Kim Kardashian is “America’s New First Lady” in controversial Steven Klein shoot

Date
29 August 2017
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Kim Kardashian for Interview Magazine, photography by Steven Klein

Photographer Steven Klein has captured Kim Kardashian in a Jackie Kennedy-inspired shoot for the cover of Interview Magazine’s September issue.

Interview Magazine has dubbed Kim as “‘America’s New First Lady’, who poses alongside her daughter North West in three cover variations. Kim sits crossed-legged with North at her side, with pearls, white gloves and coiffed bob, the article discusses “what it’s really like to be the most famous woman in the world.”

However, the shoot has caused quite the controversy online. While Kim tweeted on Monday 28 August that she will “treasure this shoot forever,” many Twitter users have disagreed, calling “disrespect” to the Kenny family. One user writes: “She did not hit the mark with this – so disrespect to the Kennedy and what they went through – her team could not come up with a better idea?” Another user calls her an “angel”, many are calling out the shoot’s reference as an “insult” to the Kennedy family.

“If anyone can be said to embody the American Dream, it’s Kim Kardashian West,” writes the feature in Interview Magazine. One tweeter noted that she was a “great” comparison to the current US President’s administration: “I know a lot of people are mad about the Kim K First Lady bit… But have we looked at our current admin? She looks great.” Contrastingly, a further user comments that she will “never ever ever ever ever replace Jackie Kennedy. Ever.”

This transformation has generated quite the stir, with another user adding: “What makes this magazine thinks she is a First Lady?”

Above

Kim Kardashian for Interview Magazine, photography by Steven Klein

Above

Kim Kardashian for Interview Magazine, photography by Steven Klein

Above

Kim Kardashian for Interview Magazine, photography by Steven Klein

Above

Kim Kardashian for Interview Magazine, photography by Steven Klein

Above

Kim Kardashian for Interview Magazine, photography by Steven Klein

Above

Kim Kardashian for Interview Magazine, photography by Steven Klein

Above

Kim Kardashian for Interview Magazine, photography by Steven Klein

Above

Kim Kardashian for Interview Magazine, photography by Steven Klein

Above

Kim Kardashian for Interview Magazine, photography by Steven Klein

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About the Author

Ayla Angelos

Ayla is a London-based freelance writer, editor and consultant specialising in art, photography, design and culture. After joining It’s Nice That in 2017 as editorial assistant, she was interim online editor in 2022/2023 and continues to work with us on a freelance basis. She has written for i-D, Dazed, AnOther, WePresent, Port, Elephant and more, and she is also the managing editor of design magazine Anima. 

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