Here's Kim Kardashian's Response To The Fulani Braids Backlash

ByJulia Manuel

Jun 20, 2018 11:28 PM EDT

Kim Kardashian is breaking her silence after her Fulani braids, also called cornrows, started a controversy. Some went to the extent of saying she was adhering to culture appropriation.

The 37-year-old is finally addressing the backlash her hairstyle for the recent MTV Movie & TV Awards earned. In an interview with Bustle during the opening of her KKW Beauty pop-up shop in Los Angeles, Kardashian set the record straight with her chosen 'do for the event.

"I actually did that look because North said she wanted braids and asked if I would do them with her. So we braided her hair and then we braided my hair," she explained.

In short, Kardashian cites that her Fulani braids were a matching thing with her daughter, North. This is a common thing between mothers and daughters, who oftentimes go identical not just with hairstyles but with outfits as well.

January Incident

While this may be an understandable reason, Kardashian admitted she understands where the backlash was coming from. After all, her first time getting a series of criticisms over her Fulani braids in January was loud and her recent donning of the hairstyle just brought the heat up once again.

At the time, Kardashian sported blonde Fulani braids and made a reference to Bo Derek in the 1979 film 10. She drew flak for that, but she seemed to have brushed it off again by uploading a photo that has the iconic line from the film.

"Hi, can I get zero f*cks please, thanks," she wrote.

Knowledge Of The Origin

The KKW Beauty mogul further reiterated that she is well aware and has respect of where Fulani braids came from. Kardashian, however, admitted that had she explained her knowledge of the hairstyle and its roots and not called them "Bo Derek braids," people might not have been offended.

Furthermore, the mom of three shot down claims that she was disrespecting the culture and even explained that she was just celebrating it through her Fulani braids. More than that, Kardashian stressed that it was also for her daughter, who got ecstatic and excited to see them both with matching hairstyles.

North's Hairstyle

To be fair, Kardashian has been vocal about celebrating North's natural textured hair. She even went to take lessons in braiding just so she could style her eldest's locks. However, in light of the 5-year-old's mane, the Keeping Up with the Kardashians star has also come under fire for straightening the girl's hair.

Kardashian also cleared the cloud that's been following her of late because of North's recent hairstyle and explained that it was the request of the little girl who wanted to try it. Coincidentally, it was also a special occasion because it was the child's birthday. Furthermore, the mom retaliated that there were no extensions in the first place and that it was actually the girl's natural hair length.