Kim Kardashian West has angered social media users with pictures of her “humble” birthday celebrations on a private island.
The reality TV star, who recently turned 40, has been called “insensitive” for sharing a series of snaps from the luxury birthday break, made possible by two weeks of “multiple health screens” for her closest circle.
In the caption for the post, Kardashian West said she was “feeling so humbled and blessed” as she listed some of the activities she and her famous family enjoyed during the holiday, including swimming near whales and kayaking.
Kardashian West acknowledged “this is something that is so far out of reach right now” for most people dealing with the pandemic and its financial fallout and said she is “humbly reminded of how privileged my life is”.
She added: “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.”
She faced stiff criticism on social media for the “tone-deaf” post.
Veteran British musician Peter Frampton replied to Kardashian’s post on Twitter and said: “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.”
One social media user said: “Good for you. I lost four months of pay, still tied up with unemployment and have seen a significant drop in future earnings.
“I’m helping my daughters with childcare and virtual school for my granddaughter. Still haven’t gotten my 2019 tax return. Glad you had fun.”
Another described the post as “so tone-deaf it’s painful”, while one described Kardashian West’s post as “despicable”.
The star also received the meme treatment. Many social media users put their own spin on Kardashian West’s post, writing they surprised their “closest inner circle” while adding pictures from film, TV and music.
Examples included Mamma Mia!, Mad Men and Castaway.