Kim Kardashian Breaks Silence on North West’s Piercing Controversy
North West has quickly become one of the most talked-about celebrity kids online. At just 12 years old, Kim Kardashian and Kanye “Ye” West’s eldest daughter has carved out a polarizing digital footprint long before hitting her teens. She continues to debut bold style choices, including various piercings, that have sent fans into a frenzy online. And many Kardashian-Jenner fans have questioned what her mother thinks. Now, Kim is addressing the controversy surrounding her daughter head-on. Here’s what she said.
Kim Kardashian just responded to North West’s piercing controversy
Kim Kardashian has always shown unwavering support for how North West chooses to express herself. The preteen loves piercings, fake tattoos, and her blue braids — and she’s unafraid to showcase her latest fashion moments on TikTok and Instagram. In January 2026, Kim spoke on Khloé Kardashian’s podcast, Khloé in Wonder Land, about North’s self-expression. Kim explained how many of North’s followers likely believe that she allows her daughter to do whatever she wants without boundaries. However, Kim explained how this isn’t the case.
“I think that no one knows unless they’re in my shoes of what I’m dealing with and how we have to manage certain things from the outside world or even close in our life that we have to go through together,” Kim noted. “I think the one misconception that people might have is that, ‘Oh, she’s trying to be her bestie,’ and lets her get away with a lot. Like, no. Northie actually has a lot of rules. The one area is I do let her express herself.”
Kim explained how North was always interested in piercings and hair dye. In the first grade, she said her daughter would wear fake septum rings and colorful braids. “She’s always loved the colored braids, since she was little,” Kim added. “She really is who she is and always has been that girl. And so I nurture her.”
Kim Kardashian explained how she homeschools North West
During her conversation with Khloé Kardashian, Kim Kardashian verified that she homeschools her eldest daughter, North West.
“A lot of it is me helping her do a lot of the teachings and the things that we do, but we do a lot of realistic courses — things that she’s really into,” Kim explained.
The reality star explained her hands-on approach to certain subjects, such as math. Additionally, North takes a brand-building class. “It’s an actual course and a curriculum …,” Kim said. “And so she had an idea of making hats and making jewelry, and all the things she wanted to make. So, we made it a course.” North has to create the web design and budgeting, as well as acquire materials. For the preteen’s fashion courses, she has to attend fashion camp during the summers in New York.
“[She] loves these more interactive experiences,” Kardashian said. “And so I nurture her. It’s a full-time job, even for me and her teacher. … I’ve now added a teacher to my role.”
How does the reality star co-parent with Kanye ‘Ye’ West now?
Kim Kardashian noted that she and her ex, Kanye “Ye” West, are on much better terms now than they were previously. And they’ve bonded heavily over North West’s love of music.
“At the end of the day, we’re always family,” Kim said on her sister’s podcast. “I always look at it that way, no matter what’s going on. There are times when I have to be super protective, and there are times when, at any moment, I would love that relationship, and I’ve always talked about that.”
Kim added that North “bonds” with Ye over creating and producing music. However, she and Ye still have to “communicate about how North moves through that world” as opportunities present themselves.
“I think it’s important for the kids,” Kim said. “You just kind of have to put all of the other stuff aside.”
