In a 2022 interview with Variety, Kris Jenner and her daughters—Kim, Khloe, and Kourtney Kardashian—discussed their business ventures and personal lives. However, it was Kim’s career advice for women that sparked intense backlash. She stated, “I have the best advice for women in business. Get your fu**ing a*s up and work. It seems like nobody wants to work these days.”
Kim’s comment was widely criticized by netizens and the hosts of The View. Whoopi Goldberg noted that Kim’s remarks “caused people to lose their minds,” pointing out that Kim “had a big head start compared to most people.” Sunny Hostin agreed, saying, “It helps to be born rich,” and highlighted that Kim’s father was quite “wealthy.” Hostin added, “It just came off as being very privileged.
It came off as being very elitist. And let’s remember: Her mother got her a gig and the entire family in 2007 on ‘Keeping up with the Kardashians.'” However, guest co-host Stephanie Grisham disagreed with the others, citing Kim’s inspiring work in criminal justice reform.
Joy Behar acknowledged Grisham’s perspective but emphasized, “Well, there’s more than one side to the story, so you just presented another aspect. But that does not dismiss the fact that she sounded tone-deaf in that comment.” The criticism extended beyond The View, with several internet users voicing their discontent, according to a report by Salon.
One X user wrote, “Ah yes, tell us how to work. Tell all the women out there who don’t have five nannies, financial stability gained from the work of others, familial wealth, two personal assistants, easy access to a trainer/nutritionist, and how to succeed in life. It’s our work ethic, huh? Got it.”
Another user said, “I’m really glad @KimKardashian is getting all the heat she is for that tone-deaf comment that people (women), don’t want to work. You have no idea what life looks like for NORMAL ppl, especially after these past 2 years.”
Kim later apologized for her comments, stating, “It wasn’t a blanket statement towards women or to feel like I don’t respect the work or think that they don’t work hard. I know that they do. That was taken out of context, but I’m really sorry if it was received that way,” as reported by NBC News. She further clarified, “That statement that I said was without questions and conversation around it, and it became a sound bite, really, with no context.
That sound bite came off of the notion and the question right before, which was, ‘After 20 years of being in the business, you’re famous for being famous,’ and my whole tone and attitude changed with the previous question that went into that question about what advice would you give to women.”