Kardashian / Female / 44 / Asian
By Romen Basu Borsellino | 30 Apr, 2025

As internet sleuths debate whether or not Kim Kardashian is identifying as Asian, we conduct our own investigation.

Daniel Dae Kim. 

Kim Jong Un. 

Chloe Kim

…Kim Kardashian?

Billionaire media personality Kim Kardashian posted an image on her Instagram story this past week, only for the sleuths of Reddit to notice the following words in the background: “Kim Kardashian / Female / 44 / Asian.” 

It has begged the question: Does Kim Kardashian identify as Asian?

Now, sure, even though Kim Kardashian has never publicly referred to herself as Asian before, it’s possible that she was referencing the Armenian genes on her dad’s side. Armenia, like Russia, technically exists in Asia. According to the CIA’s “World Factbook,” however,  the nation views itself as part of Europe. So that seems an unlikely explanation.

What does make sense, as Reddit users pointed out, is her use of the word “Asian” was referring to a type of hair treatment she was receiving. The post was one of a series from a hair spa that day.  

Yet, as likely as the spa explanation may be, we can’t rule out the possibility that Kim Kardashian has actually been deeply connected to Asian culture all of these years and we simply failed to notice. Let’s look at the evidence:

Family

Asian culture is well-known for its deep family ties. So are the Kardashians, who include cosmetics mogul Kylie Jenner, model Kendal Jenner, and matriarch Kris Jenner. 

Since the 2007 launch of the reality series Keeping Up With The Kardashians, Kim’s family relationship has been closely watched by much of America. Despite the expected squabbles of any family, the show’s producer Ryan Seacrest described them as “a family that truly loves and supports one another.”

This is consistent with an Asian culture that values family. For example, the Pew Research Center, noted that Asian Americans are much more likely to live with their extended families than White Americans. 

Who knew that the Kardashian family tree may have been a bonsai all along?

Work-ethic

Kim Kardashian has long been the butt of jokes about, well, butts…but also, a purported lack of talent. 

One could easily argue that her success in entertainment, business, and social advocacy would dispel that assertion. Regardless, there is no denying that what underlies all of it is her work ethic. In fact, a lack of traditional talents would even further highlight how much hard work it took for her to become a household name, successful in various different facets of her life. 

Maybe her mother deserves the credit. Was Kris Jenner, in fact, the first tiger mom? It certainly feels like the Asian work ethic is at play here. 

Tea

Much like Asian culture, Kim Kardashian is associated with tea. Sometimes that’s in the literal sense as the Kardashians are constantly shilling for brands like FitTea, IntegriTea, and green tea matcha shakes. Other times it’s figuratively spilling tea (aka engaging in gossip), whether it involves a feud with Taylor Swift or a custody battle with ex-husband Kanye West. 

If Kim does identify as Asian, perhaps we should re-examine some of her past behavior in a different light. In 2019, when she announced the trademarked name of her shapewear clothing brand Kimono Intimates, the backlash was swift as a coursing river. Kardashian was accused of appropriating a culture she had no connection to, with many taking to Twitter to make #KimOhNo a trending topic. 

But if Kim is Asian after all, perhaps we owe her an apology. And if she truly believes in the Confucian principles of social harmony, she’ll forgive us.