Kim K’s Met Gala Weight Loss: Unethical, Or a Performance Piece?

TW: This content relates to disordered eating.

If you’re reading this, I’m going to assume that you’re across the history-making fashion moment that was Kim Kardashian wearing Marilyn Monroe’s “Happy Birthday Mr. President” dress to the Met Gala this year.

In the hours leading up to this year’s Met Gala, the internet started to buzz with rumours that Kardashian would grace the Met steps in the iconic 60-year-old dress. When she stepped out with boyfriend Pete Davidson in the “original naked dress” worn by Monroe, fans went wild, and rightly so.

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The dress itself has so much history. Dubbed the “original naked dress”— it was so tight-fitting that Monroe famously wore nothing underneath it — the dress truly cemented Marilyn Monroe as a sex symbol. The dress, designed by Jean Louise and made of a sheer, flesh-coloured marquisette fabric, with 2,500 shimmering rhinestones sewn into it, remains gasp-worthy to this day.

To many, the dress represents history — the legacy of JFK and of Marilyn Monroe — but it’s also a symbol of feminine power. Monroe, who was famously rumored to be engaging in an affair with President JFK at the time, sang Happy Birthday to him at an event. The images from this event are still iconic to this day.

Monroe broke down barriers of “idealistic” bodies, embracing her curves, freedom and sexuality in a way that was refreshingly open for the times.

For all these reasons and so many more, it makes sense that Kim Kardashian felt drawn to this dress and moment in history, especially given the Gilded Glamour Met Gala theme. Kim has had a similar impact on society — encouraging women to embrace their bodies.

Speaking to Vogue on the Met Gala red carpet, Kardashian told host Lala Anthony that she’d dropped 16 pounds (7.2kg) in three weeks in order to fit into the iconic gown.

Some people have been quick to criticise her “necessary” and “extreme” weight loss.

We live in a world where people are gushing over Kim Kardashian for starving herself to fit in a dress in the same week people want to take away a woman’s right to choose. Holy, I do not want to be raising a daughter any time soon.

— Samantha Mileto (@SamanthaMileto) May 3, 2022

At first, I wasn’t sure about how I felt watching a female celebrity openly share her extreme weight-loss, all in order to fit into a dress.

It was as though all those stories that have dominated the media over the last couple of decades, about women dieting heavily in the lead-up to their wedding, or not eating before walking in a fashion show, or unhealthily starving themselves to appeal to the expectations of others… were being spoken with just ease and acceptance. After all the work we’ve done.

https://twitter.com/rach_filippini/status/1521696500971094016

But then I thought about it some more. It’s so common for actors to have drastic, even dangerous physical transformations for roles — like Renée Zellweger, Christian Bale, Natalie Portman, Anne Hathaway and Charlize Theron — so then, is it different for fashion as a form of art?

On the red carpet, Kardashian told Lala Anthony that when the dress didn’t fit, she was still determined to lose weight and get into it.

“I had this idea to put it on and to try it on, and they came with armed guards and gloves. I tried it on and it didn’t fit me, and so I looked at them and said give me like three weeks, and I had to lose 16lbs, down today, to be able to fit this,” she said.

“It was such a challenge, it was like a role, I was determined to fit it.”

We could argue that the Met Gala is just as much about art as it is fashion, and therefore, could Kim Kardashian embodying Marilyn Monroe on the red carpet be seen as a piece of performance art? Kardashian was treating the event more like a statement, just as she’s done in years prior.

And then, if wearing Monroe’s dress is a piece of performance art, a statement, something that you’ll be thinking about for the next week, is it okay for her to lose weight to make it happen?

We’re familiar and okay with people losing weight and undergoing physical transformations in order to fit into the role of a character, which seems to be exactly what Kardashian was doing. However, the conversation about the weight loss could have been handled differently.

It’s one thing to diet for a piece of art, but it’s another to talk about it so casually. In a situation like this, where someone is losing a large amount of weight in a short amount of time, it’s important to note that it can be extremely dangerous and harmful for our bodies. It’s not something that should be thrown about the red carpet, like an achievement or a casual but necessary nuisance.

All I’m saying, is that if I was Kim Kardashian’s PR team, I would’ve recommended that she preface her weight loss with her intentions behind it, and take the opportunity to explain how she did it healthily and why it isn’t something young women or girls — or anyone — should be trying in their daily life. Kim would have had nutritionists and experts working alongside her every step of the way.

The problem with being as influential as Kim Kardashian, is that people are watching your every move, and looking to you for inspiration. The Kardashian family first found fame and was celebrated for setting a more realistic standard of beauty. Over the last two decades (almost!) that the family has been in the spotlight, they’ve now come under scrutiny for perpetuating unrealistic body standards. We can’t ignore the fact that no person is free from feeling the pressure to look a certain way and it’s possible Kim also feels those same pressures.

Excessive dieting for a dress should come with a warning that it’s not to be tried at home. This is a piece of performance art. Not real life.

If you or anyone you know is struggling and needs support, call Kids Helpline on 1800 55 1800 or Lifeline on 13 11 14, both of which provide trained counsellors you can talk with 24/7. You can also speak with someone confidentially at Headspace by calling 1800 650 890 or chat online here.