Kim Kardashian's 'Vogue' India cover faces backlash for whitewashing

Kim Kardashian has graced the cover of Vogue for the seventh time — but she may not be feeling quite so lucky when she sees the response.

The reality star unveiled one of the two covers she shot for the March issue of Vogue India. The consensus is that the images, which have been praised by the likes of Chrissy Teigen and Busy Philipps, are beautiful. Still, many are disappointed that the magazine chose an American celebrity rather than a South Asian model.

People are upset at the reality star’s latest cover. (Photo: Vogue India Instagram)
People are upset at the reality star’s latest cover. (Photo: Vogue India Instagram)

“She’s obviously beautiful … but wonder why they didn’t use an Indian for Vogue India?” asked one commenter.

Others accused the magazine of “whitewashing” South Asian culture. Vogue India faced similar backlash when Kardashian’s younger sister, Kendall Jenner, appeared on the cover of its May 2017 issue. The magazine defended Jenner’s casting in a statement.

“In the last 10 years, Vogue India has had only 12 international covers, including Kendall Jenner in 2017,” it said. “Therefore, statistically, 90% of our covers are Indian! And we are proud of that. India has given the world so many beautiful faces to admire. After all, we are Vogue, an international brand, and we want to give the love back by featuring some of the best international celebrities on our covers. Occasionally!”

One critic also pointed out Kardashian’s saying in a 2012 Keeping Up With the Kardashians episode that she found Indian food “disgusting.” She later apologized for the remark.

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