Kim Kardashian has admitted that a 2010 photoshoot with a teenage Justin Bieber was “not the most appropriate thing,” acknowledging that the concept would not be acceptable today.
Revisiting a Controversial Moment in Pop Culture
The photoshoot, published by Elle Magazine in 2010, featured a then-16year-old Bieber alongside a 29-year-old Kardashian in a playful, flirtatious beach setting. The images were inspired by The Graduate, a 1967 film about a young man seduced by an older woman. At the time, the concept drew criticism for sexualising a minor — but Kardashian remained silent until now.
Kardashian Breaks Her Silence
Speaking on the Call Her Daddy podcast, Kardashian said she only recently realised how strange the shoot was. “I think I’m gonna get cancelled if I say it,” she told host Alex Cooper. “I don’t know who approved this, and I don’t know who thought that this was normal… I did a photo shoot with Justin Bieber, and he was 16 years old. I don’t know how old I was.”
“Nothing Weird Was Happening”
The SKIMS founder emphasised that the shoot was harmless in nature, even if the concept hasn’t aged well. “Nothing weird was obviously happening,” she said. “It was just an odd concept — and why none of us thought it was odd at the time, I don’t know. But now I look back and I’m like, that would not have been the most appropriate thing.”
Selena Gomez Was on Set
Kardashian revealed that Bieber’s then-girlfriend, Selena Gomez, was present during the shoot, along with his parents. “It wasn’t creepy at all,” she said. “His girlfriend was there, his parents were there… but now I think, who thought that was a good idea?”
A Hollywood Obsession With “The Graduate”
The shoot drew heavily on The Graduate, a film long referenced in pop culture for its taboo relationship dynamic. Kardashian admitted she didn’t think much about the message at the time. “It was that story — the older woman and the young student,” she said. “Nothing inappropriate happened, but it’s wild that no one thought twice.”
Fans React to the Revelation
After the podcast aired, social media erupted with mixed reactions. Many criticised Kardashian for distancing herself from the creative decision, while others argued she was simply a model following direction.
“Take Accountability,” Some Fans Say
One Reddit user wrote: “Blaming whoever approved it rather than herself — she was the one in the shoot.” Another commented: “‘I don’t know who approved this’ — you were in the photos, Kim!” Others, however, defended her, saying models often don’t control the creative process.
Pop Culture in 2010 Was a Different World
Cultural commentators noted that the early 2010s were marked by edgy, provocative celebrity marketing. “In that era, pushing boundaries was the norm,” said media critic Jessica Alton. “What seems inappropriate today was often brushed off as playful back then.”
Kardashian’s Evolving Image
Kardashian’s reflection also fits her broader image reinvention. Once known for controversy, she’s now an entrepreneur, law student, and advocate for criminal justice reform — often addressing her past with a more reflective tone.
The Internet Reconsiders the Past
Many online users agreed that it’s important to re-examine cultural moments once considered harmless. “We all accepted it at the time,” one commenter wrote. “Now we realise how problematic it was. Pop culture has grown, and so have we.”
The Fine Line Between Art and Exploitation
The discussion reignited debate about how the entertainment industry often blurred ethical boundaries for artistic effect. “Consent and context matter,” said film historian David Lowell. “But when minors are involved, even symbolic or suggestive imagery becomes problematic.”
Kim’s Honesty Wins Some Praise
Despite criticism, some fans praised Kardashian’s willingness to address the issue. “She didn’t have to bring it up,” one user posted on X (formerly Twitter). “Owning up to past missteps is part of growth.”
Lessons From a Bygone Era
The incident now serves as a case study in how entertainment norms evolve. What passed for edgy fun in 2010 would now likely draw public outrage — a sign of how far conversations around consent and representation have progressed.
Looking Back, Moving Forward
Kardashian’s admission adds a fresh layer to her public persona — one of reflection, awareness, and accountability. In revisiting her past, she joins a growing number of celebrities reassessing moments once seen as glamorous but now viewed through a more critical lens.
M10News Entertainment Desk | Contact: entertainment@m10news.com
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