Content Advisory: This article discusses paparazzi harassment, verbal abuse toward a minor, childhood fame, and emotional distress. Reader discretion is advised.
Kylie Jenner is looking back at the darker side of growing up famous, and one detail from her teenage years has left fans stunned.
The 28-year-old beauty mogul opened up during a new appearance on Jake Shane’s ‘Therapuss’ podcast, where she described the brutal treatment she allegedly faced from paparazzi when she was only 16.
Jenner has lived most of her life in front of cameras because of ‘Keeping Up With The Kardashians’. Still, she said the attention outside the show was far more disturbing than people may have realized, especially because she was often dealing with it alone.
Kylie Jenner Says Paparazzi Treatment Was ‘Diabolical’
Jenner explained that being spotted in Los Angeles became overwhelming when she was younger.
“I think that’s because, honestly, paparazzi or in L.A. it’s just easier to be spotted,” she said while explaining why she rarely leaves home in the city.
She said photographers no longer camp outside her house the way they once did, but recalled that things were “so insane” during her teenage years.
“I don’t even know how I’m like a normal person right now,” Jenner admitted.
Then she described the kind of language paparazzi allegedly used toward her while she was still underage. “The things that they would say to me and how they would treat me as a child is diabolical,” Jenner said. “Like inappropriate.”
She recalled photographers allegedly yelling a very degrading insult (taken out due to compliance reasons) at her when she was 16. The claim visibly shocked Shane, who responded, “What! You’re lying.”
“I’m not lying,” Jenner said.
Jenner Says She Faced It Without Security
Jenner said she often refused to stop for photographers, which only made them more aggressive.
“I would never try to give them a photo,” she explained. “So, I would just jump into the car and then there would be like six of them and they would stand in front of my car as I was like, 16, turning my car on.”
According to Jenner, some photographers tried to provoke her because they wanted a dramatic image they could sell.
“They would all stand out because I would be hiding,” she said, adding that some would “mock” her.
One of the most striking parts of the interview was her admission that she did not have security during much of that period.
“I didn’t have security until after I had my daughter,” Jenner said. “I really wanted to not have security.”
When Shane asked whether she had been “completely alone,” Jenner quietly replied, “Yes.”
Fame Became Normal Before She Could Understand It
Jenner has previously spoken about the strange reality of growing up on television. In a 2023 interview with Jennifer Lawrence, she said fame was harder when she was younger, but also admitted she had no real comparison point.
“I don’t really know what it would be like to grow up not in the spotlight,” she said at the time.
On ‘Therapuss’, Jenner reflected on the beginning of ‘Keeping Up With The Kardashians’, which started filming when she was just 9.
“They were there one day in the house and everyone made it seem really normal,” she said. “So it felt pretty natural.”
Despite the damage that came with fame, Jenner said the show also helped keep the family close.
“The show really kind of brought us all together,” she said. “It still does today.”
Jenner Got Emotional Explaining Fame To Stormi
Jenner also recently opened up about explaining the family’s fame to her daughter, Stormi.
During an appearance on the ‘Big Bro With Kid Cudi’ podcast, she said she told Stormi that the family started a TV show when Kylie was only a little older than her daughter is now.
“We started a television show when I was a year older than you, and that’s why we’re all in this together,” Jenner recalled telling her.
After showing Stormi an episode, Jenner said she broke down.
“I was so emotional after,” she said. “I don’t know what hit me, but I was weeping in my bed.”
For Jenner, the moment seemed to connect two versions of her life: the child who grew up on camera, and the mother now trying to explain that fame to her own daughter.
