Khloé Kardashian Speaks Out on Leaked Unedited Bikini Photo and Her Lifelong Struggle With Body Image

Photo credit: Instagram
Photo credit: Instagram
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Khloé Kardashian has broken her silence after an unedited bikini photo of her was put on social media without her permission. According to Page Six, her team is actively trying to take it down. But the photo has spread and gotten media and social media attention, opening up a larger discussion about body image and retouching.

Kardashian explained in a statement on her Twitter that she has had a lifelong struggle with body image being a woman in the spotlight, especially in a culture where women's bodies are constantly scrutinized. She called the unretouched photo “beautiful” but explained that having editorial control over her image helps her cope with and ease her anxiety given how much commentary she takes in about her appearance. “My body, my image and how I choose to look and what I want to share is my choice,” she wrote. “It's not for anyone to decide or judge what is acceptable anymore.”

Kardashian shared another video of herself in a bikini on her Instagram along with her statement, which read:

Hey guys, this is me and my body unretouched and unfiltered, The photo that was posted this week was beautiful. But as someone who has struggled with body image her whole life, when someone takes a photo of you that isn't flattering in bad lighting or doesn't capture your body the way it is after working to hard to get it to this point—and then shares it to the world—you should have every right to ask for it not to be shared—regardless of who you are.

In truth, the pressure, constant ridicule and judgment my entire life to be perfect and to meet other's standards of how I should look has been too much to bear. ‘Khloé is the fat sister.’ ‘Khloé is the ugly sister.’ ‘Her dad must not be her real dad because she looks so different.’ ‘The only way she could have lost that weight must have been from surgery.’

Should I go on?

Oh but who cares how she feels because she grew up in a life of privilege. She's also on a reality show so she signed up for all of this. I'm of course not asking for sympathy but I am asking to be acknowledged for being human.

I am not perfect but I promise you that I try everyday to live my life as honestly as a possible and with empathy and kindness. It doesn't mean that I have not made mistakes. Bt I'm not going to lie. It's almost unbearable trying to live up to the impossible standards that the public have all set for me.

For over a decade now in photos, every single flaw and imperfection has been micro-analyzed and made fun of to the smallest detail and I am reminded of them everyday by the world. And when I take that criticism to use as motivation to get myself in the best shape of my life and to even help others with the same struggles, I am told I couldn't have done it through hard work and I must have paid for it all.

You never quite get used to being judged and pulled apart and told how unattractive one is, but I will say if you hear anything enough then you will start to believe it.

This is an example of how I have been conditioned to feel, that I am not beautiful enough just being me.

I love a good filter, good lighting and an edit here and there. The same way I throw on some make-up, get my nails done, or wear a pair of heels to present myself to the world the way I want to be seen and it's exactly what I will continue to do unapologetically. My body, my image and how I choose to look and what I want to share is my choice. It's not for anyone to decide or judge what is acceptable anymore.

For those else who feel the constant pressure of not ever feeling perfect enough, I want you to know I see you and I understand. Everyday I am told by my family and friends who love me that I am beautiful but I know that it needs to be believed from within. We are all unique and perfect in our own way. Whichever way one chooses to be seen. I have realized that we cannot continue to live life trying to fit into the perfect mold of what others have set for us. Just do you and make sure your heart is happy.

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