Kim Kardashian, queen of the internet, posted a nude photograph on Instagram two days ago and almost everyone with a Twitter account felt inclined to comment on her choice. “She’s a mother” cried some, “she’s always naked,” cried others. Basically, there were a ton of opinions out there that were neither relevant, nor would change the amount of commas in Kim’s bank account.
Kim usually errs on the side of quiet when it comes to public feuds, but much to our surprise she came out swinging with a series of killer no-holds-barred Twitter clapbacks—maybe that’s what her mysterious meeting with Amber Rose was all about: a masterclass in shade.
“Sorry I’m late to the party guys I was busy cashing my 80 million video game check & transferring 53 million into our joint account” began Kim’s Twitter shutdown. Within the space of 10 minutes, armed with only a keyboard, Kim proved she’s got enough paper for herself and her man, and nobody else is gonna get to her. The entire series of tweets will spawn thousands of memes over the next few days, but because of the issue at state—her bodily autonomy—Kim didn’t want to end things on a jovial note.
Come International Women’s Day, Kim released an extended essay which touched on topics we’ve been dying to see her cut loose on for years. “Hey, guys. I wanted to write a post elaborating on my tweets last night,” the essay opened, “In all seriousness, I never understand why people get so bothered by what other people choose to do with their lives. I don’t do drugs, I hardly drink, I’ve never committed a crime—and yet I’m a bad role model for being proud of my body?”
“It always seems to come back around to my sex tape,” Kim pointed out, “Yes, a sex tape that was made 13 years ago. 13 YEARS AGO. Literally that long ago. And people still want to talk about it?!?! I lived through the embarrassment and fear, and decided to say who cares, do better, move on. I shouldn’t have to constantly be on the defense, listing off my accomplishments just to prove that I am more than something that happened 13 years ago. Let’s move on, already. I have.”
For context, the tape (made with her partner at the time, Ray J) was leaked without Kim’s consent, yet people still point at it as proof of her weakness. If anything, it’s a testament to her strength. After all, Kim turned the leak into a million dollar empire. In a very early episode of KUWTK, Kourtney asks Kim why she made the tape. Kim’s response is equal parts casual and powerful: “because I was horny and I felt like it.” And what other reason would she have to give?
Echoing those comments nearly 10 years on, Kim’s essay continued, “I am empowered by my body. I am empowered by my sexuality. I am empowered by feeling comfortable in my skin. I am empowered by showing the world my flaws and not being afraid of what anyone is going to say about me. And I hope that through this platform I have been given, I can encourage the same empowerment for girls and women all over the world.”
Even Kanye got a shoutout: “I am empowered by my husband, who is so accepting and supportive and who has given me a newfound confidence in myself. He allows me to be me and loves me unconditionally.” Of course, the other Kardashian women are honored too, “I feel so lucky to have grown up surrounded by strong, driven, independent women. The life lessons I’ve learned from my sisters, my mother and my grandmother, I will pass along to my daughter. I want her to be proud of who she is. I want her to be comfortable in her body. I don’t want her to grow up in a world where she is made to feel less-than for embracing everything it means to be a woman.”
“It’s 2016,” Kim began to conclude, “The body-shaming and slut-shaming—it’s like, enough is enough. I will not live my life dictated by the issues you have with my sexuality. You be you and let me be me. I am a mother. I am a wife, a sister, a daughter, an entrepreneur and I am allowed to be sexy. #happyinternationalwomensday”
The essay might come as a surprise to some, but people often forget that Kim’s been speaking out for longer than she’s credited for. If we look back through her interview archive, she’s been championing her own body for nearly a decade. In 2007, she spoke to the New York Daily News about her decision to pose for Playboy: “I did it because I’m not one of those stick-skinny girls you see. I felt like girls today need to see a normal body.” Similarly, when she posed nude for PAPER she talked about how empowered it made her feel: “as a role model I’m not saying anyone else should do that, but for me, I did it as an art project that was going to make me feel confident and feel good. And it taught me to do what you want to do.”