It’s pretty easy to forget that Kylie Jenner is just 18-years-old.
Yes, she’s sparkly, rich, and super famous, but she’s still human. A human with a conscience, an ego, insecurities and flaws.
I’m not that much older than Kylie. Although we don’t have much in common (Kylie drives a BMW convertible, I drive a shitty Holden Barina), our ages are similar. To remember a time when I was 18 isn’t difficult – it was only a few short years ago.
And who was I at 18? Well, I was painfully self-conscious. Unsure of myself. Full of self-doubt.
At 18, I was convinced that my self-worth was inextricably linked to my appearance. I obsessed over my weight, so I drank ‘diet tea’ on the odd occasion (Tip: Do not drink diet tea, just… don’t).
I felt insecure about my nose, so I researched nose jobs and started saving up for one. I put funny filters on my Instagram photos. I went through an embarrassing eyeliner phase. I even insisted people call me ‘Chel’ for a bit.
And I don’t think that’s unusual for an 18-year-old. Because, guess what, at 18 you’re still finding your feet.
You know what I didn’t have at 18, though?
I didn’t have hundreds of thousands of people publicly trashing me, my family, and my appearance. I never had people labelling me ‘the ugly duckling’ or a ‘troll’. I didn’t have a Victoria’s Secret Model for an older sister (my sister is really pretty, she’s just not Kendall Jenner). I didn’t have paparazzi stalking me, or Twitter accounts solely dedicated to vilifying me.
No, my insecurities came only from within myself. And, believe me, they were more than enough.
Now, of course, some people will tell me that Kylie Jenner chose this life, and that criticism is part of the deal, but I wholeheartedly disagree. I don’t think you can choose to have your life televised when you’re just nine years old. You cannot choose who your family is, or that scandal is your shadow.
Top Comments
I'm sorry, but I'm not sure how it naturally follows that we must empathise with a person because a lot of other people are criticising her. Obviously the criticisms about her appearance are unpleasant, but about whether or not her fame is deserved? No. I agree. Why do we give the Kardashians attention? When will being famous for being famous stop being a thing?
Kyle is beautiful and she seems like a nice talented girl. It's awful the way people talk about her and her family.
What is she talented at, exactly? I don't know anything about her personally, so I'll give you nice, but I am yet to see her display any discernible talent.
She performs on a "reality" show. She also does lots of things on social media. And she just released a fashion line in Australia. That's pretty impressive for an 18 year old in my opinion.
There are plenty of people on reality tv, and having a well managed social media network isn't really a talent, especially when it is managed for you by the pr team your family hires. Same with the clothing line. It is all heavily managed for them. I mean, good for her, I wish her well, but honestly would any of it have happened if she wasn't from a position of wealth?
No of course not. She's very lucky. She says that all the time. She's made the most of what's she's been given. She's clearly a very good business woman. I don't understand why people hate on them so much. They are just living their life and not hurting anyone.