Just because we can’t all keep up with the Kardashians doesn’t justify public hate letters to an aspiring model.
A response to model Arisce Wanzer’s letter.
Dear Arisce,
Take a moment and remove yourself from your current situation, if you can. Now, imagine that you’re from a small town in the Texas, the metropolitan capital of South Korea or a war torn nation in Nigeria. These exemplify the upbringings of Erin Wasson, Sora Choi and Adesuwa Pariyaparat, respectively. All of these models came from completely different backgrounds and have unique stories of their journey to success in the fashion industry. But please be aware, there is one thing that these models, Kendall Jenner and you all have in common; you all had no choice in the life you were born into.
Sure, Kendall is privileged and wealthy. And yes, she has been on a reality television show since the ripe age of 12. To top it all off she has more Instagram followers (16.5 million) than I could ever even dream of. But, this was the environment she was born into. With a family comprised of an Olympic gold medalist father, famous siblings and a television personality/businesswoman mother, Kendall was put into the limelight at an early age. Maybe her fame was conducive to her modeling career, but to berate Jenner’s budding profession simply because she “didn’t do and doesn’t owe half of what you did to get [to NYFW] today” is outrageously biased.
The world has criticized the Kardashians for nearly a decade, asking why they deserve celebrity status. Kendall’s quest to become a professional model demonstrates her determination to transform the reputation that Kardashians are merely talentless, spoiled and unmotivated. She is only lazy and spoiled if she does nothing and yet she is criticized while she is striving for a legitimate career. Trying to break the stigma tied to her name and become successful shouldn’t be grounds for threatening letters and cigarettes smeared in her drink.
Quite honestly, I was appalled at the condescending nature of the letter published towards Kendall. I question what entitles you, Arisce, to pass judgment on a young girl following her passion. I would expect the opposite from someone who faced such hardships in adjusting to the harsh industry. You question the motives of Kendall’s up-and-coming career, asking if she “need(s) MORE fame? MORE money? A green card perhaps?” …is this a legitimate point of your argument? There are, believe it or not, people that choose careers due to their interests and not, as you suggest, only for personal gain. Established models stay in the industry even when they have fame, money and a green card because they love it. Not every model came from underprivileged conditions and had to overcome life obstacles. Judging an individual due to his or her connections and wealth is just bad as the people that judged you for your self proclaimed lack thereof.
Your actions reflect a greater issue of misunderstanding individuals and prematurely jumping to conclusions. I can assume that you were standoffish and didn’t bother to take the time to realize that Kendall is a real person with emotions who desperately adores the same thing as you- the modeling world. Just because she is portrayed by the media one way does not guarantee it’s correct, either. I can assure you that she wouldn’t be the face of Estee Lauder, walking in New York, Paris and Milan Fashion Week for names like Chanel, Diane Von Furstenberg, Tommy Hilfiger, Dolce & Gabbana, Marc Jacobs and many others without dedication, hard work and devotion. Your immediate judgment parallels to thematic presumptions that privileged members of society face no obstacles whatsoever.
I understand your frustration that what took you so long to do seems to come effortlessly to Kendall Jenner. It would be naïve to say that her fame and well-connected momager have not influenced her success, but your overwhelming prejudice blinds you to her talent. If the moral of your letter was to teach Kendall that the industry is an unforgiving one, I’ve got a lesson for you; sometimes life isn’t fair. People are born into lives with influence that will enable them to seemingly surpass what you’ve worked twice as hard for. But you can’t blame Kendall Jenner for having connections. If she has a dream be a professional model and is motivated enough, should she not be able to follow her passions as you or I would?
Kendall Jenner is an inspirational role model to young women around the globe, blazing a name for herself in the modeling industry. And hey, Arisce, who’s to say she couldn’t be the “chosen one” that you mentioned in your letter? I’ll keep things classy and leave the cigarettes out of this aspiring model’s drink.
Sincerely,
Katie Hildebrandt