Kylie Jennerhas responded again to criticism that she is a “self-made” billionaire.
Earlier this month,Forbesofficially namedthe Kylie Cosmetics mogul the youngest self-made billionaire ever — which left many wondering if the “self-made” label could apply to someone from a family likethe Kardashians.
In aNew York Timesarticle published on Saturday, Jenner, 21, admitted that she “can’t say” she became a billionaire all on her own.
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“I didn’t expect anything. I did not foresee the future,” Jenner told the outlet. “But [the recognition] feels really good. That’s a nice pat on the back.”
But Jenner’s billion-dollar empire also stems from her other earnings like an array of product endorsements (includingsponsored postsfor Fit Tea Wraps, waist trainer company Waist Gang Society and more), herKUWTKpaycheck, the Kendall + Kylie clothing line and her Adidas partnership.
Overall, the businesswoman credits her booming success to the internet (she has over 130 million Instagram followers alone). “It’s the power of social media,” Jenner toldForbes. “I had such a strong reach before I was able to start anything.”
Jenner has previously defended the “self-made” label, saying in an interview withInterview Germanyearlier this month that“not a dime” of her moneywas inherited.
“There’s really no other word to use other than self-made because that is the truth,” she told the outlet. “That is the category that I fall under.”
Jenner did acknowledge that her family’s fame gave her a platform, but she said she’s been financially independent for the last six years.
“I am a special case because before I started Kylie Cosmetics, I had a huge platform and lots of fans,” told the magazine. “I did not get money from my parents past the age of 15. I used 100 percent of my own money to start the company, not a dime in my bank account is inherited… and I am very proud of that.”
In February, the reality star also toldPAPERMagazinethat her parents,KrisandCaitlyn Jenner, had“cut her off” at 15.
“I had such a huge platform, I had so many followers already and I had so many people watching me,” Kylie said, adding that “the self-made thing is true.”
“My parents told me I needed to make my own money, it’s time to learn how to save and spend your own money, stuff like that,” she toldPAPER. “What I’m trying to say is I did have a platform, but none of my money is inherited.”
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As seenKeeping Up with the Kardashians, she stilllived with mom Krisuntil she turned 18, buying a $2.7 million Calabasas mansion in 2015. At the time, Kylie told InStyle U.K. that Kris had stopped funding her lifestyle three years earlier, though a source told PEOPLE, “getting cut off ismore of a technicality.”
“She had a refrigerator full of food and all the luxuries that come with [living with] Mom but unless it was a gift, if she wanted a new Chanel bag, Kylie was the one paying for it,” the source said.
However, Kylie doesn’t feel like anything has changed since becoming a billionaire.
source: people.com
