FROM WAIST TRAINERS TO appetite-suppressant lollipops, Kim Kardashian is no stranger to problematic weight-loss methods which regularly invite criticism.
And as she forced her waist into submission and stocked up on sweets that supposedly (and ironically) curb your desire to eat, Kim ignored the backlash she received for promoting these products.
While social media buzzed with condemnation and body-positivity movements were set up in response, Kim supposedly tightened her trainer and unwrapped her next lollipop.
So, given the reality star’s apparent disregard for the problematic nature of this approach, it should have come as no surprise to anyone that she rejoiced when dubbed ‘anorexic’ by her siblings during a candid backstage exchange in July.
Such was the extent of her delight, Kim quickly pressed record on her phone, and encouraged Kendall and Khloé to reiterate their thoughts for the benefit of Kim’s social media followers, which number in excess of 100 million.
They duly did so in an exchange that is vacuous at best and exceptionally dangerous at worst.
Indeed, when it was suggested that Kim might be suffering from an eating disorder that claims the lives of 20 per cent of its sufferers if left untreated, the mother-of-three couldn’t hide her delight.
“No like, I’m really concerned. I don’t think you’re eating,” Kendall told her in footage which was uploaded to Instagram. “Like, you look so skinny.”
“What? Oh my God, thank you!” Kim shrieked.
“She’s anorexic here [gestures to waist], her arms are like pin thin, they’re like my pinky,” Khloé added.
And with that, Kim pressed ‘share’.
.@KimKardashian via Instagram Stories. pic.twitter.com/b9JnSGJIZw
— Kardashian Brasil (@kardashibrasil) July 29, 2018
Backlash was swift, derision almost immediate, and the cogs in the Kardashian machine seemingly whirred on.
Except this time, it’s different.
Three months on from the now infamous upload, the 37-year-old has admitted that she regrets the exchange.
Appearing as Ashley Graham’s first guest on the eponymously-named podcast this week, Kim said she understands the level of vitriol which was directed at her following the uploads.
Looking back, having said that, I 100 per cent completely understand where people are coming from. My intention is never to offend anyone and I apologise if I did that.
Claiming to be familiar with the effect eating disorders have on the individual, Kim is contrite, but insists the exchange was little more than ill-advised candour between siblings.
I know people who have serious eating disorders who have been in and out of the hospital for 15 years. Close people. I’ve experienced it enough to know better. When our sisters are laughing and joking… sometimes you can get carried away and just, it was insensitive.
So, why now?
After promoting appetite-suppressant lollipops to her online demographic – the majority of which are adolescent girls and young women – Kim didn’t appear regretful or feel the need to address the controversy in any substantial way.
After attempting to whittle her waist into almost non-existence before sharing the ‘efforts’ with her followers, Kim didn’t appear overly concerned about the message she was sending.
So, why is this different?
Well, while Kim was – up until July – undoubtedly perpetuating a hugely problematic narrative, she arguably hadn’t jumped in with both feet.
Yes, the lollipops were massively ill-advised and the waist-trainers symbolic of an aesthetically-obsessed society, but Kim was still in a position to argue that between lollipops and trainers, she does (and would recommend) indulging in three hearty meals a day while maintaining a balanced lifestyle.
But following the July exchange, she could no longer do that.
No matter how inaccurate the accusations of anorexia were, Kim’s reaction illustrated that the term was a coveted one; a description worthy of celebration.
Here we had one of the most famous influencers in the world shrieking with excitement over suggestions she might be suffering from a disease which her demographic are statistically most likely to develop and suffer from.
The criticism was completely accurate; Kim was unequivocally glorifying a fatal eating disorder with squeals of delight and words of thanks, and this time she was the very one who confirmed it.
