Kylie Jenner’s Vanity Fair cover shoot has been ridiculed by fans who have accused her of ‘changing race’ and glamorizing smoking.
The lip kit mogul, 28, looked unrecognizable on the front page of the magazine’s Spring Issue as she perched on a bed in a black bra and riding pants with her legs spread and a cigarette hanging from her mouth.
The cover shoot, which was shared to Instagram on Wednesday, immediately ignited a mammoth backlash on social media.
Onlookers confessed they struggled to identify Jenner at first because her skin tone appeared darker, which prompted accusations of ‘Blackfishing.’
Meanwhile, others condemned the mother-of-two for smoking.
Underneath a photograph on the publication’s official social media account, one blasted: ‘Is this really Kylie Jenner? I really thought at first that the wrong image was used.
‘Wow. Okay then. Why is she cosplaying an Indian woman?’
Another said: ‘Why the ethnicity change?’
Kylie Jenner’s Vanity Fair cover shoot has ignited a fierce online response
The lip kit mogul stunned audiences with her noticeably darker complexion and angered some for puffing on a cigarette
‘Not her changing race,’ scathed a third.
Taking issue with Jenner holding a cigarette, one begged the question: ‘Why is she smoking?’
‘Smoking is not in fashion,’ snapped another.
‘Why are we glamorizing smoking in 2026? This is not it,’ one argued.
This isn’t the first time Jenner has faced accusations of ‘Blackfishing.’
In 2021, she was called out by fans after she shared a video showcasing her tanned complexion to Instagram.
The makeup billionaire’s complexion looked far darker than usual while she posed in one of her luxury cars, prompting claims she was presenting herself as black on social media.
Blackfishing describes someone who pretends to be Black on social media for social or financial gain – using make-up, hairstyles, or even surgery to alter their appearance and adopt characteristics typically associated with women of color.
Jenner is the publication’s Spring issue cover star and gave a rare interview
Jenner appeared completely naked wearing nothing but a cape and heels in one photo
Elsewhere in her Vanity Fair spread, Jenner posed topless while lying on a bed and covered her modesty with her hands.
She also appeared completely naked wearing nothing but a cape and heels.
In the accompanying interview, Jenner, who is in a relationship with Hollywood actor Timothee Chalamet, 30, said she wants more children.
Jenner is already mother to Stormi, seven, and four-year-old son Aire, from her relationship with musician Travis Scott, 34, and Chalamet has previously said he wants to be a dad.
‘In the last years of my 20s, I want to focus on just me, my businesses, my work, traveling with my kids, enjoying my kids, and then… I do want to have more kids…,’ she said.
Jenner also reflected upon her ‘fun’ romance with Wonka star Chalamet when asked about the shout-out he gave her at the Critics’ Choice Awards in January where he confessed his love for her.
Jenner opened up about her relationship with Hollywood actor Timothee Chalamet
In January, the actor won the Best Actor trophy for his role in Marty Supreme and made a very public declaration of love for his girlfriend.
As he finished his acceptance speech, Chalamet praised Jenner and said: ‘Lastly, I’ll just say, thank you to my partner of three years.
‘Thank you for our foundation. I couldn’t do this without you. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.’
Jenner was seen in the audience resting her chin on her folded hands and mouthed: ‘I love you.’
Referencing the moment in Vanity Fair, Jenner was asked: ‘Is it fun to be shouted out onstage?’
Eventually, Jenner replied: ‘Of course.’
