Kylie Jenner, the youngest of the Kardashian-Jenner clan and a self-made billionaire, recently found herself at the center of a storm of criticism after attending the Oscars with her boyfriend, actor Timothée Chalamet. The backlash was swift, with many questioning her presence at the prestigious event. Despite her immense wealth, business success, and influence, Jenner was trolled by many who argued she didn’t belong at the Oscars.
This scenario is not just about Jenner’s presence at the event, but it also highlights the deeper, often unspoken, issues of sexism, privilege, and the unyielding standards women, especially powerful women, are expected to meet. What seems to have triggered this backlash is not just the idea that Jenner is successful in her own right, but that her type of success—coming from reality TV and the world of social media—does not carry the same weight as other traditional forms of achievement like acting or business ownership.
The Oscars Attendance: A Matter of Belonging?
Kylie Jenner attended the Oscars ceremony alongside Chalamet, who was nominated for his performance in the Bob Dylan biopic A Complete Unknown. While Jenner did not walk the red carpet, she sat with her partner throughout the ceremony and later shared photos of herself in her stunning gown on Instagram. These photos quickly turned into the subject of intense scrutiny and online trolling.
One of the most common criticisms was that Jenner “didn’t belong” at the event. Commenters accused her of being a “disgrace” to the Oscars and pointed out that her presence was “undeserved.” Other trolls continued to push this narrative, claiming she didn’t have the credentials to attend the prestigious event, where stars from all areas of the film industry come together.
What is baffling about these reactions is the sheer level of scrutiny applied to Jenner for doing the same thing many other wealthy and powerful individuals—especially men—have done without a second thought. Her attendance wasn’t the issue; it was her very presence that seemed to trigger such backlash, with some commentators going as far as to label her unworthy of being there simply because of the way she made her fortune.
The Sexist Double Standards at Play
The criticism of Jenner’s attendance isn’t just about whether she deserved to be there; it’s about the glaring sexism that underpins the response. While Jenner’s boyfriend, Timothée Chalamet, received a well-deserved nomination for his role in A Complete Unknown, Jenner was seen as nothing more than a tagalong—an idea that speaks volumes about how powerful women are perceived when they aren’t operating in the “traditional” male-dominated industries.
Let’s contrast Jenner’s presence with that of Jeff Bezos, the billionaire founder of Amazon. Bezos, worth over $200 billion, attended the Oscars with his partner Lauren Sanchez. Unlike Jenner, Bezos did not have any direct ties to the movie industry—he didn’t even date a movie star. Yet, his presence at the event was largely ignored by the media, and no one raised an eyebrow about his attendance.
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While Bezos’ Amazon Prime streaming service does have a presence in the film and television industry, the justification for his attendance was, at best, tenuous. Bezos is a man with immense wealth, power, and influence, but he wasn’t questioned, criticized, or trolled for showing up. In fact, he was even poked fun at by comedian Conan O’Brien during his monologue, yet that didn’t detract from his “place” at the event.
This comparison highlights a massive double standard. When men like Bezos attend, their wealth and influence make them “deserving” of attending major events like the Oscars. But when a woman like Jenner, who has achieved similar levels of wealth and influence, shows up, she is questioned, criticized, and told that she doesn’t belong. Why is that?
The Perception of Kylie Jenner’s Success
The backlash against Kylie Jenner’s presence at the Oscars is rooted in how people perceive her success. Jenner’s wealth is seen as “frivolous” by many—because she made her fortune in a space that isn’t traditionally viewed as prestigious: beauty and social media. She built Kylie Cosmetics into a billion-dollar company with the help of social media platforms, particularly Instagram, where she has over 350 million followers.
But the fact that Jenner’s career and wealth came from makeup and the beauty industry has often been dismissed in ways that men’s wealth—particularly that derived from e-commerce and tech industries—has not. While someone like Jeff Bezos may be lauded for his empire in tech and commerce, Jenner’s business acumen is often minimized or completely disregarded. This is despite the fact that, in 2019, Forbes named Jenner the youngest self-made billionaire. Though her exact worth fluctuates, she is still regarded as one of the wealthiest women in the world.
What’s particularly troubling about this double standard is that Jenner, in interviews, has openly discussed how she has used the platform she was born with to fuel her business empire. She did not downplay the influence of her family and upbringing but instead acknowledged that she had significant help and access that many others might not have had. While Jenner was criticized for being labeled “self-made,” she took responsibility for her business while acknowledging the unique advantages she had.
The Root of the Backlash: Women Who Challenge the Norm
Kylie Jenner’s story is one of entrepreneurship, hard work, and carving out a niche in an industry that was once considered frivolous by many. But her story, especially as it pertains to the trolling she faces, speaks to a broader societal issue: the way women are treated when they succeed in non-traditional fields.
Jenner’s critics have a problem with the fact that she didn’t come from old money, nor did she create her fortune through traditional means like acting or politics. Instead, she capitalized on the world of social media, where she built a brand around herself. Critics have never let her forget her reality TV roots, even though she has since grown far beyond that.
But the criticism isn’t just about the path she took—it’s about the fact that, as a woman, she dared to succeed in a space that didn’t align with society’s traditional expectations. Women like Jenner are often accused of being unworthy simply because they challenge the norms and break free from the mold that was set for them.
Why Does Jenner Face Criticism Where Others Don’t?
While Jenner’s wealth and influence have often been overlooked or questioned, she is far from the only wealthy individual to attend the Oscars. The question is: why is it that when a woman like Jenner shows up at an event like this, she is met with criticism, while a man like Bezos is not? The reality is that women in power still have to prove themselves in ways that men simply do not.
The underlying issues here aren’t just about success, but about the different ways women and men are allowed to occupy spaces of power and influence. While men are often lauded for their wealth and success, women, particularly those who come from unconventional backgrounds, are continually dismissed.
Conclusion: Breaking the Barriers of Gendered Criticism
Kylie Jenner’s presence at the Oscars is a reflection of the many barriers women face when it comes to success. Despite her status as a billionaire entrepreneur, she is still not viewed as “worthy” of attending an event like the Oscars, simply because of her gender and the way she made her fortune. While men like Jeff Bezos are accepted into these spaces with little criticism, women like Jenner are constantly under scrutiny.
The criticism of Jenner’s attendance at the Oscars speaks to the wider gender inequalities and biases that continue to permeate every corner of society. Until these attitudes change, women who have broken through the traditional norms will continue to face unjust criticism and backlash simply for being successful in their own right.
Jenner’s story isn’t just about one woman attending an event; it’s about challenging the structures that still hold women back and refuse to recognize their achievements, no matter how significant they may be.
