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. She initially garnered attention through her association with Paris Hilton, but gained wider recognition following the release of a sex tape in 2007. She rose to prominence with the reality television series Keeping Up with the Kardashians (2007-2021), which documented her family's life and led to numerous spin-offs. Currently, she stars in Hulu's The Kardashians (2022-present).

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Full Timeline Controversies & Scandals

1994: Father's Representation in O.J. Simpson Trial

In 1994, Kim Kardashian's father, Robert Kardashian, represented football player O. J. Simpson during his murder trial.

2004: Unauthorized Charges Allegation

In 2004, Sonja Norwood alleged that she had authorized Kim Kardashian to make "one and only one" purchase on her American Express credit card and that Kardashian and her sisters Khloé and Kourtney had incurred over $120,000 in unauthorized charges to that card.

2006: Alleged Unauthorized Charges at Family Boutique

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

February 2007: Sex Tape Leak

In February 2007, a sex tape featuring Kim Kardashian and singer Ray J, filmed in 2003, was leaked online, causing significant media attention.

2007: Alleged Unauthorized Charges at Family Boutique

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

2008: Lawsuit Filed by Sonja Norwood

In 2008, Sonja Norwood filed a lawsuit against Kim Kardashian regarding the alleged unpaid debt from unauthorized credit card charges.

2009: Confidential Settlement Reached

In 2009, Kim Kardashian and Sonja Norwood reportedly reached a confidential settlement, and the lawsuit was dismissed.

October 2011: Airing of wedding special and divorce filing

In early October 2011, a two-part TV special about Kim Kardashian's wedding aired on E!. On October 31, 2011, after 72 days of marriage, Kim Kardashian filed for divorce from Kris Humphries.

2014: Paper Magazine Cover

In 2014, Kim Kardashian appeared on the cover of Paper magazine's winter issue, photographed by Jean-Paul Goude, with a nude photo captioned "Break the Internet".

October 2, 2016: Robbed at gunpoint in Paris

On October 2, 2016, Kim Kardashian was robbed at gunpoint in her apartment in Paris, where thieves stole $10 million worth of jewelry.

October 10, 2016: Video released after robbery

On October 10, 2016, a video was released showing Kim Kardashian immediately after the robbery, prompting questions about the event's authenticity.

October 25, 2016: Lawsuit dropped after robbery

On October 25, 2016, Kim Kardashian dropped the lawsuit, 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 received a life sentence for a first-time drug offense. President Donald Trump granted the commutation.

October 2018: Met with President Yoweri Museveni in Uganda

In October 2018, Kim Kardashian and Kanye West met with President Yoweri Museveni in Uganda and were criticized for it due to his human rights record.

August 2019: Rebranding to Skims

In August 2019, Kim Kardashian rebranded her shapewear company from Kimono to Skims, following criticism over the original name's cultural insensitivity. Skims launched the following month.

January 2022: Lawsuit against EthereumMax

In January 2022, Kim Kardashian, along with other celebrities, was named as a defendant in a class-action lawsuit filed against the cryptocurrency company EthereumMax, alleging a pump and dump scheme.

October 2022: SEC fine for promoting EthereumMax

In October 2022, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission announced that Kim Kardashian had agreed to pay a $1.26 million fine for failing to report receiving a $250,000 payment to promote the EthereumMax token.

December 2022: Lawsuit dismissal

In December 2022, Central California U.S. District Court Judge Michael W. Fitzgerald dismissed the lawsuit against Kim Kardashian regarding the promotion of EthereumMax on the basis that the claims were insufficiently supported given heightened pleading standards for fraud.

December 2023: Kim Kardashian Advocates for 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. Kardashian 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: Kim Kardashian Shares Video Highlighting Toforest Johnson's Daughter

In April 2024, Kim Kardashian continued her advocacy for Toforest Johnson by posting a video of Johnson’s daughter, Akeriya Terry, on her Instagram account, drawing further attention to his case.