Tuesday 29 November 2022 12:03 AM Julia Fox defends Kim Kardashian amid Balenciaga ad campaign scandal trends now

Julia Fox has defended Kim Kardashian amid mounting pressure on the star to cut ties with Balenciaga after the brand included images of children carrying teddy bears in bondage in an ad campaign. 

Fox, 31, who briefly dated Kardashian's ex Kanye West, 45, posted two bizarre TikTok videos on Monday in which she appeared to be naked, and berated 'pushback on female stars associated to the brand' while declaring 'men are the issue.'

This came hours Kardashian finally broke her silence on Sunday night, denouncing the brand, with whom she frequently collaborates, noting how she was 'shaken' and 'disgusted' to see the images - but did officially end her relationship with them.

In a video captioned: 'Respectfully I’ve never cashed a balenci check so pls keep me tf out it thanks!' Fox said: 'I'm seeing a lot of comments and tags, so first things first, I am not their spokesperson

'I have zero relationship with the brand, I've never even been to one of their shows. they haven't invited me... Regardless, I think it’s horrific and when I was reading and watching all the videos I literally felt sick to my stomach.

'But I couldn’t help but think, damn, the women who are associated to the brand professionally are getting so much pushback, it’s almost as if they’re the f*****g child molesters.'

Over the screen she wrote: 'Why are women being blamed for a MAN'S mistake? It’s the internalized misogyny for me.'

A further expletive-filled video captioned 'But everyone loves pointing the finger at everyone BUT the man' saw Fox become increasingly irate.

She said: 'You guys love saying Hollyweird, all the pedophiles in Hollyweird...

'Listen up f***faces, there's pedophiles in every industry! You wanna go be a chef, there's probably some abusers over there, you wanna be a teacher? Abusers over there, you wanna be an engineer, abusers over there.

'This isn't an issue with Hollywood, this isn't an issue with the fashion world, this isn't an issue with celebrities, this is an issue with men goddamnit, men, men!'

Kardashian, 42, who has been in business with the company for several years spoke out days after the company had already apologized for the scandal. She is often seen wearing Balenciaga to major events and has featured in several of the brand's campaigns in the past.

But on social media, users appeared skeptical of Kardashian's statement which took days to prepare, with many suggesting that it was not sincere and that she was waiting and hoping for things to blow over. Many said that only a complete cutting of ties with the Spanish brand would now be appropriate.

She issued it last night, saying: 'I have been quiet for the past few days, not because I haven't been shocked and outraged by the recent Balenciaga campaigns, but because I wanted an opportunity to speak to their team to understand for myself how this could have happened. Kardashian said in a statement on her Instagram page.

Kardashian continued: 'As a mother of four, I have been shaken by those disturbing images. The safety of children must be held with the highest regard and anything against it should have no place in our society - period.'

She subsequently reissued the statement that saw some of the wording changed using stronger language adding: 'any attempts to normalize child abuse of any kind should have no place in our society - period.' 

However, on balance, Kardashian said that she is comfortable with how the company reacted to the scandal.

'I appreciate Balenciaga's removal of the campaigns and apology. In speaking with them, I believe they understand the seriousness of the issue and will take the necessary measures for this to never happen again.'

In an additional post, to both Instagram and Twitter, Kardashian said she was reconsidering her relationship with the fashion brand but had not yet many any firm decisions.

'As for my future with Balenciaga, I am currently re-evaluating my relationship with the brand, basing it off their willingness to accept accountability for something that should have never happened to begin with -- & the actions I am expecting to see them take to protect children.' 

The sincerity of Kim's response was further questioned when images emerged of Kardashian staging an impromptu fashion shoot in skimpy hotpants not long before she put out her statement.

 'I don't believe that you're being sincere at all. I think you were just hoping that it would blow over. There's no way that they paid for an ad campaign, didn't look it over thoroughly before they put it out there. Seems like it's more about money for you,' wrote one fan.

'You can't be that outraged if you're going to continue to model for them I applaud u for speaking up but the fact that this even happened speaks volumes and so publicly at that. Shame on Balenciaga and anyone who still supports them. Things like this don't deserve a second chance,' added another.

'Coming from a fan of you for many years this isn't good enough. Now maybe you couldn't of done anything then but you can now cut ties with Balenciaga at least! Ain't no one forgetting this one there's no excuse big enough to cover what everyone saw,' echoed a third.

'No. They were promoting child sexual abuse. How on EARTH can you say they 'understand the severity' and still work with them, especially as a mom?? This shows how sheltered you are. No concept of the impact this has on victims. Disgusting,' responded one user.

Kardashian's statement, in which she professed to be 'shocked' by what she had witnessed, did not appear to stop her posting for a photo shoot on Saturday night.

Fans appeared to be outraged that Kardashian had not come down firmly against the brand and instead seemed to be taking the temperature from her followers.

Many had sound advice of their own for the multi-billion dollar reality star.

'I've tolerated a lot of s****y & problematic behavior from the Kardashians, but this was the final straw for me. Immediate unfollow & no longer supporting their show, which, let's face it, is just a giant ad campaign for them and, apparently, their promoting of child sex abuse,' wrote one Twitter user. 

'Delete this again and come back with the right statement. One that says "I am cutting ties with Balenciaga due to the disturbing images in their campaign involving children." The only statement that should have been made,' stated Gina.

'Kim

read more from dailymail.....