Kris Jenner’s Star-Studded 70th Birthday Sparks Praise and Criticism
By: Clerfania Previlon
Kris Jenner celebrated her 70th birthday party in Jeff Bezos's $165 million mansion, surrounded by a star-studded guest list on November 8th.
Daily Mail reports that the James Bond-themed party cost an estimated $3.9 to $6.5 million, factoring in production costs and entertainment.
Some of the wealthiest guests in attendance, known for their billions, were Tyler Perry, Jay-Z, Mark Zuckerberg, Bill Gates, and Oprah.
The party was described as “One of the best I’ve ever been to, the decor was beautiful, the music was jamming from Bruno Mars to one of the best DJ sets ever, to delicious food and people dancing, laughing, and having fun” by Tina Knowles, per People Magazine.
Drama surrounded the royal guests in attendance, Meghan Markle and Prince Harry, after they were deleted from posts of the party. People Magazine reported that the pair did not consent to having the photos posted, and representatives of the royals reached out to the Kardashians asking for them to be removed.
Page Six reports that the Kardashians are annoyed with the royal family for overshadowing Kris’ big day with the photo drama.
The birthday bash is met with some backlash as the Daily Mail reports that police were called multiple times the night of the party due to noise complaints. This is not the first time the Jenner-Kardashian family has been under scrutiny for hosting a birthday party.
In 2020, Kris Jenner defended Kendall Jenner’s decision to host a birthday party during the coronavirus pandemic. Some critics feel the matriarch’s decision to host the lavish party mirrors Kendall’s. The party took place at the tail end of the longest government shutdown in American history, which posed a threat to the financial and food security of millions.
Between the deleted photos, repeated noise complaints, and the criticism over opulence during national hardship, the celebration sparked conversations beyond Hollywood. Hampton University students offered their perspective.
“I think it's kind of nuanced, I don't think it's really a black or white type of thing. I mean, it is her money, but at the same time, I probably wouldn't have put on a big show,” Kali Henderson, first-year Journalism major, said. “There is a lot going on in the country right now….it's kind of out of touch, but I feel like since they're loaded, they're just gonna be out of touch regardless.”
The birthday celebration has become less about the matriarch’s 70th birthday but more about the optics of it all. However, Kris is already planning the family Christmas party, which “might be a little smaller than previous years,” she said per E! News.
