Kim Kardashian discusses fame, missteps at Forbes summit
Kim Kardashian West takes her status as a role model seriously, and says part of
that is owning up to her past mistakes and not letting online hatred distract
her from her goals.
The reality show star spoke to The Associated Press Tuesday before taking the
stage as one of the keynote speakers at the annual Forbes Women's Summit. Her
wide-ranging conversations touched on how hurtful comments affect her, her
still-growing brand, how the robbery in Paris has changed her life and husband
Kanye West's photographic ability, or lack thereof.
Kardashian West told the AP she is aware of her detractors, but said she has
a bigger message of positivity to share.
"I obviously have made my fair share of mistakes like everyone else, but I
hope to never repeat those mistakes, and just learn from what I've done," she
said. "So if people, or young girls, or kids can look up to just someone that
works really hard, and focuses on really what I want, and makes that happen,
then you know I hope that inspires them."
Earlier in the day, Kardashian West added to that brand as announced the
launch of her beauty line KKW. Forbes just released its 2017 list ranking the
world's highest-paid celebrities and Kardashian came in at number 47 with $45.5
million.
Kardashian West has a combined 180 million followers on Instagram, Twitter,
and Facebook, and has mastered each platform for maximum exposure for her
overall brand, something she attributes to a simple rule.
"The most important thing is being authentic, and listening," she said.
With that many followers, Kardashian West said she knows there's going to be a
certain level of negative comments, which of course bother her.
"Absolutely it affects me... there could be one or two negative comments that
really do affect you, and get to you," she said. "You know I'm human just like
everyone else. Like things do hurt my feelings, but I think that I do have a
really thick skin."
She is more concerned that people, young and old, are victims of the same
online bullying tactics.
"They have this keyboard courage that no one will see them and they will just
write whatever and hurt your feelings," she said. "I know I can handle it, but I
just fear for — I do see why young kids and people and teenagers, even get ...
so hurt and bothered. That is what really bothers me."
In some instances, Kardashian West has turned the online hatred into fuel for
her posts. She responded to backlash of her appearing on the cover of Forbes
magazine last year with a self-deprecating tweet.
"We've built this brand, and I'm so proud of it," she said. "For everyone
saying I have no talent, you know, I think I wrote, 'Not bad for a girl with no
talent.'"
She credited her father, Robert Kardashian, with building bonds that allows her
to draw strength from her family to deal with online negativity.
"We've always been a close family, but I think with everything that we go
through, I think it brings us closer and closer," she said. "We're the only ones
that really understand what it's like. You can report about it, you can talk
about, but no one has really been through it, unless you are going through it
with us. And luckily, we have each other. I don't know where most of us would be
if we didn't have each other to vent to, to lean on, so I think we've been
really blessed with a big family that all have the same core values."
"Keeping Up With the Kardashians" has exposed the private side of family
struggles into the public forum, including her former brother-in-law Lamar
Odom's addiction struggles, her brother Rob's issues with weight and depression,
and sister Kourtney's tenuous relationship with Scott Disick. Then there's
family tension after revelations in Caitlyn Jenner's book, where Kim came to her
mother Kris Jenner's defense.
No struggle has shaken Kardashian West more than last year's Paris robbery
where she was held at gunpoint. Thieves got away with more than $10 million
dollars in jewelry after learning of her moves on social media. She admits that
experience changed her life. Now she doesn't post pictures until she's returned
from the event.
She hasn't necessarily transferred her social media acumen to her husband,
rapper Kanye West.
She joked with Forbes Media CEO Steve Forbes during his onstage interview
that she tried to enlist West to help take photos of their recent trip to Japan
to share online.
"It was such a mess," she said. "He was just not the best photographer."
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