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Kendall Jenner caused an uproar this month when, after teasing a “raw” and “personal” story, the model shared a sponsored video she made for Proactiv.
I’m so proud of my darling @KendallJenner for being so brave and vulnerable. Seeing you share her most raw story in order to make a positive impact for so many people and help foster a positive dialogue is a testament to the incredible woman you’ve become. pic.twitter.com/rJUXdN2Wmq
— Kris Jenner (@KrisJenner) January 5, 2019
There was backlash to the post for a few reasons. Many people felt cheated or tricked that they’d become emotionally invested, waited for the announcement … and it was an advertisement. She preyed on their empathy to sell them a product.
Others felt that given the current global climate –with millions of people languishing in refugee camps, and racism, sexism, corruption and injustice rife – the revelation the world’s highest paid model had acne as a teenager didn’t warrant an announcement as a “raw” story. Or, as Kris Jenner called it, “brave and vulnerable.”
It’s no wonder many thought Kendall was about to share a #MeToo story.
Now, Jenner has doubled down. In a follow-up sponsored post on Instagram responding to the backlash, she captioned a photo of herself acne-free:
“While there are much bigger problems happening in the world, suffering from acne for me was debilitating. It’s something that I’ve dealt with since I was a young teen and has caused me to feel anxious, helpless and insecure.”
On her Instagram stories, she shared a picture of herself as a teen with acne and said she “ran home crying every day because people would stare at my skin”.
Jenner has turned off comments on the post, but it hasn’t stopped people from having their say on Twitter. Many are sceptical of Kendall’s true motivations for sharing her story, whether acne can be “debilitating” and if she really uses Proactiv – as a multi-millionaire and model, she has access to the best treatments and products on earth.
I have got to say Kendall Jenner has to be the biggest insult ever to girls struggling with acne. Stop flaunting your skin that you paid thousands of dollars for. Some of us don’t have the privilege you do, we have to try drug store products that still don’t work.
— rachel munschauer (@rachelmunch14) January 18, 2019
why does kendall jenner act like she was the only one with acne before
— isa (@dyingnext) January 18, 2019
I think it’s good Kendall is being open and honest about her struggles with acne but it lost it’s sparkle when she wrapped it up in a million dollar endorsement deal. Why would i have sympathy when you’re the highest paid model & now making THIS check? There’s no relatability.
— $ (@SelOnTheBrain) January 18, 2019
God the kardashians are despicable. Kendall Jenner made a big deal out of a personal announcement that turned out to be an ad for anti acne cream? Her sisters cried for her because she had bad acne? Jesus Christ I just feel bad for them at this point. THERES PEOPLE DYING, KIM
— 🍑 peach slut 🍑 (@turnahz) January 10, 2019
Im sorry Kendall but u dont have acne, proactive doesn’t cure or fix acne! Its kinda insulting, take it from a person that has really suffered from acne, nothing commercial will cure it or fix it, its a dermatologist matter #sorrynotsorry
— Gabriela (@Gaaby_d14) January 18, 2019
It’s hard not to feel like Kendall is using our interest in her to make money, disguising it as a genuine heartfelt confession. She survived the 2017 Pepsi commercial debacle. Could this be the moment the public turns on her?
