Kylie Jenner recently had a photoshoot for the December/January issue of Interview magazine. The photoshoot was meant to showcase Kylie's limitations as a celebrity - such as how she feels like she missed out on a childhood and how she suffers from anxiety attacks. Kylie also believes that she cannot be true to herself and that her social media life is done for her fans; she supposedly gives them what they want. Although Kylie definitely thought this photoshoot was going to be deep and meaningful, she actually offended many people.
For the photoshoot, Kylie is turned into what appears to resemble a lifeless, sex doll. She has a blank expression and in some pictures she is being carried, like an object, by a man, and in others she is seen in a wooden crate. Not only does she portray this subordinate figure, but she also poses for the cover in a wheelchair.
Most of the photos received negative feedback, mostly for the sexualized imagery that is created. However, none of the photos received as much attention as the wheelchair ones, which have garnered massive backlash. She is portraying herself as being powerless, as a disabled person is powerless and confined to his or her wheelchair. There are numerous people with disabilities, some even legitimate models, and they would never be granted the opportunity to pose on the cover of Interview magazine in the way that Kylie was able to. Many would consider Kylie to be cutting edge for this risqué photoshoot in a wheelchair, but disabled models are unable to get work in the fashion industry, let alone advance. People are struggling with disabilities and not given any attention, but Kylie is allowed to call this fashion.
Many are criticizing Kylie for being an "ableist," someone who discriminates in favor of able-bodied people over those with physical disabilities, and I would not disagree. Being in a wheelchair and being disabled is not a trend. It is not fashion or edgy - it is something that many individuals and families are struggling with and overcoming. I respect all of the disabled people who are recreating Kylie's photoshoot to give a more realistic representation of what it is really like to be disabled, to be set back and limited in life because of something serious, other than excessive fame. The only upside to Kylie's criticized shoot is the spotlight that is being shone on those who are unlikely to ever receive much-needed attention.
Click here for Kylie's interview and photoshoot with Interview magazine
