Khloé Kardashian has spoken out for the first time since an unedited photo of her in a bikini surfaced online.
The candid poolside snap was posted to her social media “by mistake” before her team asked social media platforms to remove it, with a representative for Khloé insisting the image infringed on her copyright, although their attempts to get it taken down led to the photo being shared even more.
Why did Khloé Kardashian want her bikini picture removed?
Khloé’s team said the image circulating online infringed on her copyright. Tracy Romulus, chief marketing officer for KKW Brands, told Page Six, “The color edited photo was taken of Khloe during a private family gathering and posted to social media without permission by mistake by an assistant. Khloe looks beautiful but it is within the right of the copyright owner to not want an image not intended to be published taken down.”
In a statement released on Twitter, Khloé added, “The photo that was posted this week is beautiful. But as someone who has struggled with body image her whole life, when someone takes a photo of you that isn’t flattering in bad lighting or doesn’t capture your body the way it is after working so hard to get it to this point – and then shares it to the world – you should have every right to ask for it to not be shared – regardless of who you are.
“In truth, the pressure, constant ridicule and judgement my entire life to be perfect and to meet other’s standards of how I should look has been too much to bear.”
CHECK OUT the most iconic Keeping Up With the Kardashians moments
The most iconic Keeping Up With the Kardashians moments (slide)
1 of 20When Khloe Kardashian went to jail
Remember back in season three when Khloe was arrested for driving under the influence? She was in jail for approximately three hours before she was released. But it was Kim Kardashian taking selfies in the car that made it so iconic.
2 of 20When Kim Kardashian hit Khloe
Remember when Kim was feuding with her sisters over her Bentley? Well things turned violent and Kim infamously hit Khloe with her bag. This was peak KUWTK, tbh.
3 of 20When Kris Jenner met up with Todd
Yeah, these were wild times on KUWTK. Remember when Kris met up with her ex Todd Waterman? You know, the guy she had an affair with during her marriage to Robert Kardashian?
4 of 20When Kim Kardashian slammed Khloe via text
Kim has been a savage from day one tbh. After Khloe woke her sister up to say goodbye (during Kim and Kourtney take New York), Kim sent her an extremely rude text message. She actually called her younger sisters a "dumb evil little f--king troll". Ouch.
5 of 20When Scott Disick got too drunk
This wasn't iconic in a good way. Over the years viewers saw him shove money down a waiters throat, punch a mirror and argue with Kourt.
6 of 20When Kylie and Kendall Jenner argued over a dress
A good few years ago Kendall and Kylie argued because Ky wouldn't let her sister wear her dress. Kenny ended up calling Kylie and "f--king bitch".
7 of 20When Kim Kardashian cried
Back in season two when the famous family went on a skiing trip Kourtney laughed at Kim's crying face. Her crying face is now pretty iconic and the ski trip wasn't the last time we saw it...
8 of 20When Kim Kardashian did Playboy
Throwback to Kris being supportive of Kim doing Playboy by taking her own photos of the nude shoot.
9 of 20When Kanye West proposed to Kim Kardashian
Kanye West sure does know how to celebrate but no one was prepared for his shock proposal at the AT&T Stadium in San Francisco. He flew out all her family and friends so they could be there for the incredible moment. Cute.
10 of 20When the Kardashians found out about Rob's engagement
Speaking of engagements, remember when Rob and Blac Chyna got engagement and he didn't even tell his sisters? Bless them.
11 of 20When Khloe Kardashian asked Kylie Jenner about kissing boys
Can you remember when Khloe, Kim, Kendall and Kylie were all talking about boys and Ky looked mega confused when her older sister insinuated that you could kiss a guy somewhere other than their lips?
12 of 20When Khloe Kardashian found out about Tristan Thompson cheating
You're probably thinking of the whole Tristan/Jordyn Woods situation but long before that he actually cheated on KoKo when she was pregnant with True. Khloe and Tristan tried to make things work but it wasn't to last and he ended up kissing Kylie's BFF Jordyn. We then got to see the moment all the Kardashian/Jenners found out about the news.
13 of 20When Kris Jenner had an allergic reaction
The Kardashian/Jenners flew out to the Dominican Republic for a family vacation but Kris' allergic reaction is the only memory we have of this holiday.
14 of 20When Kim Kardashian cried over a spider
Now, when Kim first told us she had a spider phobia we just thought she simply didn't like them - oh how wrong we were. When the family went on a holiday during season one she was left crying after finding a spider on herself.
15 of 20When Kris Jenner found out about Kim's tape
Kim's sex tape was arguably one of the reasons she became famous but the bit that everyone remembers about the whole ordeal was Kris Jenner's famous words, "As her mother I wanted to kill her! But as her manager..."
16 of 20When Kris Jenner threw shade at Kim Kardashian's marriage
After the family slammed Kris for buying Rob a house, the momager hit back at Kim's marriage to Kris Humphries. "I'm married for 72 days? Really? That's normal," were her famous words. Obsessed.
17 of 20When Kylie Jenner FINALLY admitted she had lip fillers
Remember when Kylie Jenner told the world that she over lined her lips and that's why they appeared bigger? Fast forward a good few months and she finally admitted on the show that she did have lip fillers before admitting, "It's just an insecurity of mine".
18 of 20When Kris Jenner cleaned Kylie Jenner's room
Oh Kris, remember when she tried to clean and re-organise Kylie's room and she was not impressed?
19 of 20When Kourtney Kardashian demanded money for Kim Kardashian's Hollywood game
In case you haven't heard the Kardashian's/Jenners have branched out to video games. But it all kicked off when Kim wanted to get her sisters involved in the game, but Kourtney wanted to be paid. Kim didn't understand why Kourt was being difficult and then said, "I bought her a f--king career!" Awkward.
20 of 20When the Kardashians got chickens
Remember when Kris wanted to get the whole family eating healthy so she got chickens so they could all eat organic eggs? Yeah, it didn't turn out so well.
Khloé continued, “It’s almost unbearable trying to live up to the impossible standards that the public have all set for me. For over a decade now in photo, every single flaw and imperfection has been micro-analyzed and made fun of to the smallest detail and I am reminded of them everyday by the world.
“And when I take that criticism to use as motivation to get myself in the best shape of my life and to even help others with the same struggles, I am told I couldn’t have done it through hard work and I must have paid for it all.”
WATCH Jordyn Woods talks life before the Kardashians
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So, apparently we've all been pronouncing Khloé Kardashian's name wrong 🤯
What’s Khloé Kardashian said about her unedited bikini picture?
Khloé defended her right to edit her pictures after “being judged and pulled apart and told how unattractive one is”.
She said, “This is an example of how I have been conditioned to feel, that I am not beautiful enough just being me.
“I love a good filter, good lighting and an edit here and there. The same way I throw on some make-up, get my nails done, or wear a pair of heels to present myself to the world the way I want to be seen and it’s exactly what I will continue to do unapologetically.
“My body, my image and how I choose to look and what I want to share is my choice. It’s not for anyone to decide or judge what is acceptable or not anymore.”