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Kim Kardashian has deleted a sponsored post on her Instagram account promoting ‘appetite suppressing’ lollipops after a furore from fans and health experts.
Kim shared a photo of herself sucking on a lollipop, and in the caption she encouraged her followers to purchase the “literally unreal” product that claims to be able to curb hunger.
But within a few hours the post had been deleted from her account, after thousands of negative Instagram comments and tweets.
Leading the uproar was British TV personality Jameela Jamil, who called Kim a “terrible and toxic influence on young girls.”
No. Fuck off. No. You terrible and toxic influence on young girls. I admire their mother’s branding capabilities, she is an exploitative but innovative genius, however this family makes me feel actual despair over what women are reduced to. ☹️ pic.twitter.com/zDPN1T8sBM
— Jameela Jamil (@jameelajamil) May 16, 2018
“MAYBE don’t take appetite suppressors and eat enough to fuel your BRAIN and work hard and be successful. And to play with your kids. And to have fun with your friends. And to have something to say about your life at the end, other than ‘I had a flat stomach,’” she added.
Dr Liam Hackett, activist and founder of anti-bullying charity Ditch The Label, tweeted Kim had abused her influence and ignored the responsibility she has to young people.
“Anybody with a sizeable following online has a duty of care to their audience,” he wrote.
“@KimKardashian’s promotion of ‘Appetite Suppressing Lollipops’ clearly shows that she favours her payday above the health and wellbeing of her impressionable audience.”
Approximately 1.25 million people in the UK are living with an eating disorder. It is also no secret that social media is affecting our collective mental health and putting young people under an immense amount of pressure to look a certain way.
— Dr. Liam Hackett (@DiageoLiam) May 16, 2018
This is why I am disgusted at @KimKardashian agreeing to run an advertisement to her impressionable fan base. This promotes an unhealthy and damaging relationship with food and we absolutely must take a stand against anything that could be damaging to people online.
— Dr. Liam Hackett (@DiageoLiam) May 16, 2018
Many fans were disappointed, too.
“I’m a big Kardashian fan, but the fact that you’re promoting lolly pops that make you not want to eat is disgusting,” wrote one Instagram user.
“Disappointed to see such a post from such an influential media icon. Eating isn’t shameful, our bodies aren’t shameful. We deserve better,” said another.
How desperate are you for the money @KimKardashian? I refuse to believe that some tin-pot lollipop making company is paying you THAT MUCH that you lose all common sense to think about the message that this sends your fans and followers. It’s outrageously irresponsible. pic.twitter.com/0225RioSfl
— Vix Meldrew (@VixMeldrew) May 16, 2018
Maybe the outrage will make Kim think more carefully about the brands she chooses to endorse. The woman is super-wealthy and influential – does she really need to promote lollipops of any description at this point?
