Martha Stewart is facing widespread backlash for her Halloween costume, which depicted a homeless person. "Pose" star Indya Moore and numerous social media users have criticized Stewart's choice, deeming it insensitive and out of touch. The controversy intensified after Stewart's attempts to apologize on Instagram were met with further criticism.
Moore took to Instagram to express her disappointment, stating that a wealthy individual dressing as a homeless person "brings more awareness to how out of touch and apathetic wealth makes people than it does motivate people to empathize and activate." Moore argued that if Stewart were serious about poverty, she would "use her platform to back policies that tax the rich, put free food in front of people who are hungry and homeless and provide free healthcare and education." Moore described Stewart's apology as a "manipulative counterattack" and "not believable."
Stewart initially posted an apology that she later deleted, replacing it with a revised statement. In the second apology, Stewart acknowledged the insensitivity of her costume, admitting it was "not funny" and that she was "very sorry." However, this apology also drew criticism, with some users calling it a "highlighted, un-cropped screenshot app apology" and questioning why no one on her team flagged the idea as problematic.
Stewart's official Instagram account, even when posting about unrelated topics like paint trends, was inundated with negative comments. Users called her "tone deaf" and accused her of using the situation for self-promotion rather than genuine awareness of homelessness.
Stewart had previously deleted photos of the costume, which reportedly included ripped clothing, dirt on her face, and a cardboard sign. The backlash highlights a growing sensitivity to how public figures address social issues, especially those concerning poverty and homelessness.