Celebrity model Kendall Jenner was accused of cultural appropriation over social media after launching her new tequila brand, 818 tequila. Jenner announced the brand launch over Instagram, claiming that the tequila had anonymously won eight awards, including best reposado at a world event.
After her announcement was made, social media accused her of culturally appropriating Mexican culture and traditions. One user wrote, “Something about Kendall Jenner making tequila rubs me the wrong way…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, and not to mention profit off the brown hands that actually plant, grow, harvest, ferment, and distill the agave plants in Jalisco.”
Another Twitter user wrote, “Kendall Jenner starting a tequila brand, with zero knowledge on Mexican culture and calling it ‘818 tequila’ is GENTRIFICATION. The 818 does not claim Calabasas. What about those smaller, family-owned Mexican tequila/mezcal brands? They deserve the hype & support.”
These types of accusations have been thrown at the Kardashian-Jenner family in the past. With Kim Kardashian’s “Kimono” shapewear line was accused of appropriating Japanese culture before Kim changed the name to “Skims.”
