Kendall Jenner partied her heart out Friday night in celebration of the launch of her new 818 Tequila, amid backlash that the promo for the brand — and for some, the brand itself — appropriates Mexican culture.
Jenner was joined by sisters Kim and Khloé Kardashian, Kylie Jenner, mother Kris Jenner and friends like model bestie Hailey Bieber and singer Katy Perry at Craig’s in Los Angeles for a 5-star meal and drinks courtesy of 818.
“Here’s to female entrepreneurship” Perry 36, toasted in Jenner’s honor in footage shared by Kim on Instagram.
The dinner then turned into an 818-themed party, with branded games and displays throughout the space. A green truck labeled “Kenny’s Tequila Delivery Service” was also parked out front to add to the tequila-soaked ambiance.
Other celebrity guests included Chris Brown, model Winnie Harlow, Migos rappers Quavo and TakeOff, Kid Cudi, Jaden Smith and more.
The celebration comes shortly after ads for the brand divided social media, with several onlookers accusing Jenner of cultural appropriation.
Throughout the ad — which features Jenner riding on horseback among rows of agave plants and sipping tequila on the back of a pickup truck — the runway pro wore jeans, a cowboy hat and a loose cotton shirt over a tank top, a look some have referred to as “tone-deaf” and “migrant chic.”
For many, the look capitalized on stereotypes associated with Mexican farmers.
“YOU’VE GOT TO BE KIDDING ME,” tweeted one critic of the promo shots. “Leave it to Kendall to be as tone-deaf as possible, this is so offensive. Modeling that chic migrant worker look for her tequila brand, watch her cry and say she didn’t know later on for the 100th time.”
Fans of Jenner, however, were quick to defend her latest business, saying men such as George Clooney, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, LeBron James, Kevin Hart and several others have launched tequila brands without being accused of appropriating Mexican culture.
“Kendall Jenner’s 818 tequila is no different than George Clooney’s Casamigos or The Rock’s Teramana,” tweeted one supporter, with another adding, “I get why Kendal shouldn’t own a tequila & I’m for it, BUT why don’t y’all have that same energy with every celebrity who owns a tequila that isn’t Mexican ????”
Kendall Jenner and celeb pals celebrate 818 Tequila amid appropriation backlash - Page Six
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