Martha Stewart apologizes after homeless Halloween costume backlash
What's new: Stewart deleted the Instagram post and followed an initial explanation with a fuller apology calling the costume insensitive.
Martha Stewart apologized after backlash over an Instagram post showing her dressed as a homeless person for Halloween. The deleted photo showed Stewart in torn jeans and a distressed shirt, with makeup meant to look like dirt and a sign reading, "I AM HUNGRY HELP ME!!" The image appeared in a carousel promoting her QVC candles and quickly drew criticism online. Stewart first said the costume was meant to raise awareness about homelessness, then posted a broader apology, writing that she had "really screwed up" and that the outfit was insensitive and not funny. The controversy hit as Stewart, 85, continues to manage a public brand built on lifestyle, food and home entertaining.