In the fast-paced, often hyper-critical world of celebrity social media, the ability to deliver a sharp, timely "clapback" is more than just a personality trait; for the Kardashian-Jenner family, it has become a form of cultural currency. Over the course of two decades, the world’s most famous reality TV dynasty has navigated the treacherous waters of public opinion with a mixture of silence, sarcasm, and occasional biting wit. Now, it appears the next generation is ready to take the mantle. North West, the 12-year-old eldest daughter of Kim Kardashian and Kanye West, recently proved that the family’s signature defiance is alive and well, demonstrating a social media savvy that belies her young age.
The latest controversy centered on a dermal finger piercing that North recently debuted. In a digital landscape where every parenting choice made by Kim Kardashian is scrutinized under a microscope, the aesthetic choice quickly became a lightning rod for criticism. Trolls and "mommy shamers" flocked to comment sections to express their disapproval, questioning the age-appropriateness of the piercing. However, North, who shares a TikTok account with her mother, was not about to let the negativity linger.
In a video posted on December 9, North utilized a viral audio clip that has become a staple for dismissing unnecessary drama. Lip-syncing to the lines, “Why are you crying? How old are you? Just pull it together,” the pre-teen sent a clear message to her detractors. To ensure the context was unmistakable, she captioned the post with a pointed remark: “This is for everyone that’s mad over a finger piercing.” The response was classic Kardashian—dismissive, slightly humorous, and entirely effective at shifting the narrative from the "offense" to the absurdity of the outcry.
This instinct for public defense is a recurring theme in the family’s history. From the early days of Keeping Up With the Kardashians to their current iteration on Hulu’s The Kardashians, the sisters have frequently used their platforms to address rumors, defend their parenting, and occasionally take each other down a peg. For many fans, these moments of unfiltered honesty are what have kept the family relevant long after critics predicted their "fifteen minutes" would expire.
Kim Kardashian, the architect of the family’s media empire, has often been the one to set the tone for how to handle public ire. In 2016, she famously advised her followers to embrace their feelings when it comes to dealing with haters, suggesting that if one feels like "talking s–t" back, they should go for it. Recently, Kim applied this philosophy to her burgeoning acting career. When her legal drama All’s Fair—produced by Ryan Murphy and co-starring heavyweights like Naomi Watts and Sarah Paulson—faced preemptive skepticism from online critics, Kim leaned into the "hate-watching" culture. She shared photos of her prestigious castmates with a sarcastically enthusiastic caption, asking fans if they had tuned into the "most critically acclaimed show of the year." By mocking the intensity of her critics, she reclaimed control over her own narrative.
While Kim often uses sarcasm, her sister Khloe Kardashian has undergone a notable evolution in her approach to digital bullying. In the past, Khloe was known as the family’s "firebrand," often engaging in heated Twitter exchanges to protect herself or her sisters. However, by late 2024, the Good American founder revealed during a Snapchat Q&A that she had reached a point of emotional detachment. Khloe explained that she now views online bullying as a reflection of the bully’s own insecurities rather than a comment on her own character. “It’s about them, not you,” she noted, emphasizing that blocking negative accounts has become her preferred method of maintaining peace.
Yet, even a more reserved Khloe has her limits. When rumors began to swirl in 2020 regarding her personal life and reproductive choices, she took to social media to blast the "sick and hurtful" nature of public speculation. She reminded her followers that her life—and specifically her "uterus"—was not public property. Similarly, she has been a fierce defender of her role as a mother. When she was criticized for attending a charity event without her daughter, True, Khloe didn’t hold back, pointing out the double standards faced by working mothers and noting that her child was perfectly safe with her father.
Kourtney Kardashian, often perceived as the most "unbothered" of the siblings, has her own unique style of handling the public. Her brand of clapback is frequently rooted in a "peace and positivity" aesthetic that still manages to be incredibly sharp. When a follower questioned why she didn’t spend more time or money on global activism during a family vacation, Kourtney responded with a gracious invitation for the critic to provide suggestions, turning a hostile comment into a lesson in civil discourse. She has also been a vocal advocate for body positivity, shutting down pregnancy rumors by stating plainly that she loves her body’s natural shape after giving birth to three children.
The younger generation of the family, Kendall and Kylie Jenner, have also had to develop thick skin in the age of viral memes. Kendall Jenner, who generally keeps her private life out of the headlines, made waves in 2020 when she addressed a sexist meme regarding her dating history with NBA players. In a tweet that went viral for its boldness, she asserted that she was in "full control" of her own life, effectively silencing the "passing her around" narrative that had been circulating in sports-centric corners of the internet.
Kylie Jenner, meanwhile, has mastered the art of the self-deprecating retort. When the "world record egg" surpassed her as the most-liked photo on Instagram in 2019, Kylie didn’t pout; she posted a video of herself cracking an egg on the hot pavement. More recently, when critics called her and Kendall’s Halloween tribute to The Lizzie McGuire Movie "awkward," Kylie simply replied that the critics obviously hadn’t seen the film, highlighting the disconnect between the sisters’ internal jokes and the public’s perception.
Even the internal dynamics of the family are subject to these sharp exchanges. One of the most famous moments in reality TV history—Kourtney’s 2011 remark to a distraught, earring-losing Kim: “Kim, there’s people that are dying”—has become a permanent fixture in the pop culture lexicon. This ability to poke fun at their own privilege and absurdity is a key component of their longevity. It humanizes them while simultaneously reinforcing their status as untouchable icons.
As North West enters her teenage years, she is navigating a world that is far more digitally aggressive than the one her mother entered in the mid-2000s. By using TikTok to address her "finger piercing" critics, she is not just defending a fashion choice; she is demonstrating that she understands the mechanics of fame. She knows that in the Kardashian-Jenner universe, you don’t let the public have the last word.
The legacy of the "clapback" is ultimately about power. For these women, responding to critics is a way to assert that they are not merely passive objects for public consumption. Whether it is Kourtney blocking negative accounts to preserve her "positive vibrations," Kim defending Khloe’s work ethic as a single mother, or North West telling the world to "pull it together," the message remains the same: they are in on the joke, they are aware of the criticism, and they are not going anywhere. As the family continues to grow and the next generation finds its voice, the art of the retort will undoubtedly remain a cornerstone of the Kardashian-Jenner brand.
