Words by Nick Slay
Kim Kardashian dropped a bombshell on the most recent episode on Keeping Up With the Kardashian.
The reality star confessed that she suffers from body dysmorphia. Although this may sound like a Sy-fy movie title, it’s actually a serious condition that affects 2.2% of the female population. It is a psychological condition associated with perception of one’s own body appearance. Everyone deals with their personal insecurities but it’s a bit more difficult to face when you’re constantly in the spotlight.
Kim admitted that her BDD was triggered by all the negative comments she received following the leak of untouched bikini photos. The mother of two, explained that it was supposed to be a private vacation (without social media posting) in Mexico due to her high anxiety with having appropriate security. In a reaction to the shots, Kim revealed, “ Then they [paparazzi] take pictures and if they’re not perfect, people just body-shame you and criticize you. For people to think that’s OK, it’s so frustrating.”
For many young girls, body shaming is all too common. Many black and latina girls are overloaded with images of women with perfect shaped bodies in TV, magazines, and social media. In Hip Hop culture where many of the most recognizable artists and models have perfect curves and big booties there seems to be very high expectations. And for the media icon that is Kim Kardashian West, she is at the forefront of the controversy.
