Kim Kardashian has lived most of her adult life under the public eye, surrounded by cameras, magazine covers, and viral moments. She has faced controversies, fashion risks, and reality TV storylines; yet, out of everything she’s done, there’s one past incident with Justin Bieber in her career that still makes her cringe.
The surprising part was that it was something she openly participated in. But more than a decade later, she can’t shake the question that now lingers in her mind: “How did anyone think that was okay?” Now, she’s ready to talk about the one decision she believes would never be approved today.
The Forgotten Photoshoot That Feels Wrong Now
During her recent appearance on the Call Her Daddy podcast, Kim was asked if she had ever done something that could get her “cancelled” in the current climate. She let out a nervous laugh and admitted there was indeed a photoshoot with Justin Bieber back in 2010. She said she still didn’t understand who approved it or why everyone treated it like a normal idea.
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The shoot was for Elle magazine and featured a full concept inspired by ‘The Graduate‘, where Kim, then 29, played a Mrs. Robinson-style figure opposite a 16-year-old Bieber. They were seen running on the beach, posing closely, and creating a flirtatious vibe that hinted at a romantic storyline. At the time, nobody seemed to find it strange. It was treated like just another fashion feature.
Kim explained that while nothing inappropriate ever happened on set, the very idea of pairing an adult woman with a teenage boy in that context now feels extremely odd to her. Even though it didn’t feel wrong back then, she understands now how different the reaction would be today.
Kim Kardashian Questions Entire Steamy Shoot Concept With Justin Bieber
While reflecting on the concept, Kim said this is the one thing from her career she genuinely questions. She still wonders how it was ever considered acceptable. She also revealed that Justin’s family, including his parents and even his girlfriend, were present during the shoot. That made everything seem innocent in the moment.
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She clarified again that there was nothing “creepy” happening, but the narrative itself feels uncomfortable to her now. She acknowledged that times have changed, and now it would have been highly inappropriate. Despite her close friendship with Justin, she admitted this is the one project she looks back on with real discomfort.
What makes the story even stranger is how it all started. Kim revealed in an old behind-the-scenes video that she first met Justin at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner. There, she joked about setting him up with her younger sister, Kendall Jenner. But Justin playfully responded in an interview, saying he actually liked Kim instead, not Kendall. Kim, however, said she never understood how people took that seriously. It wasn’t until years later that she realised how strange the entire concept truly was!
