Kim Kardashian has responded to speculation surrounding her controversial photoshoot with a robot from Elon Musk's Tesla brand.
A representative for Kim Kardashian told the New York Times that the reality star, who caused a stir on social media by posing with a $30,000 Tesla robot last week, was not paid by the brand in exchange for his publications.
A few days earlier, the businesswoman had sparked controversy by posting photos on Instagram of herself with a Tesla car and a robot. Wearing flesh-colored lingerie, lace stockings, a garter belt and a black jacket, she appears in one of the photos holding the robot's hand, while in another she is sitting on its lap , while he is positioned in the driver's seat. In the caption, she added an alien emoji.
Hidden advertising?
On X, Kim Kardashian also shared a video showing the robot in the vehicle, with the caption: “Optimus is here to take me for a ride in the Cybercab.” In the footage, the star walks towards the car, saying: “OK guys, my driver is here. Tesla's new Cybercab. When she reaches the driver's seat, the robot is there to greet her. “Hello, Sir,” said Kim Kardashian before bursting out laughing and joking about the rims of the vehicle.
In another sequence posted on social networks, the ex-wife of rapper Kanye West documented her encounter with the robot. “Hi ! Can you do this? I love you,” she asked him, forming half of a heart with one of her hands. The robot imitated his gesture, causing the star's astonishment. Subsequently, she suggested a run, and the robot began to dance the hula. “Oh, are you Hawaiian?” she asked. She accompanied these videos with the caption: “This is my new friend @Tesla”.
These publications left Internet users perplexed. Some netizens dubbed the robot Optimus “the perfect boyfriend,” while others speculated about how much Elon Musk may have paid for the ad. One user even wrote, “Sorry Kim, but we're not ready to normalize this kind of weirdness.”
Despite denials from its spokesperson regarding any remuneration, the New York Times recalled that Kim Kardashian had already been sanctioned in October 2022 for promoting a cryptocurrency without mentioning his remuneration.
