Martha Stewart responds to backlash after posting a Halloween photo in which she dressed as a homeless person. Outlets report that her costume included tattered clothing, dirt-inspired face makeup, and a cardboard sign saying “I am hungry. Help me!!,” and that the image quickly drew criticism for being offensive.
In a statement, Stewart says homelessness is a serious issue and that it is something she “care[s] deeply about.” Rolling Stone and Variety report that after facing online backlash, she deleted the photo. Other outlets also describe that she addresses the controversy, with one saying she stops short of apologizing.
Coverage across outlets largely centers on the same core details of the costume and the immediate public reaction. Differences in emphasis include whether Stewart is portrayed as deleting the image, how closely her response is framed as an apology or not, and which aspects of the costume are highlighted most prominently.
