Critics are claiming Kim Kardashian West was styled in subtle blackface for her latest magazine cover.

Twitter users note the hair, makeup, lighting, and possible editing used on Kardashian made her appearance similar to the likes of Dorothy Dandridge and Diana Ross.

Photos from Kim Kardashian West’s latest cover story for 7HOLLYWOOD magazine were released yesterday, and needless to say, they have people talking.

Twitter went wild with reactions to the reality star's darker appearance, claiming that the lighting, hair and makeup, and retouching were done in a way to make her look like a Black woman.

This content is imported from Twitter. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.

Wearing Mugler Private Archives for @7hollywood_mag. ✨✨✨ WHAT A DREAM ✨✨✨

Art Direction by @manfredthierrymugler. Photographed by @alixmalka

Styled by @maryammalakpour

Make Up @makeupbymario

Hair @peter.savic pic.twitter.com/x1hJ50H3q8 — Kim Kardashian West (@KimKardashian) December 19, 2019

Some mainstream media outlets have praised the glamorous shoot , stating that the clear inspiration behind the editorial derived from old Hollywood film icons such as Elizabeth Taylor and Sophia Loren. Some passionate Twitter users thought otherwise, however, pointing out Kim’s uncanny resemblance to legendary Black stars such as Dorothy Dandrige, Diahann Carroll, Diana Ross, and even modern day muses like Taraji P. Henson and Tracee Ellis Ross.

“Kim’s race play is getting so intense and, like, studied?,” tweeted New Yorker writer Doreen St. Felix. “The kanekalon [hair], the Diahann Carroll wig.”

Other critics made sure to mention this isn’t the first—and probably won’t be the last—time that a Kardashian tangos with cultural appropriation.

“The thing with Kim Kardashian and her family’s tireless history of cultural appropriation and Blackfishing is that she knows better. They know better,” tweeted writer Wanna Thompson. “But they continue to do this because they know outrage sells. They’re able to keep their name relevant by doing things like THIS.”

This content is imported from Twitter. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.

I can ignore a lot of what comes out of the Kardashian-West house of hell but this bugs me so incredibly much. They did not drain an entire “whites only pool” after Dorothy Dandridge put her toe in for Kim K to play dress up pic.twitter.com/RIHB3YFBG9 — Scary Bradshaw 🕷👠 (@biancaxunise) December 19, 2019

This content is imported from Twitter. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.

Rachel Dolezal walked so that Kim Kardashian could run.



...all the way into blackface with a budget. https://t.co/ZD9XnPhSOG — Penny Youngleson (@pennyyoungleson) December 19, 2019

This content is imported from Twitter. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.

I didn’t recognize Kim Kardashian, and I guess that was the point. Negative or positive press is still press. But truly, this is really gross that she’s normalizing blackface for young kids to follow suit. Kim pretends to be a role model and then she reminds us that she isn’t. https://t.co/TEWetk8j4t — InMinivanHell (@inminivanhell) December 19, 2019

A source close to Kardashian spoke to Page Six defending the shoot stating, “It’s the lighting that makes her look darker in this specific image. There are multiple covers and images from this shoot where the lighting looks more natural.”

The source continued, “People are so quick to find the negative in everything and also often forget that she is of Armenian descent.”

Kim's Armenian background doesn’t deny the fact that she benefits from some privileges that other women of color do not. While she can choose to experiment with looks popularized by Black women—whether it’s rocking 26-inch extensions, box braids, or her now-signature curvy body type—Black women themselves don't have the luxury of having their appearances be a changeable trend or fleeting fashion phase.

Whether the intention behind the editorial was to shock or not, today’s cultural status quo hasn’t changed. Kim Kardashian is celebrated for what Black women have merely wanted to be accepted and credited for their entire lives.

This content is created and maintained by a third party, and imported onto this page to help users provide their email addresses. You may be able to find more information about this and similar content at piano.io