HOW THE MEDIA BODY SHAMED KIM KARDASHIAN DURING HER PREGNANCY WITH NORTH WEST
I researched Kim Kardashian and the public image that is shaped through online body shaming. For me, it is always interesting to read the articles written about how Kimberly (negatively) influences the body image of the youth. With this piece, I would like to give you a different narrative on this subject. Let’s talk about how Kim Kardashian is body shamed by the media.
Now let me take you with me into this research:
KEY
There are different doors we can open when talking about body shaming and the media. That’s why I want to tell you the key elements in which I framed my research (so don’t come at me because I didn’t talk about different subjects such as Kim’s influence on our society, that’s a whole different research and will come in the future):
1. In this research the shaping of the body image of Kardashian is researched through opinions and content written by tabloids, instead of Kardashian’s own perception.
2. This study focuses on a specific momentum of Kardashian’s life when she was pregnant with her first-born North West in 2013.
3. An important point of view that needs to be considered while conducting this research is the difference between the public figure Kim Kardashians and the private human-being Kim Kardashian. This research focuses on Kim Kardashian as a woman that has her own private rights.
4. This research considers feminism and women's empowerment as the cultural viewpoint.
KUESTION
The question I want to answer is: How is Kim Kardashian’s public image shaped through online body shaming?
KLARIFICATION
When looking at the content of the tabloids, one pattern that is clearly shown is the use of diet deals as reasoning of gain weight, instead of the pregnancy in which Kim Kardashian is involved. Archive Indian Express explains Kardashian's weight gain as follows:
‘The 32-year-old 'Keeping Up With the Kardashian' star is expecting her first child with rapper Kanye West and has been spotted gorging on ice creams and frozen yogurt’
Whilst it is stated that Kimberly is indeed pregnant, the main focus of the rest of the article is the fact that Kim has been spotted ‘gorging’ on ice creams and frozen yogurt for business purposes. Besides this tabloid, In Touch Weekly states the following:
‘Kim Kardashian may not be thrilled about the pregnancy weight she’s gained over the past several months, but there’s something else she’s likely to gain in the process: a fat paycheck!’.
In Touch, 2013
In Touch, 2013
Like Archive Indian Express, In Touch Weekly also puts the focus of the content on the fact that Kardashian is gaining weight for a diet deal, instead of gaining weight because of the pregnancy. The implications of the claims made for Kim Kardashian using her pregnancy for business opportunities result in a negative view of body image. The body in this case is portrayed as a product that serves for money, whereas the purpose of the body in the case of Kardashian is to grow a child. Also, the background of Kardashian, where she is known for her body image and curves, the messages told by the tabloids surrounding the pregnancy, and the business deals are in line with Kardashian's public figure. But, the ‘private’ person/woman that Kardashian also is, has the right to gain weight during pregnancy, without aiming for money.
The second interesting pattern that can be found within the research of the content of tabloids on the first pregnancy Kardashian, is the fact that Kim Kardashian is portrayed as a naïve person, while not understanding how pregnancy works. Mamamia.com explains that Kim Kardashian ‘doesn’t quite understand how pregnancy/science/the Circle of Life works’ while following that it is not a god that made Kim gain weight, but her pregnancy. Even though it may seem that this is a reaction to a statement by Kardashian saying that she does not understand why she is gaining weight during pregnancy, this content is a reaction of Kim Kardashian stating that God is testing her vanity by making her first pregnancy hard to handle due to weight gain and other problematic complications.
The writer of the written content on Mamamia.com seems to keep this information in the background, more focusing on ‘explaining’ to Kim how pregnancy works in an easy and almost childish tone of voice. The implication regarding the message that Kardashian does not seem to understand how the circle of life works, is that Kardashian is portrayed as a naïve and even ‘stupid’ woman. This seems to be in line with her public figure where she seems to be successful without having any knowledge or talent. By clearly stating that there is a center of attention on explaining how pregnancy works and seeming to make fun of the reality star, the tabloids are hurting the image of Kardashian.
Keeping Up With The Kardashians
Other findings that are found in the content of the tabloids focus on standing up for Kim Kardashian and her pregnancy. Vogue, as well as Celeb Dirty Laundy, explain that the comments on Kim Kardashians' pregnancy are very ‘cruel’ and ‘unnecessary’. Celeb Dirty Laundry also makes notes that there is no likeability when it comes to Kardashian by stating:
‘God, I hate the fact that I’m defending Kim on this one but comparing these two and their body types is just stupid not to mention mean.'
This motivates the reader to reflect on the comments from a different point of view, rather than if there is some kind of likeability toward the star. The tabloids refer to different other tabloids that are body shaming Kardashian or comparing her to other pregnant celebrities like Kate Middleton, which is not important since Kardashian is pregnant and carrying a child.
YOU, 2013
Twitter.com/whoworeitbetter, 2013
Vogue explains further that every female and every body is different during pregnancy. The fact that Kardashian is gaining a lot of weight is a natural development, in which she does not have any influence. It is interesting to acknowledge the fact that these tabloids seem to defend Kardashian in front of attacks made by other tabloids.
So, the findings of the analysis of the tabloids show that there are a lot of comments regarding the size and weight of pregnant Kim Kardashian. Kardashian is portrayed as a businesswoman that is only gaining weight regarding a business deal. Not only that, but Kardashian is also compared to a whale AND to Kate Middleton who seemed to look slim, and curvy & was compared to a ‘milf’ during her pregnancy. The use of the word ‘milf’ also insinuates that women that are mothers are also sexualized in a way where they have to look young and ‘sexy’ to be named a milf.
Kimberly was framed as this female celebrity who is not staying active and ‘fit’ while forgetting that Kardashian also has a public-private self, that has the right to eat ice cream or frozen yogurt at any time of wanting. It is also interesting to see that none of the tabloids talk about pregnancy, and how that could have an impact on Kardashian’s weight or memory. Compared to the tabloids who are body shaming Kardashian, there are little tabloids (like Vogue) that stood up for the celebrity and the body-shaming she is concurring.
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