Kim Kardashian responded to controversy surrounding fashion brand Balenciaga by saying she was “reevaluating her relationship” with the company on Sunday.
“I have been quiet for the past few days, not because I haven’t been disgusted and outraged by the recent Balenciaga campaigns, but because I wanted an opportunity to speak to their team to understand for myself how this could have happened,” Kardashian said in a Sunday Twitter post. “As a mother of four, I have been shaken by the disturbing images. The safety of children must be held with the highest regard and any attempts to normalize child abuse of any kind should have no place in our society — period.”
As a mother of four, I have been shaken by the disturbing images. The safety of children must be held with the highest regard and any attempts to normalize child abuse of any kind should have no place in our society — period.
— Kim Kardashian (@KimKardashian) November 27, 2022
“I appreciate Balenciaga’s removal of the campaigns and apology. In speaking with them, I believe they understand the seriousness of the issue and will take the necessary measures for this to never happen again,” Kardashian continued. “As for my future with Balenciaga, I am currently re-evaluating my relationship with the brand, basing it off their willingness to accept accountability for something that should have never happened to begin with — & the actions I am expecting to see them take to protect children.”
As for my future with Balenciaga, I am currently re-evaluating my relationship with the brand, basing it off their willingness to accept accountability for something that should have never happened to begin with — & the actions I am expecting to see them take to protect children.
— Kim Kardashian (@KimKardashian) November 28, 2022
Kardashian was criticized for not explicitly ending her relationship with the company.
“Cut ties completely or you’re full of s—, Kim. You are very obviously kicking the ball down the road so you can continue your business relationship with them once this blows over,” said YouTuber Blaire White.
“It’s not difficult to draw the line at child porn, and your inability to do so is telling.”
Cut ties completely or you're full of shit, Kim.
You are very obviously kicking the ball down the road so you can continue your business relationship with them once this blows over.
It's not difficult to draw the line at child porn, and your inability to do so is telling.
— BLAIRE WHITE (@MsBlaireWhite) November 28, 2022
“Kim Kardashian got a divorce over a MAGA hat but is trying to work things out with a pedophile business,” said another user.
“You, as a mother certainly cannot be that ’shocked’ if you’re taking time to ‘re-evaluate.’ You’re a BIILIONAIRE. Do You really need to? Oh..I get it..you really were not surprised you shilled for weirdo pedophiles. I get it,” said YouTuber Jeremy Hambly, who goes by the online persona “the Quartering”
You, as a mother certainly cannot be that "shocked" if you're taking time to "re-evaluate". You're a BIILIONAIRE. Do You really need to? Oh..I get it..you really were not surprised you shilled for weirdo pedophiles. I get it.
— TheQuartering (@TheQuartering) November 28, 2022
“Kim you don’t need the money from them. The red line has been crossed and as a mother of four and decent human being, you know that. There is no grey area here,” said Gays Against Groomers.
“Do the right thing and end your relationship with them, otherwise this whole statement is a wash.”
Kim you don’t need the money from them. The red line has been crossed and as a mother of four and decent human being, you know that. There is no grey area here. Do the right thing and end your relationship with them, otherwise this whole statement is a wash.
— Gays Against Groomers (@againstgrmrs) November 28, 2022
Earlier this month, Balenciaga received backlash after publishing sexually charged images featuring children in their holiday marketing campaign. The advertisement featured several images of a young girl with a teddy bear appearing to wear a bondage outfit typically attributed with sexual activities.
One photo featured a handbag on top of paperwork laying on a desk. The paperwork conspicuously featured 2008 court case United States v. Williams, which, upon appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court, found that the proliferation of child pornography did not violate the First Amendment.
The company released a statement following the controversy though appeared to scrub their social media accounts shortly after.
