Kim Kardashian Won't Apologize for Her Sexuality, Really Wishes You'd Get Over Her Sex Tape

In an essay posted to her official website on Tuesday, Kim Kardashian defended her decision to post the nude selfie that has become the subject of much heated debate this week. The emotional response posted by the Keeping Up with the Kardashians star focuses on what she says is her right to post whatever she wants and feel empowered by her boy. "The life lessons I’ve learned from my sisters, my mother and my grandmother, I will pass along to my daughter," Kim writes. "I want her to be proud of who she is. I want her to be comfortable in her body. I don’t want her to grow up in a world where she is made to feel less-than for embracing everything it means to be a woman." Kim also references the sex tape she made with ex-boyfriend Ray J in 2003 — which ultimately helped catapult her into the public eye — and encourages people to move past it like she has.   

The open letter was released on International Women's Day, which marks the celebration of women and seeks to empower them. Here's her statement in full (via Elle):

“Hey, guys. I wanted to write a post elaborating on my tweets last night. In all seriousness, I never understand why people get so bothered by what other people choose to do with their lives.

I don’t do drugs, I hardly drink, I’ve never committed a crime—and yet I’m a bad role model for being proud of my body?

It always seems to come back around to my sex tape. Yes, a sex tape that was made 13 years ago. 13 YEARS AGO. Literally that lonnng ago. And people still want to talk about it?!?!

I lived through the embarrassment and fear, and decided to say who cares, do better, move on. I shouldn’t have to constantly be on the defense, listing off my accomplishments just to prove that I am more than something that happened 13 years ago.

Let’s move on, already. I have.

I am empowered by my body. I am empowered by my sexuality. I am empowered by feeling comfortable in my skin. I am empowered by showing the world my flaws and not being afraid of what anyone is going to say about me. And I hope that through this platform I have been given, I can encourage the same empowerment for girls and women all over the world.

I am empowered by my husband, who is so accepting and supportive and who has given me a newfound confidence in myself. He allows me to be me and loves me unconditionally.

I feel so lucky to have grown up surrounded by strong, driven, independent women. The life lessons I’ve learned from my sisters, my mother and my grandmother, I will pass along to my daughter. I want her to be proud of who she is. I want her to be comfortable in her body. I don’t want her to grow up in a world where she is made to feel less-than for embracing everything it means to be a woman.

It’s 2016. The body-shaming and slut-shaming—it’s like, enough is enough. I will not live my life dictated by the issues you have with my sexuality. You be you and let me be me.

I am a mother. I am a wife, a sister, a daughter, an entrepreneur and I am allowed to be sexy.

#happyinternationalwomensday.”

In addition to the backlash, Kim has received support from a number of stars, including Demi Lovato, Miley Cyrus, Modern Family actress Ariel Winter, and, perhaps the most unlikely of people, her husband's ex-girlfriend, Amber Rose. While the two women have a complicated history, Amber did speak up in defense of Kim, after P!nk appeared to have criticized her. "Damn Pink we were all born naked society sexualizes our breast and bodies. If a grown mother of 2 is comfortable with her body and wants to show it off that's none of ur business or anyone else's," Amber wrote on Instagram. "Now, if u wanna talk to kids and be a mentor to young teens, tell them to go to school and to not use their bodies to get ahead?! I'm all for it! But please as a grown woman let another grown woman live as she wishes."