Kim Kardashian fired up the internet when she uploaded the campaign advertisement for her own cosmetic line, KKW Beauty, on Tuesday. In the photo, the TV personality was looking more tanned than her natural color which has caused her followers to react in a negative way. Most of them took offense at the socialite's "blackface" ad, while others were unstoppable from attacking the model and her brand.
I love Kim but that's def black face in the form of makeup she is no where near that dark
— Jasmin Leigh (@RealJasminLeigh) June 14, 2017
Despite the surge of angry comments on her social media account, the "Keeping Up with the Kardashians" star refused to delete the controversial photo which now has almost 3,000 retweets and over 14,000 likes.
#KKWBEAUTY Creme Contour & Highlight Kit 6.21.17 https://t.co/PoBZ3bhjs8 pic.twitter.com/hXLa3XHuVB
— Kim Kardashian West (@KimKardashian) June 14, 2017
While many were offended by Kim's KKW Beauty ad, some of her followers have stood by her and defended the model from her critics and detractors. Most of them explained the difference between "contour" and "blackface," and asked the haters to stop attacking the TV personality.
I really don't see the issue with wanting to be more tanned or coloured. Same if black people wanted to go lighter. Its not racist.
— Lancashire Ghosts (@LancsGhosts) June 16, 2017
'We saw the problem'
During her interview with the New York Times, Kim addressed the issue and explained that she was "really tan" when they shot the cosmetic ad.
The "KUWTK" cast added she has presented the photo to her colleagues in the business and no one had told her that the photo was offensive in any way.
She even expressed her "utmost respect" to those who were offended by the advert and guaranteed that her team has made the necessary changes for the campaign materials.
Kim and her team acknowledged the issue and understood where the people are coming from.
The mother-of-two also said she has Learned from this controversy and assured that it was never her intention to offend a particular race or anyone.
In the same interview, the 36-year-old Kardashian was asked about her transition to move to a more natural look, to which she answered, came after she became a mother. Despite her decision to wear lighter make-up, the "KUWTK" star said she tries to complement this look by adding a bit of a bronzy touch.
On establishing her own make-up line
Kim was previously tied into a licensing deal with her sisters in a joint makeup line before she ventured out of their partnership. Regardless of her decision to do things on her own, the former "Dancing with the Stars" contestant said she has learned a lot from Kylie's cosmetic brand.
In fact, the older Kardashian is currently working with the same manufacturer as her sister's for KKW Beauty. "But the lines, they’re totally separate. We don’t really talk to each other about what we’re doing and what our formulas are," Kim explained.