Kylie Jenner Sparks “Blackfishing” Backlash Over Vanity Fair Cover
Kylie Jenner is facing criticism online after the release of her new Vanity Fair cover. The Kylie Cosmetics founder appears in the photos wearing khaki pants and a black bra while holding a cigarette. Soon after the image was shared on Vanity Fair’s Instagram account, many users began questioning her appearance, especially the darker tone of her skin in the photos.
According to comments seen on Vanity Fair’s social media, several users accused Jenner of altering her look in a way that made her appear racially different. One person asked, “Why the ethnicity change?” while another wrote that the image “doesn’t look like her at all.” Some commenters even questioned if the photo was actually Jenner.
One user wrote, “Is this really Kylie Jenner? I really thought at first that the wrong image was used. Wow. Okay then. Why is she cosplaying an Indian woman?”
Other users were more direct in their criticism. One comment read, “Who is this Black woman? And where is Kylie?” Some also used the term “blackfishing,” which is used when a person changes their appearance through makeup, styling, or editing in a way that makes them appear Black or racially ambiguous.
On Jenner’s own Instagram page, where she also posted the Vanity Fair cover, the reaction was more mixed. Some people praised the photo. Her mother, Kris Jenner, commented “STUNNING,” while model Gigi Hadid wrote “Soo beautiful ky.” Still, some followers repeated the same concerns seen on Vanity Fair’s page, with comments like “Why is she so dark?” and “Blackfishing.”
The criticism also spread to Vanity Fair itself. Some social media users pointed out that the magazine promoted the Jenner feature shortly after publishing an article about Timothée Chalamet.
The story defended the actor’s comments about ballet and opera. In the piece, writer Chris Murphy acknowledged the reaction to Chalamet’s remarks, writing, “Were Chalamet’s comments graceless? Sure. Inelegant? Yes. Even a bit rude and dismissive? Well, yeah. But was anything Chalamet said incorrect? Not in the slightest.”
This is not the first time Kylie Jenner has been accused of cultural appropriation or blackfishing. The term was first popularized by journalist Wanna Thompson and refers to situations where mostly white public figures change their appearance in ways that resemble Black or mixed-race features.
Jenner previously faced criticism in 2015 when she posted photos of herself with a dark metallic skin tone and blue contact lenses. At the time she wrote, “What I wish I looked like all the time.” After people criticized the image, she defended the look by explaining, “This is a black light and neon lights people lets all calm down.”
Another controversy came in 2020 when Jenner shared photos of herself wearing a bright green Tom Ford outfit and used the caption, “Giving you baby mama drama honey.” One user responded at the time, “You are a white woman. Stop cosplaying Black & brown women, they are not your costume.”
Members of Jenner’s family have also faced similar accusations in the past. Her sister Kim Kardashian was criticized in 2018 for wearing Fulani braids, which she referred to as “Bo Derek braids.” She also faced accusations of darkening her skin tone during the 2017 campaign for KKW Beauty.
Situations like this show how closely celebrities are watched online and how quickly public reactions can grow when something seems controversial. Photoshoots often involve heavy styling and editing, but fans still expect public figures to be careful about how they present themselves. What do you think about the reaction to Kylie Jenner’s Vanity Fair cover? Share your thoughts in the comments.