Kim Kardashian is all over the news for being naked on the internet again. And, as ever, her unclad body is being met with plenty of opinions.
When she posted a naked selfie on Instagram and Twitter on Monday with the caption, “When you’re like I have nothing to wear LOL” haters and lovers in (sort of) equal measure were quick to wade in with comments that were appreciative, disparaging and everything in between.
She shared the photo on Twitter again on International Women’s Day under the Women’s Day hashtag, which only added fuel to the fire.
Mostly, the internet just became a collective groan. While some people harked back to her sex tape days and commented that she’ll do anything to stay famous, others reminded her that she is a mother now. People even Photoshopped clothes on her, or went the other way, and reimagined her completely nude.
Kim K has clearly had enough. After tweeting responses to criticism, including some aimed at high-profile figures like Bette Midler and Piers Morgan (who wrote a Daily Mail column about her), she took to her website yesterday and penned an essay defending her decision to keep up the thigh gap-promoting, bank balance-enhancing nude selfies.
“Hey, guys. I wanted to write a post elaborating on my tweets last night,” she writes. “In all seriousness, I never understand why people get so bothered by what other people choose to do with their lives. I don’t do drugs, I hardly drink, I’ve never committed a crime—and yet I’m a bad role model for being proud of my body?”
She continues, chastising the public for referring to her infamous sex tape:
“It always seems to come back around to my sex tape. Yes, a sex tape that was made 13 years ago. 13 YEARS AGO. Literally that lonnng ago. And people still want to talk about it?!?! I lived through the embarrassment and fear, and decided to say who cares, do better, move on. I shouldn’t have to constantly be on the defence, listing off my accomplishments just to prove that I am more than something that happened 13 years ago.”
Kim continues: “I am empowered by my body. I am empowered by my sexuality. I am empowered by feeling comfortable in my skin. I am empowered by showing the world my flaws and not being afraid of what anyone is going to say about me. And I hope that through this platform I have been given, I can encourage the same empowerment for girls and women all over the world.”
She also referenced hubby Kanye, who she says “empowers” her with his love.
She continues the post by saying she feels lucky to have grown up “surrounded by strong, driven, independent women” and then mentions her daughter. “I want her to be comfortable in her body. I don’t want her to grow up in a world where she is made to feel less-than for embracing everything it means to be a woman.”
Her parting words are: “It’s 2016. The body-shaming and slut-shaming—it’s like, enough is enough. I will not live my life dictated by the issues you have with my sexuality. You be you and let me be me. I am a mother. I am a wife, a sister, a daughter, an entrepreneur and I am allowed to be sexy.”
That’s us told.
HAPPY #INTERNATIONALWOMENSDAY https://t.co/PStwuNp9bl pic.twitter.com/QFI40gkyUO
— Kim Kardashian West (@KimKardashian) March 8, 2016
Kim Kardashian tweeted a nude selfie today. If Kim wants us to see a part of her we’ve never seen,
she’s gonna have to swallow the camera.— Bette Midler (@BetteMidler) March 7, 2016
@KimKardashian This day is for reserved for women who have actually achieved something in life. This is not an achievement. #Bye
— Mike Mason (@MikeMason830) March 9, 2016
@KimKardashian This tweet was pretty genius! Make that money!!
— Perez (@ThePerezHilton) March 8, 2016
@KimKardashian, accept that you’re a pornstar. And that’s okay, pornstars are people too. Just admit it so people will move on. @BetteMidler
— Brando (@BelBivBrando) March 8, 2016
@KimKardashian QUEEN
— clara (@ALYCIACALLME) March 8, 2016