Kim Kardashian West criticised for 'humbly' celebrating 'simple' 40th birthday party on private island
Kim Kardashian West has come under fire for saying she was “humbled” by being able to celebrate her 40th birthday with a party on a private island.
The Keeping Up With The Kardashians star revealed she and her family had undergone two weeks of quarantining and multiple health tests in order to enjoy the “simple luxury” of travelling to the island to party and “pretend things were normal” amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Kardashian tweeted: “Before COVID, I don’t think any of us truly appreciated what a simple luxury it was to be able to travel and be together with family and friends in a safe environment.
After 2 weeks of multiple health screens and asking everyone to quarantine, I surprised my closest inner circle with a trip to a private island where we could pretend things were normal just for a brief moment in time. pic.twitter.com/cIFP7Nv5bV
— Kim Kardashian West (@KimKardashian) October 27, 2020
“After 2 weeks of multiple health screens and asking everyone to quarantine, I surprised my closest inner circle with a trip to a private island where we could pretend things were normal just for a brief moment in time.
Read more: Kim Kardashian nursed Kanye West when he had COVID-19
40 and feeling so humbled and blessed. There is not a single day that I take for granted, especially during these times when we are all reminded of the things that truly matter. pic.twitter.com/p98SN0RDZD
— Kim Kardashian West (@KimKardashian) October 27, 2020
“40 and feeling so humbled and blessed. There is not a single day that I take for granted, especially during these times when we are all reminded of the things that truly matter.
She added: “We danced, rode bikes, swam near whales, kayaked, watched a movie on the beach and so much more.
“I realize that for most people, this is something that is so far out of reach right now, so in moments like these, I am humbly reminded of how privileged my life is.”
We danced, rode bikes, swam near whales, kayaked, watched a movie on the beach and so much more. I realize that for most people, this is something that is so far out of reach right now, so in moments like these, I am humbly reminded of how privileged my life is. #thisis40 pic.twitter.com/UYOcVBpytW
— Kim Kardashian West (@KimKardashian) October 27, 2020
She shared pictures of herself with sisters Kourtney and Khloe Kardashian, half-sister Kendall Jenner, brother Rob Kardashian and mother Kris Jenner celebrating at the luxury resort, along with a birthday cake with a Barbie representation of herself bursting out of the top.
Critics were quick to highlight the insensitivity of the post amid a global pandemic where much of the world has been forced to live in lockdown. More than 1.1 million people have died from COVID-19.
Writer Jenna Quigley replied: “Cool, people have had to say goodbye to loved ones over the phone while they died alone in a hospital. but neat trip to post all over social media while the world suffers. so humble and so down to earth, truly.”
cool, people have had to say goodbye to loved ones over the phone while they died alone in a hospital. but neat trip to post all over social media while the world suffers. so humble and so down to earth, truly.
— Jenna WEAR A MASK Quigley (@JBomb11) October 27, 2020
Rocker Peter Frampton replied: “Are you that insensitive you don’t realise this is not what the majority of people during the worst covid spike yet want to hear? People are going to food banks not private islands.”
Are you that insensitive you don’t realise this is not what the majority of people during the worst covid spike yet want to hear? People are going to food banks not private islands.
— Peter Frampton (@peterframpton) October 27, 2020
Pole dancing teacher Kelechi Okafor replied: “Happy birthday. I hope someone got you an alphabet book as a gift, so you can learn to read the room.”
Happy birthday. I hope someone got you an alphabet book as a gift, so you can learn to read the room. ✨
— machine gun Kele (@kelechnekoff) October 27, 2020
Kardashian’s husband Kanye West is not visible in any of the photographs.
He claims to have contracted coronavirus in February.
The reality star has previously talked about how she nursed the rapper while in quarantine with their four children – North, 7, Saint, 4, Chicago, 2, and 16-month-old Psalm.
She told Grazia: “Kanye had it way at the beginning, when nobody really knew what was going on. It was so scary and unknown. I had my four babies and no one else in the house to help.
“I had to go and change his sheets and help him get out of bed when he wasn’t feeling good. It was a challenge because it was so unknown.
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“Changing his sheets with gloves and a face shield was really a scary time.”
Kardashian and her family spent lockdown at their remote ranch in Wyoming.
Speaking about the effect of the global pandemic and the changes it imposed on people’s everyday lives, she said: “I’m the type of person that respects the process that respects what’s going on in the world.”
Kardashian added: “Maybe our planet needed a break.”
Watch: Kim Kardashian turns 40!