Kendall Jenner Accused Of Cultural Appropriation After Releasing Her Own Tequila

Model and reality star Kendall Jenner is accused of exploiting Mexican culture after announcing the release of her new Tequila brand. Many social media users see Jenner’s 818 Tequila— named after her Calabasas area code — as appropriating Mexican culture, which she has no ties to.

The Keeping Up With The Kardashians star debuted her 818 tequila brand on Instagram, stating that she’s been working on the company for nearly four years. Jenner revealed that the tequila brand has already won a series of awards in the spirits industry, including Best Reposado Tequila at the World Tequila Awards and the Chairman’s Trophy at the Ultimate Spirits Challenge. The brand does not have a confirmed launch date.

One Twitter user wrote: “Like the idea of white celebrities taking from local Mexican artisans and profiting off our traditions and agricultural business yet only visit Cabos and Puerto Vallarta for vacation spots…” 

Another person criticized Jenner for not publicly expressing gratitude toward those who worked on making the drink. “Damn at least thank the Mexican farmers, distillers whose craft and heritage you’re appropriating,” they wrote.

Accusations of cultural appropriation aren’t uncommon for the Kardashian-Jenner family, who has a lengthy history of appropriating cultures for their business ventures and public images. Older sister Kim Kardashian, for one, has been accused of appropriating Japanese culture for the launch of her shapewear brand, which she initially called Kimono. Kardashian ultimately changed the brand’s name to Skims due to the backlash.

Other family members of the Kardashian clan have been accused multiple times of appropriating Black culture for their appearances, such as wearing their hair in cornrows or appearing in photoshoots with noticeably darker skin.

Jenner previously faced accusations of cultural appropriation in her controversial Pepsi commercial in 2017, which appeared to trivialize the Black Lives Matter movement.