Kim Kardashian is one of the most photographed women in history. She has spent decades perfecting her "angle," her lighting, and a public persona that is essentially a masterclass in controlled perfection. Yet, the image that defines her more than any Vogue cover or Met Gala appearance is a blurry, high-contrast screengrab of her looking, frankly, a bit of a mess.
We are talking about the crying Kim K face.
It is the internet’s favorite shorthand for devastation, minor inconveniences, and "I literally can't even." But there is a weirdly deep history behind those mascara-streaked tears. It isn't just one photo. It’s a whole mood that has survived through multiple "eras" of Kim’s life.
The 2008 Colorado Trip: Where the "Ugly Cry" Was Born
Most people think the meme started with the 72-day marriage or the lost diamond earring in Bora Bora. Actually, the blueprint was laid way back in 2008 during Keeping Up With The Kardashians Season 2, Episode 8.
The family was on a ski trip in Breckenridge, Colorado. Kim was going through it. She was crying on a bed, her face scrunching into that now-famous grimace. It was the first time we saw her lose that "polished" reality star veneer.
What made it legendary wasn't just the face itself, but Kourtney Kardashian’s reaction. While Kim was genuinely distraught, Kourtney was sitting right there, literally laughing at her. "I start laughing at Kim when she's crying because I just can't help it," Kourtney told the cameras in a confessional. "She has this ugly crying face that she makes."
Kourtney basically spoke for the entire internet before the internet even knew what to do with the footage.
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Why the Internet Can't Get Over Those Tears
So, why did this specific expression become the "Mona Lisa" of memes? Honestly, it’s because it’s the ultimate equalizer.
Kim Kardashian is a billionaire. She lives in a house that looks like a futuristic museum and flies on a private jet named "Kim Air." But when she cries? She looks exactly like the rest of us do when we’ve had a really bad day and the Uber Eats driver forgets the dipping sauce.
It’s relatable. It’s raw. It’s a crack in the Matrix of celebrity branding.
- Humanization: Seeing a "perfect" person look "ugly" is cathartic for an audience.
- Versatility: You can use it for "I failed my math test" or "They ran out of Oat Milk."
- The Contrast: It’s the opposite of her Instagram grid.
The "Kimoji" Pivot: If You Can’t Beat 'Em, Monetize 'Em
Most celebrities would pay millions to scrub an unflattering photo from the web. Not Kim. She basically saw the meme, shrugged, and said, "How can I sell this?"
By the time she launched her Kimoji app in 2015, the crying face was the flagship icon. She put it on phone cases, wrapping paper, and even lighters. She realized that the "ugly cry" wasn't a PR disaster; it was a brand asset.
She even poked fun at it herself during the final season of KUWTK. In the trailer, she told fans she wouldn't leave them without "some seriously ugly cry faces" for the road. That kind of self-awareness is exactly why she’s still relevant while other 2000s stars have faded into "Where Are They Now?" listicles.
The Different "Flavors" of the Crying Kim K Face
Believe it or not, connoisseurs of the meme recognize different versions of the face. It’s evolved over the years as her style (and, let’s be real, her cosmetic journey) has changed.
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The Bora Bora Meltdown
"Kim, there's people that are dying."
We have to mention the 2011 diamond earring incident. When Kris Humphries tossed her into the ocean and she lost a $75,000 earring, the crying face returned in full force. This version of the face is specifically tied to "rich people problems." It’s the version you use when you’re complaining about something incredibly privileged.
The New York Heartbreak
In Kourtney & Kim Take New York, we saw a more somber, depressed version of the cry. This was when she realized her marriage to Kris Humphries was over after just a few weeks. This face is less "scrunchy" and more "hollow." It’s the one fans use for genuine, existential dread.
The Legacy in 2026
In a world of AI-generated perfection and filtered-to-death TikToks, the crying Kim K face remains a weirdly authentic artifact. It’s a reminder of a time when reality TV felt a little more "real" and a little less curated.
Katy Perry recently joked about her own "ugly cry face" on Instagram, and Kim was right there in the comments saying, "We all have one." It’s become a rite of passage for celebrities now. If you can’t show your "ugly" side, are you even a real person?
How to Use the Meme Today
If you’re looking to deploy this icon in the wild, context is everything.
- The "Colorado" Classic: Use for petty drama or when your sibling is being "rude."
- The "Bora Bora" Earring: Perfect for when you lose your AirPods or your favorite pen.
- The "Final Season" Face: Use for the end of an era, like graduating or finishing a long show.
Don't overthink it. The beauty of the meme is that it’s supposed to look a little chaotic.
If you want to dive deeper into the world of reality TV history, you can check out the official E! archives or re-watch the early seasons of Keeping Up. Most of the iconic clips are still floating around on Peacock if you need to see the "scrunch" in high definition for yourself.
The best way to appreciate the meme is to embrace your own "ugly cry." Next time life gets a little too heavy, remember: even the most famous woman in the world doesn't look like a supermodel when she's actually feeling something.