Kim Kardashian has made an empire hawking products and services that are meant to “better” one’s physical appearance. Whether branding a line of cosmetics, or posting to social media the benefits of using a waist-trainer, Kardashian’s fortune capitalizes on society’s insecurities. However, her latest business venture is being criticized for its shameless promotion of shallow betterment.
The Keeping Up with the Kardashians star shared an image on Instagram of her sucking on a lollipop that apparently contains appetite suppressing properties. Created by a company named Flat Tummy Co., this product is designed to be taken when experiencing hunger cravings. The post has since deleted, but the backlash remains fervent.
Jameela Jamil, an ex-radio host in the UK, took to Twitter to slam the mogul for her involvement in advertising a crooked dietary supplement. Jamil harshly exclaims how Kardashian is a “toxic and terrible influence on young girls.” The founder of I Weigh, a social media campaign geared towards supplanting society’s focus on their physical appearance by recognizing their achievements as human beings, further notes how “this family makes me feel actual despair over what women are reduced to.”
No. Fuck off. No. You terrible and toxic influence on young girls. I admire their mother’s branding capabilities, she is an exploitative but innovative genius, however this family makes me feel actual despair over what women are reduced to. ☹️ pic.twitter.com/zDPN1T8sBM
— Jameela Jamil (@jameelajamil) May 16, 2018
The general public has shared similar sentiments on Twitter, who are as equally outraged as Jamil.
How desperate are you for the money @KimKardashian? I refuse to believe that some tin-pot lollipop making company is paying you THAT MUCH that you lose all common sense to think about the message that this sends your fans and followers. It’s outrageously irresponsible. pic.twitter.com/0225RioSfl
— Vix Meldrew (@VixMeldrew) May 16, 2018
Eating disorders are a very real issue for a lot of young people and to see Kim Kardashian actively encouraging her fans to develop an unhealthy relationship with food is terrifying and gravely concerning. pic.twitter.com/hhFYBbm8hL
— Dr. Liam Hackett (@DiageoLiam) May 16, 2018
Surely Kim Kardashian has enough money (and sense) to turn down an advertisement deal for an "appetite suppressing" lollipop???
— Stokes (@HannahStokes97) May 16, 2018
@KimKardashian whatever they paid you for that lollipop ad has cost you your integrity. It's uninformed, unhealthy and irresponsible🤦🏼♀️🤦🏼♀️🤦🏼♀️ and did you reaaaally need the money?
— Gg (@georgiamvg) May 16, 2018