Most Talked-About Controversies Linked to Kim Kardashian

Controversies are a part of history. Explore the biggest scandals linked to Kim Kardashian.

Kim Kardashian is an American media personality, socialite, and businesswoman who initially gained attention through her association with Paris Hilton and later, a sex tape. She rose to prominence with the reality television series *Keeping Up with the Kardashians* (2007-2021), which chronicled her family's life and launched numerous spin-offs. Currently, she stars in the Hulu series *The Kardashians* (2022–present).

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Full Timeline Controversies & Scandals

1994: O. J. Simpson Murder Trial

In 1994, Kim Kardashian's father represented O. J. Simpson during his murder trial. Simpson was Kardashian's godfather.

2003: Damon Thomas files for divorce

In 2003, Damon Thomas filed for divorce from Kim Kardashian. Kardashian later blamed their separation on physical and emotional abuse.

2003: Sex Tape with Ray J

In 2003, Kim Kardashian and singer Ray J recorded the sex tape that was leaked in 2007.

2004: Unauthorized Charges Allegation

In 2004, Sonja Norwood alleged that Kim Kardashian and her sisters incurred over $120,000 in unauthorized charges on her American Express credit card.

2006: Alleged Purchases at Kardashian's Boutique

Sonja Norwood alleged that the bulk of the unauthorized charges were attributable to purchases made at Kardashian's family-owned boutique in 2006.

February 2007: Sex Tape Leak

In February 2007, a sex tape made by Kim Kardashian and singer Ray J in 2003 was leaked on the internet, gaining national attention.

2007: Alleged Purchases at Kardashian's Boutique

Sonja Norwood alleged that the bulk of the unauthorized charges were attributable to purchases made at Kardashian's family-owned boutique in 2007.

2008: Norwood Files Lawsuit

In 2008, Sonja Norwood filed a lawsuit against Kim Kardashian after no payments had been made regarding the alleged unauthorized charges.

2009: Confidential Settlement

In 2009, the parties reportedly reached a confidential settlement and the lawsuit was dismissed regarding the alleged unauthorized charges.

October 2011: Divorce Filing

In October 2011, after 72 days of marriage, Kim Kardashian filed for divorce from Kris Humphries, citing irreconcilable differences. A two-part TV special about her wedding aired on E! that month.

2014: Break the Internet Photo Shoot

In 2014, Kim Kardashian appeared on the cover of Paper's winter issue in a nude pictorial photographed by Jean-Paul Goude with the caption "Break the Internet", generating considerable comment.

October 2, 2016: Robbed at Gunpoint

On October 2, 2016, while attending Paris Fashion Week, Kim Kardashian was robbed at gunpoint in the apartment where she was staying. Five individuals, dressed as police officers, bound and gagged her, and stole $10 million worth of jewelry.

October 6, 2016: Filming on Hold

On October 6, 2016, it was revealed that filming for the next season of Keeping Up with the Kardashians had been placed "on hold indefinitely" after the robbery.

October 10, 2016: Video Released After Robbery

On October 10, 2016, a video was released showing Kim Kardashian immediately after the robbery, as police began conducting their investigation, prompting questions as to whether or not the events were staged.

October 25, 2016: Lawsuit Dropped

On October 25, 2016, Kim Kardashian dropped the lawsuit against media outlets, prompting more criticism that the robbery was a ploy to generate media attention.

June 2018: Alice Marie Johnson's Sentence Commuted

In June 2018, Kim Kardashian advocated for the commutation of Alice Marie Johnson's sentence, who had received a life sentence for a first-time drug offense. President Donald Trump granted the commutation in June 2018.

October 2018: Meeting with President Museveni

On a trip to Uganda in October 2018, Kim Kardashian and her husband Kanye West met with President Yoweri Museveni. They were criticized for meeting Museveni due to his then-recent crackdown on the opposition and the Ugandan LGBT community.

August 2019: Rebranding to Skims

In August 2019, Kim Kardashian rebranded her shapewear company, previously named Kimono, to "Skims" following criticism over cultural appropriation.

2019: Funding of 90 Days to Freedom Campaign

In 2019, Kim Kardashian largely funded the 90 Days to Freedom campaign, an initiative by attorneys Brittany K. Barnett and MiAngel Cody to release nonviolent drug offenders from life sentences. This resulted in 17 persons being released under provisions of the First Step Act in 2019.

November 2020: Tested Positive for COVID-19

In November 2020, it was reported that Kim Kardashian had tested positive for COVID-19. She confirmed this report but denied reports that she caught the disease after hosting a party at a private island.

January 2022: Named as Defendant in EthereumMax Lawsuit

In January 2022, Kim Kardashian was named as a defendant in a class-action lawsuit against the cryptocurrency company EthereumMax, accused of promoting the EthereumMax token on social media.

February 2022: Filed Complaint for Quicker Divorce Proceedings

In February 2022, Kim Kardashian filed a complaint to the Los Angeles Superior Court, asking for quicker proceedings in the divorce from Kanye West, saying that West was trying to delay it.

April 2022: Advocacy for Melissa Lucio's Clemency

In April 2022, Kim Kardashian advocated for the clemency of Melissa Lucio, who was on Texas' death row, through a series of tweets. After Lucio was granted a stay of execution on April 25, 2022, Kardashian celebrated on her social media.

July 2022: Support for Rapper Gunna's Release

In July 2022, Kim Kardashian publicly supported and petitioned for the release of rapper Gunna, who was imprisoned without bond and charged with violating the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act.

October 2022: SEC Fine for Cryptocurrency Promotion

In October 2022, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission announced that Kim Kardashian had agreed to pay a $1.26 million fine and not promote cryptocurrency assets for three years for failing to report receiving a $250,000 payment to promote the EthereumMax token.

December 2023: Public Expression of Belief in Toforest Johnson's Innocence

In December 2023, Kim Kardashian publicly expressed her belief in the innocence of Alabama prisoner Toforest Johnson, who has been on death row for more than 25 years. She posted about Johnson's case on her Instagram account and added a link to Earwitness, a serial podcast about Johnson's case and also to an advocacy website.

April 2024: Speaking Out About Toforest Johnson's Case

In April 2024, Kim Kardashian again spoke out about Toforest Johnson's case, posting a video of Johnson's daughter Akeriya Terry on her Instagram account.