From their extensively edited social media posts to their fitness shows and weight reduction adventures, the Kardashians have been renowned for marketing unattainable body ideals. Even they, it appears, are not immune to the constraints of preserving a pristine image.
Khloé Kardashian experienced outrage in 2021 after an unedited bikini photo of her was posted online. She allegedly threatened legal action to have the image removed; sparking a discussion about the impact of unrealistic beauty standards on women’s mental health. Yet, this is not a black-and-white situation, since Khloé has been subjected to years of body shaming and online abuse; which has left her feeling uneasy about her image.
Now, Khloé has taken control of her image by publishing unedited bikini photos on her own terms. Khloé shows off her cellulite as she was photographed by her sister Kendall Jenner in natural light. This decision has been lauded as a step towards self-acceptance and body positivity; even if it does not completely erase the messaging of a decade of heavily edited posts.
It is critical to recognize the Kardashians’ deep and multifaceted influence on beauty standards. While they may foster false expectations, they also suffer from their own self-image and mental health. Khloé’s decision to post unedited photos of herself is a modest but major step towards encouraging self-acceptance and love. This move, hopefully, will inspire others to accept their own apparent flaws and reject the idea of a perfect physique.
