{
  "id": 17811664,
  "title": "Lifestyle guru Martha Stewart apologises over ‘homeless person’ Halloween costume",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/02/lifestyle-guru-martha-stewart-apologises-over-homeless-person-17811664",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-11-02T15:12:52.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Punch",
    "slug": "punch",
    "url": "https://punchng.com/lifestyle-guru-martha-stewart-apologises-over-homeless-person-halloween-costume/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Martha Stewart, the renowned American lifestyle guru, has issued an apology after facing significant backlash for her choice of a Halloween costume that depicted a homeless person. The 85-year-old star shared an Instagram post of herself on October 31, dressed in torn jeans, a black hat, and makeup that made her face look dirty. She held a sign that read, \"I AM HUNGRY HELP ME!!\" The image was promptly removed following criticism from social media users who argued that she was mocking homelessness and poverty.\n\nIn a statement to Page Six, Stewart expressed her regret, stating that her intention had been to raise awareness about homelessness, a \"serious issue in America.\" She claimed that she cared deeply about the subject and had been actively involved in supporting charities to address the crisis. However, she later acknowledged that her initial apology had been insufficient, saying, \"It’s hard to admit when you’ve really screwed up. My earlier statement didn’t go far enough. I know many people are suffering economically. Wearing a costume like I did was insensitive and not funny. I am very sorry.\"\n\nThe incident gained further prominence due to the photograph being featured alongside promotional materials for her QVC candle collection. Critics accused the costume of being \"grotesque, disgusting, morally bankrupt, incredibly wrong\" and questioned the decision to portray homelessness as a Halloween costume. Martha Stewart, a prominent figure in the American lifestyle industry, has authored over 100 books and has received numerous Daytime Emmy Awards for her work.",
  "summary": "American lifestyle entrepreneur and television personality, Martha Stewart, has apologised after facing widespread criticism for dressing as a homeless person for Halloween. Read More: https://punchng.com/lifestyle-guru-martha-stewart-apologises-over-homeless-person-halloween-costume/",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 8,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "The Sydney Morning Herald",
        "title": "Martha Stewart responds to Halloween costume uproar after dressing as homeless person",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/01/martha-stewart-responds-to-halloween-costume-uproar-after-dressing-as",
        "published": "2026-11-01T23:18:49.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Age",
        "title": "Martha Stewart responds to Halloween costume uproar after dressing as homeless person",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/01/martha-stewart-responds-to-halloween-costume-uproar-after-dressing-as-17704832",
        "published": "2026-11-01T23:18:49.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "RTE News",
        "title": "Stewart apologies for 'insensitive' Halloween costume",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/02/stewart-apologies-for-insensitive-halloween-costume",
        "published": "2026-11-02T09:11:54.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "BBC News",
        "title": "Lifestyle guru Martha Stewart says she 'really screwed up' with homeless Halloween costume",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/02/lifestyle-guru-martha-stewart-says-she-really-screwed-up-with",
        "published": "2026-11-02T09:36:45.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Toronto Sun",
        "title": "Why Martha Stewart’s homeless Halloween costume sparked outrage online",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/02/why-martha-stewarts-homeless-halloween-costume-sparked-outrage-online",
        "published": "2026-11-02T14:48:19.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "South China Morning Post",
        "title": "Martha Stewart sorry for ‘insensitive’ homeless Halloween costume post on social media",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/02/martha-stewart-sorry-for-insensitive-homeless-halloween-costume-post",
        "published": "2026-11-02T17:03:55.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "CBC News",
        "title": "Martha Stewart says she 'really screwed up' after posting homeless Halloween costume",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/02/martha-stewart-says-she-really-screwed-up-after-posting-homeless",
        "published": "2026-11-02T17:09:33.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}