Khloé Kardashian Released a Statement on Her Leaked Unfiltered Picture

Last week, when an unfiltered and unedited candid picture of Khloé Kardashian started circulating around the internet, the reality star and her family attempted to have it taken down and scrubbed from the web entirely. She has now directly addressed the controversy about the image and the alleged editing of her body with an Instagram Live and a lengthy statement.

Her statement, which fans may have missed, was published a few days ago at the very end of a gallery of videos showing off her body. In it, Khloé got candid about her own insecurities and why it was important for her to have the picture removed from social media. "This is me and my body unretouched and unfiltered. 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 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," Khloé wrote.

Khloé then shared how comments about her appearance in the press and online have impacted her over the years. "In truth, the pressure, constant ridicule and [judgment] my entire life to be perfect and to meet others' standards of how I should look has been too much to bear. 'Khloé is the fat sister.' 'Khloé is the ugly sister.' 'Her dad must not be her real dad because she looks so different.' 'The only way she could have lost that weight must have been from surgery.' Should I go on?" 

The reality star added that she knows she's in the public eye, but that doesn't mean she "signed up" for the intense scrutiny. "I'm of course not asking for sympathy but I am asking to be acknowledged for being human," she wrote. “I am not perfect but I promise you that I try [every day] to live my life as honestly as possible and with empathy and kindness. It doesn't mean that I have not made mistakes. But I'm not going to lie. It's almost unbearable trying to live up to the impossible standards that the public have all set for me,” Khloé shared.

Since the photo leaked and gained traction on multiple social media platforms, many who shared it allegedly had their accounts suspended. However, many also sympathized with Khloé and used the controversy as a way to highlight how the prevalent excessive and undisclosed editing in social media — something both Khloé and her sisters have been accused of in the past and even recently — have also contributed to those unrealistic standards Khloé herself alludes to.

"For over a decade now in photos, every single flaw and imperfection and has been micro-analyzed and made fun of to the smallest detail and I am reminded of them [every day] by the world," Khloé's statement continues. "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." 

According to Khloé, gratuitous comments on her appearance have never gotten easier to hear. "You never quite get used to being judged and pulled apart and told how unattractive one is, but I will say, if you hear anything enough you start to believe it," she wrote. "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 [makeup], 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."

Khloé finished her statement with a message to those who identify with her struggles. "For those who feel the constant pressure of not ever feeling perfect enough, I want you to know I see you and I understand. I am told by my family and friends who love me that I am beautiful but I know that it needs to be believed from within," she wrote. "We are all unique and perfect in our own way. Whichever way one chooses to be seen. I have realized that we cannot continue to live life trying to fit into the perfect mold of what others set for us. Just do you and make sure your heart is happy."

Check out Khloé's post below:

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