Kim Kardashian posed nude on the cover of this month’s W Magazine. The reality persona is known for her sex tape with Ray J, the TV show “Keeping Up With the Kardashians” and general socialite antics. Kim Kardashian interests me, as she must interest most of America, which would explain her popularity. Though this woman is by no means a shrinking violet, there’s something about her I find neurotic.
I have no idea what Kim is like in real life, but the reasons she gives the public for doing things seem self-defeating. She doesn’t claim her actions as her own—she shies away from what has happened and then perseveres. Though this is brave, her motivations elude me—exemplified by this cover. Let me explain; she chose to pose nude not primarily because she’s satisfied with her body but because she wanted to have a last go of it “get it out of my system” before turning 30. I think it would be inspirational if someone like Kim Kardashian encouraged women that they can still be beautiful at age 31, or after hitting a social “expiration date”. The same thing is true of her sex tape; instead of making a porn of empowerment (it was “leaked”) and although it increased her popularity and made her $5 million, it also caused her great distress. I wish she would use her sexuality as something she’s proud of, instead of seeming victimized by it, or like it’s out of her control.
Once married to music producer Damon Thomas, who allegedly abused her, she is very much obsessed with the idea of love and marriage. Her twitter is full of “facebook wisdom” romance quotes: “ A successful relationship is all about fallin in luv with the same person over over again”. I feel like she infantilizes herself: “ I melt when someone calls me baby! *bbm blushing face*” which concerns me because of her example. What do you think Kim is up to? Do you think she is actually this way 24/7, or is she some sort of genius business woman dumbing herself down to be more likeable? I respect her more than Paris Hilton, though they both follow the same socialite-sex tape-millionaire trajectory.
There was an episode of “Keeping Up With the Kardashians” where Kim visits a psychic and says she pictured herself married with children by now. Kim Kardashian isn’t having as much fun as Paris was, though her typical twitter greeting is “Rise and Grind”. I feel like she really does want to settle down but it just hasn’t happened that way for her; something about these failed relationships and guys dogging her makes her seem preoccupied instead of strong and happily single. I want her to issue a statement tomorrow encouraging women that they’ll be beautiful after thirty, to still believe in love after an abusive relationship, and to be satisfied even without a husband and children. I want her to believe it.
