Kim Kardashian Fans Defend Her From Sex Tape Double Standard
Kim Kardashian's fans are defending the star from the double standards of how she is treated for her sex tape versus her ex-boyfriend Ray J.
Kim Kardashian's fans have her back and are defending The Kardashians star from the double standards she's faced for years from her 2002 sex tape with Ray J. In the early 2000s, before Kim was a household name, she was mostly known for being the daughter of OJ Simpson's lawyer Robert Kardashian and being spotted around the L.A. night scene with her more famous friend, Paris Hilton. The star was also dating R&B singer Ray J, and during a trip the pair took to Mexico, they recorded their now-infamous sex tape. Whether intentional or not, Kim followed in the footsteps of Paris, whose sex tape leaked years before Kim's did.
The tape remained a secret until 2007 when it was released just months before the first episode of Keeping Up With The Kardashians aired. The tape became a popular topic in the first season of the show, with the episode 1 revolving around how Kim would react when she was asked about the tape on talk shows. While it's been 20 years since Kim and her ex-boyfriend recorded the video, the SKIMS founder has not been able to escape the effects of its release no matter how much time goes by. Even as Kim has reached billionaire status and constructed several businesses in the cosmetics, fashion, and fragrance industries, society still belittles her success as merely because of her tape with Ray J.
Fans have pointed out that this does not seem to be the case for Ray J, and it's unfair that Kim has faced the most backlash for the tape. "I am so sick and tired of Kim getting 100% of the blame for the sex tape!!!! Ray J is never mentioned even though he made money off of it too!!!" Reddit user u/MrsBarneyFife wrote. They explained that Kim was allegedly on drugs when the tape was made, meaning she didn't have a clear mind to consent to being recorded by ex-boyfriend Ray J. The commenter also acknowledged that Ray J is not nearly as famous as Kim is, so it's partly why the tape isn't used against him as much. However, the fan added, "she is still constantly slut shamed for it. Nobody ever says s**t about Ray J. He made the tape too."
Fans responded to the post defending The Kardashians star, saying it's "insulting" the way people credit her success to the tape and drawing attention to the negative effect it's had on the sex work industry. Another fan pointed out that Kim was a victim of a society that tells women that their self-worth lies in their physical appearance, not their intelligence or character. According to the fan, SKIMS creator Kim fed into this damaging societal standard when she agreed to make the sex tape. It's also important to note that in 2013, Ray J released a song about Kim called "I Hit It First," where he received many pats on the back for the "comical" song, seemingly proving Kim's fans to be correct about the double standard.
Kim has undoubtedly been mistreated by the public for her sex tape with Ray J and has been the one to bear most of the negative backlash. While her star power definitely plays a role in why the video is connected to her more than her ex-boyfriend, society's attitude towards Ray J is undeniably more positive than the disrespectful treatment Kim has received. This isn't unusual in a world that often gives men a free pass to make mistakes but holds the same mistakes against women for decades—though it is ever as frustrating. Fans are right to call out the double standard and defend The Kardashians star from how much her hard work has been undermined. Kim is lucky to have such passionate fans who have her back when the world is against her.
Source: u/MrsBarneyFife/Reddit