Kim Kardashian, a name synonymous with a carefully constructed empire of reality television, entrepreneurial triumphs, and a knack for the cultural conversation has long navigated the turbulent waters of public opinion, often disarming critics with surprising moments of self-aware humor while simultaneously weathering fierce storms of controversy. Now, the star herself reflects on an archival moment that, in retrospect, simply makes her cringe, hinting at an unusual and widely scrutinized photo session from her past with Justin Bieber.

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Kim Kardashian, the 44-year-old reality television personality, appeared as a guest on the Call Her Daddy podcast. Host Alex Cooper posed a pointed question to the star about anything in her long career for which she believed she should have faced intense public backlash, but did not. Kim Kardashian confessed she believed her 2010 Elle Magazine photo shoot with Justin Bieber was that moment. She openly stated, “I do not know who approved this” because of the stark 13-year age gap between her and Bieber.

Kim Kardashian, who was 29 at the time, while the young singer was only 16 years old when the images were taken. The conversation naturally segued into the nature of the shoot itself and the bizarre concept behind it. The editorial spread was deliberately styled to suggest a sensual, flirtatious narrative between the two subjects. Photographs showed them engaging in seemingly romantic activities, such as holding hands and running together along a scenic beach. Kardashian expressed surprise on the Call Her Daddy podcast that neither the creative team nor the participants thought the narrative was questionable at the time.

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Kim Kardashian's reflections on past public scrutiny did not stop with her own career choices. She offered a defense of her personal life following a separate wave of public criticism aimed at a controversial fashion decision made by her twelve-year-old daughter.

Speaking to Alex Cooper during the same podcast appearance, Kim Kardashian made a plea for understanding, requesting a "little bit of grace" from the public. She emphasized that raising children, especially navigating the preteen years as a single mother to four, is inherently difficult. The reality star received intense online backlash when her daughter was photographed in Rome wearing a specific outfit that critics deemed too mature for her age.

The ensemble in question included a corset-style top paired with a skirt and vibrant blue hair. Kardashian admitted that the choice was a misstep, commenting that the family made that mistake in front of the “whole world." She explained that her daughter, who typically prefers a tomboy style, had been trying a trend adopted by her friends, which quickly proved to be a learning experience for them both.

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What are your views on the photoshoot which feature Kim Kardashian and Justin Bieber? Let us know in the comments below.