million. The costume was posted on Halloween and quickly deleted after backlash.
What to Watch
- Whether Stewart issues a full apology.
- How the controversy affects her brand and QVC partnership.
- Discussion around Halloween costumes and cultural sensitivity.
Sources
Checked
11 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 11 supported.
Show each claim
- SupportedStewart 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.”Brisbane Times - Latest News: ““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 said in the statement on Monday morning (AEDT).”
- SupportedStewart said homelessness was “one of America’s greatest challenges and ongoing crises” and that she cared deeply about it and had supported charities combatting it.Brisbane Times - Latest News: ““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.”
- SupportedThe sign in the image read, “I am hungry help me!!”Brisbane Times - Latest News: “holding a sign with the message, “I am hungry help me!!””
- SupportedThe post caption read, “My QVC candles are perfect for Halloween!!!”Brisbane Times - Latest News: “Instagram “My QVC candles are perfect for Halloween!!!” the images were captioned.”
- SupportedStewart addressed backlash after an image of her dressed as a homeless person for Halloween was posted to Instagram and quickly deleted.Brisbane Times - Latest News: “Martha Stewart has responded to the furore after an image of her dressed as a homeless person for Halloween was posted to her Instagram account, then quickly deleted.”
- SupportedThe image was part of a promotion for Stewart’s candle line.Brisbane Times - Latest News: “and was among several images in a carousel promoting her range of candles, sold via US shopping network QVC.”
- SupportedThe image was screenshotted by social media users and prompted a backlash.Brisbane Times - Latest News: “The image of her costume was screenshotted by social media users and widely circulated, prompting a backlash”
- SupportedStewart made the statement to the New York Post’s Page Six column.Brisbane Times - Latest News: “in her statement to the New York Post’s Page Six column”
- SupportedStewart’s statement stopped short of an apology.Brisbane Times - Latest News: “However, in her statement to the New York Post’s Page Six column, the 85-year-old stopped short of apologising.”
- SupportedStewart was 85 years old.Brisbane Times - Latest News: “the 85-year-old stopped short of apologising.”
- SupportedStewart had a reported $570 million fortune through her lifestyle and homewares empire.Brisbane Times - Latest News: “Stewart has amassed a reported $570 million fortune through her lifestyle and homewares empire.”