Kim Kardashian has retracted her previous claim that she isn't a feminist and is now embracing the title.
"I said once before that I'm not really a feminist," the reality TV star told Harper's Bazaar Arabia in an interview for the magazine's September issue.
"But I feel I do a lot more than people that claim that they're feminist".
Kardashian drew criticism for proclaiming she did not identify as a feminist in a speech at a conference in August 2016. She later expanded on the subject in an essay published on her official app and website.
Entitled 'Why I Don't Label Myself a Feminist', the essay confused many as Kardashian refused to identify herself as a feminist, while espousing the fundamental beliefs of the ideology.
"For me, feminist is someone who advocates for the civil and social rights and liberties of all people, regardless of their gender".
She said she would "always fight for women's rights", yet still refused to call herself a feminist.
In the essay, Kardashian cited a dislike of 'labels' as the reason for her hesitance.
"You're Republican, you're Democrat, you're bisexual, you're plus-size, you're poor, you're a criminal, you're a mother, you're a feminist.
"I'm a human being, and I have thoughts, feelings and opinions about a lot of different things. I don't need to be defined by those beliefs".
While she still stands by her dislike of labels, Kardashian is now willing to use the 'f word' to describe herself.
"To clarify what I said before: I feel in my soul I'm a feminist. I just don't need labels to make me feel or know what I am inside."
Kardashian is a divisive figure in the feminist community. Some claiming she empowers women through her successful business and confident sexuality; others have been less positive, including feminist activist Gloria Steinem.
When asked by Newsweek in 2011 if the Kardashians were feminist role models, Steinem bluntly replied, "No. They're not empowering other women."
Newshub.
