- An unauthorized photo showing Khloé Kardashian in a bikini was posted online Monday.
- Kardashian said via Instagram on Wednesday that she feels she has the right to want it removed.
- Her stance is understandable but also goes against her clothing brand's body-positive message.
An unauthorized and unedited photo showing Khloé Kardashian wearing a bikini was accidentally posted online by an assistant on Monday.
A firestorm ensued after the image was shared, with some people praising the reality-television star and others criticizing Kardashian's team for trying to scrape the image off the internet.
Kardashian even responded to the photo on Wednesday via Instagram, sharing unfiltered images of her body, and saying that the "pressure, constant ridicule, and judgment" to meet beauty standards set by others "has been too much to bear."
She also said that she's been motivated by past criticisms to get herself "in the best shape" of her life, and argued that the unauthorized photo "doesn't capture" her body "the way it is after working so hard to get it to this point."
But in addition to being reality-television star and influencer, Kardashian is also the face and co-founder of the size-inclusive brand
Good American has not yet publicly commented on the incident, and representatives for the company did not immediately respond to Insider's request for comment.
That being said, Kardashian's response to the photo's circulation is confusing and misleading, especially to consumers who support her brand.
Good American is a fashion brand dedicated to size inclusivity
According to the brand's website, Good American is dedicated to "representing body acceptance" and "making comfort and support every woman's new normal." It does so by offering sizes ranging from 00 to 24.
"We're committed to challenging industry norms to bring you a collection that is 100% inclusive, always," the brand says online.
"Every piece in our collection is shown on three size ranges of models, to eliminate the friction around finding your perfect fit," the website continues. "High quality fabric, a relentless obsession with fit, and an uncompromising attention to comfort help you feel sexier, curvier, and more confident - guaranteed."
Kardashian is heavily involved in the company. Not only did she co-found the brand with Emma Grede in 2016, but she's also the face of Good American, appearing numerous times on its Instagram page and website.
Kardashian is also arguably responsible for drawing in a large percentage of the brand's customers. On Instagram, she frequently promotes the brand to more than 136 million followers.
In 2019, Kardashian even sent free Good American clothes to a fan who said she couldn't afford them. At the time, the fan told Insider that she admired Kardashian because of "how body-positive she is."
Khloé Kardashian's response to an unedited photo of herself doesn't match her brand's message
On Wednesday, Kardashian pointed out in her Instagram post that she's been at the receiving end of countless comments that call her the "fat sister" over the years. She also said she knows that some people feel she's deserving of such comments because she "grew up in a life of privilege" and is on TV.
"I'm of course not asking for sympathy but I am asking to be acknowledged for being human," she wrote.
Some have argued that individuals - even those who are public figures - should have the right to decide what photos of themselves circulate online. Celebrities seem to agree and have shown their support for Kardashian.
Though that might be true, it should also be noted that Kardashian included grainy, "unretouched and unfiltered" photos of her body that she approved in her response post.
Not only can such curated images on social media lead others to develop body-image issues of their own, as Insider's Samantha Grindell reported, but in sharing photos that Kardashian felt were more flattering, she also ignored the fact that the original, unauthorized photo was also an accurate representation of her body.
At the end of the day, Kardashian's response to the controversy is understandable - but it ultimately goes against everything she promotes with her company. And as a result, the
Representatives for Khloé Kardashian did not immediately respond to Insider's request for comment.