The Shady Side Of Kim Kardashian
Kim Kardashian's many shady moments have been documented on TV for years. Fans observed her many feuds with her sisters on "Keeping Up With The Kardashians." Viewers continued to watch the drama unfold on Hulu's "The Kardashians" — in 2021 and 2022, that included episodes concerning Kardashian and Kanye West's highly publicized divorce, and the emotional fallout that followed.
While her ex-boyfriend Pete Davidson barely appeared in Season 2 of the show, there was certainly enough drama happening behind the scenes. West's many shocking social media posts directed at the "Saturday Night Live" alum got so intense that Kardashian requested that the rapper put an end to his behavior. The Skims founder sent a text to him that read in part, "[You] are creating a dangerous and scary environment and someone will hurt Pete and this will be all your fault." By all accounts, Kardashian seemed reasonable in her shoutouts to her ex.
However, in the years that followed, fans speculated that she was covertly making shady statements against him. In 2022, that included her wearing a baseball cap bearing the slogan, "Not today, Satan" in what The Sun suggested was her attempt at addressing the musician's further online rants against herself and her mom, Kris Jenner. On her Instagram Stories in 2023, she was rumored to have thrown shade at West's new wife, Bianca Censori, by sharing the 21 Savage and Drake track, "More M's" featuring the lyric, "Put her Skims on, now she acting like she Kim." That aside, Kardashian has a history of more blatantly shady behavior.
Kim got involved with Kanye West's feud with Drake
Kim Kardashian has a history of sticking up for her loved ones, so she quickly came to Kanye West's defense during his feud with Drake. The rappers' years-long beef included back-and-forth digs at each other through their music. At one point, Drake even believed that West had been blabbing about him secretly fathering a son — however, it was later revealed that one of Drake's colleagues had shared the information. The "Jimmy Cooks" rapper later announced to the world that he had fathered a son, Adonis, years prior, but he seemed to think West had betrayed him at the time.
Eventually, Kardashian revealed just how intense things were between the two rappers behind the scenes. In 2018, the reality star even took to Twitter to address the "Hotline Bling" star about his alleged threats to her husband, writing, "[Drake], never threaten my husband or our family. He paved the way for there to be a Drake." Kardashian followed up this message with a second tweet in which she gushed over her husband's success and accomplishments.
These days, the two rappers are no longer enemies. In 2021, Kanye West and Drake made it clear they had ended their beef –- at least for the time being –- when they both performed at the "Free Larry Hoover" benefit concert.
Her fight with Kourtney Kardashian shocked fans
Season 18 of "Keeping Up With The Kardashians" started off with what would become one of the most shocking moments in the show's history. The iconic cat fight between Kim and Kourtney Kardashian had audiences hooked. It all started when the sisters got into an argument over Kourtney's work ethic. "If I were on my deathbed, I would still show up," Kim said during the episode, arguing that she would never cancel a business commitment. "Mom is so used to ... me and Khloe, whenever, if we're sick... [Kourtney] you don't care about stuff." Kourtney didn't appreciate Kim's shady statement, saying, "You act like I don't do s***. You have this narrative in your mind. No, no, no, I will literally f*** you up." The Poosh founder then initiated a physical altercation that resulted in her coming to blows with Kim. Khloe attempted to break the two up, but they continued their fight.
Luckily, the sisters were able to move past the argument and they seem to be back on good terms. Khloe reflected on the fight during a "KUWTK" reunion special in 2021. She explained that the family originally didn't want the controversial clip to air, but they later decided to keep the altercation in the episode. Khloe also opened up about her and Kendall's reaction to the fight, stating, "My mom wasn't there and Kendall and I were, kind of, just in shock," per Insider.
The controversial beef between Kim Kardashian and Taylor Swift
The feud between Kim Kardashian, Kanye West, and Taylor Swift goes way back. You might recall that it all started when West interrupted Swift's acceptance speech at the 2009 MTV Video Music Awards. The artists eventually made amends, but that was unfortunately not the end of their beef. In 2016, West released his controversial song, "Famous," which included the lyrics, "I feel like me and Taylor might still have sex, why? I made that b***h famous." The song was accompanied by a music video featuring sculptures that resembled a group of celebrities in bed together. Swift, Kardashian, and West were the among celebrities depicted by the naked figures.
As you can imagine, Swift -– and most of the internet -– seemed to be appalled by "Famous" and its music video. The "Blank Space" singer indirectly addressed West's song lyrics during her acceptance speech at the 2016 Grammys. Soon after, Kardashian spoke out in West's defense in an interview with GQ, alleging that Swift gave him permission to include lyrics about her in "Famous." Swift's team denied this claim, per E! News, but Kardashian went in on the star again during an episode of "Keeping Up With The Kardashians" in 2016. Even after the back and forth about leaked footage of the highly debated phone call between West and Swift, this controversy still hasn't been resolved.
Kim clapped back at Bette Midler and Chloe Grace Mortez
In 2016, Kim Kardashian broke the internet by sharing a nude selfie to Instagram and Twitter. The racy photo featured the reality TV star standing in front of a mirror with nothing but two black censor bars covering her body. The selfie garnered a reaction from numerous celebrities, many of whom seemed to find the pic distasteful. For example, the notoriously opinionated Piers Morgan tweeted, "I know the old man's $50 million in debt, Kim — but this is absurd. Want me to buy you some clothes?" Chloe Grace Mortez also chimed in, writing, "I truly hope you realize how important setting goals are for young women, teaching them we have so much more to offer." Kardashian wasn't happy about Mortez's tweet, and she decided to clap back at the actor. "Let's all welcome [Chloe Grace Moretz] to Twitter, since no one knows who she is. Your nylon cover is cute boo," she replied to the star on Twitter.
Bette Midler was also among the celebrities who criticized Kardashian's photo, writing in a tweet, "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." The reality TV star didn't hesitate to reply, replying to the star's message by stating, "Hey [Bette Midler], I know it's past your bedtime but if you're still up and reading this send nudes."
The business mogul defended Rob Kardashian
Adrienne Bailon and Rob Kardashian's relationship was certainly one for the books. Bailon made headlines when she got the reality TV star's name tattooed on her lower back — but she later accused Rob of cheating during their relationship. The former "The Real" host didn't get the infamous tattoo removed until years later, in 2015 – and that wasn't the only drama their relationship stirred up.
Rob's famous ex opened up about their tumultuous relationship during an interview for Latina magazine (via Page Six) in 2014. "It's common knowledge that he cheated on me. It always bothered me that people were like, 'Pero, why wouldn't you forgive him?'" Bailon told the outlet. She went on to share that being featured on "Keeping Up With The Kardashians" hurt her reputation.
Kim later took to Twitter to defend her brother against Bailon's statements. "Funny how she says being with a Kardashian hurt her career yet the only reason she has this article is [because] she is talking about a Kardashian," the Skims founder wrote. She shared a few other messages that made it clear she isn't afraid of confrontation. In a separate tweet, Kim wrote, "So sad when people try to kick my brother when he is down." It looks like Kim always puts her family first – even when their actions are questionable.
Kim Kardashian received backlash for dissing Indian food
There are many old episodes of "Keeping Up With The Kardashians" that probably still haunt Kim Kardashian to this day. One of these earlier episodes resulted in a scandal that led many to label the reality TV star as culturally insensitive. In 2012, Kardashian announced on an episode of the E! reality show that she was repulsed by Indian food, per the New York Post. This statement didn't go over well with viewers, and many took to Twitter to express their concerns. "I think it's good Kim Kardashian doesn't like Indian food because that means she won't ever visit India and that in itself is a blessing," one user wrote.
Kardashian took to her blog to issue an apology after the backlash began rolling in. "There are a lot of foods I don't like," she shared (via the Daily Mail). "I hate cilantro [coriander] and peppers, and there are definitely some Armenian foods that I personally find disgusting, but that doesn't reflect my opinions on other Armenian people or my culture." The reality TV star went on to insist that she meant no harm and only intended to share her opinion.
Kim Kardashian posed with her husband's ex
Kim Kardashian shocked fans when she posed alongside her husband's ex-girlfriend, Amber Rose, for an Instagram photo in 2016. This selfie was particularly unexpected because of Rose's long-standing beef with Kanye West. That same year, the rapper even took to Twitter to shade Rose and her former boyfriend, rapper Wiz Khalifa. In the since-deleted tweet in which he referenced the model's former profession, he wrote to Khalifa, "You let a stripper trap you." He added, "I know you mad every time you look at your child that this girl got you for 18 years ... don't ever come out the side of your neck at me."
Rose didn't let West get away with these comments, firing back with some revealing claims. Her now-deleted Tweet read, "Awww [Kanye West] are [you] mad I'm not around to play in ur a***ole anymore?" You would think that such an intense feud would end any possibility of Kardashian and Rose posing for a selfie together, but it seems the reality TV star didn't mind ruffling her then-husband's feathers. In 2022, Rose referenced Kardashian again in an apology shared on her Instagram Story. She explained that she regretted bringing the family into her conflict with West.
She defended Jeffree Star
Kim Kardashian upset fans when she took to Snapchat to defend controversial beauty influencer Jeffree Star. The makeup mogul previously faced backlash for numerous controversies, including racist remarks and conflicts with other influencers, so fans were quick to call Kardashian out when she sympathized with the YouTuber in 2017.
The drama unfolded after the reality TV star addressed a group of her fans who sent Star hate after he criticized her makeup-swatching skills. "I see you being so petty, bringing up things in his past where he, you know, was negative, but he's also apologized for those things," she said in the Snapchat video. "And I get it's a serious deal if you say racial things, but I do believe in people changing, and people that apologize, I will give them the benefit of the doubt."
Fans then took to social media to make it clear that they were disappointed in Kardashian. "In the wake of Charlottesville, Kim K really decides to stand up for [Jeffree Star] and his racist past ... and her contour kits will still sell out," one Twitter user wrote. It seems that after some self-reflection, the reality TV star decided that she shouldn't have defended the controversial influencer, because she later apologized in a separate Snapchat video.
The business owner was called out for cultural appropriation
Kim Kardashian's Skims shapewear line seems to be doing well these days, but you might recall that the business got off to a rough start. The star was called out after she revealed that the brand would be called "Kimono," prompting fans on social media to suggest that the brand name was a form of cultural appropriation. Design industry professional Sono Fukunishi even started a petition to get Kardashian to change the name of the clothing line. According to a translation of the petition description from The New York Times, Fukunishi wrote: "I do not wish to share the word with an underwear brand. Kimono means 'clothing' in Japanese."
Kardashian was responsive to the backlash and later agreed to change her brand's name. An episode of "Keeping Up With The Kardashians" documented the controversy. On the show, Kardashian revealed that she could lose $10 million if she made a name change. She also explained why she felt it was important to respect Japanese culture. "That's not what the brand is even about," the reality TV star said on the show (via Metro). "It's about inclusivity, it's about comfort. It's not about making people feel uncomfortable.'" In the end, Kardashian settled on the name Skims, and it appears to be far more well-received that the brand's initial moniker.
Ray J alleged that the sex tape scandal was a planned business deal
Kim Kardashian and rapper Ray J's leaked sex tape scandal resurfaced after a shocking tell-all interview may have uncovered new details. The singer told his side of the story after an episode of Hulu's "The Kardashians" revealed that the rapper's manager had allegedly told Kardashian he had a second sex tape in his possession Ray J claimed this was untrue and that the entire tape debacle was a business arrangement. "I've never leaked anything," the rapper told the Daily Mail. "I have never leaked a sex tape in my life ... It's always been a deal and a partnership between Kris Jenner and Kim and me and we've always been partners since the beginning of this thing."
He went on to claim that he pitched the idea to release a video after seeing how Paris Hilton's sex tape contributed to her fame. The rapper explained that Kardashian was on board with the idea and even got Kris Jenner involved. Ray J also continued to deny that he was ever in possession of the tapes. "I never had a single one at my house –- she had them at her house," he told the Daily Mail. "She's always had all the tapes in a Nike shoe box under her bed." This contradicts the claims Kardashian made on her family's Hulu show, so it seems one of these stars might not be telling the truth.
She was interviewed as part of an FBI investigation
Kim Kardashian is among the celebrities who had ties to fugitive businessman Jho Low. The wealthy alleged scammer was accused of stealing billions from the Malaysian sovereign-wealth fund, 1MDB. Along the way, he befriended Hollywood elites and showered them with lavish (and very, very expensive) gifts. Kardashian found herself involved in an FBI investigation due to her involvement with Low.
Kardashian's FBI interview reveals that she met the businessman during a nightclub appearance in Las Vegas. They eventually became gambling buddies, and Low helped the reality TV star win big. According to Kardashian's FBI interview, the businessman allowed her to keep his gambling earnings of $350,000 during a night out in Las Vegas, per Bloomberg. Low was also said to have given Kardashian's then-husband, Kris Humphries, a $100,000 cash gift which he spent on fireworks for their 2011 wedding.
Kardashian and Low's friendship apparently ended while she was dating Kanye West. The rapper performed at the financier's yacht party. However, according to Kardashian's FBI interview, West was through with him after that because he felt that Low "pays for friends." As you may have guessed, Kardashian claims she didn't know the details of where Low got his money from. However, it seems that she had no problem accepting gifts from the very wealthy businessman despite that.