Megan Fox: The One Who Told Women To Stop Listening To Patriarchy Because They Are ‘Eternal Light Beings’ – How Kim Kardashian Proved She Was Right

Megan Fox recently broke her social media hiatus when she posted an Instagram story, her first following the birth of her daughter with Machine Gun Kelly, born in March. The story read, ‘38 years old. Six weeks pregnant (unplanned but a happy surprise). Please stop listening to the patriarchy. Women are eternal light beings. Women don’t have an expiration date. Don’t let them take your power from you.’ In the video, made by a fan, Fox was seen giggling around and being silly, wearing a cropped shirt and pleated skirt.

Of the status of her relationship with MGK, nothing was said or implied that they were back together since they broke up (yet again) back in December, just a few short weeks after Fox announced her pregnancy. However, the two were seen together on occasions following the birth of their daughter, so at least they have a good co-parenting relationship. She previously told Alex Cooper on the Call Her Daddy podcast, ‘I think what I’ve learned from being in this relationship is it’s not for public consumption. So I think, as of now, I don’t have a comment on the status of the relationship perse. What I can say is that is what I refer to as being my twin soul, and there will always be a tether to him no matter what. I can’t say for sure what the capacity will be, but I will always be connected to him somehow. Beyond that, I’m not willing to explain.’ I honestly wish she learned it sooner, because their relationship was harder to keep up with than it was with the Kardashians.

Fox’s ‘comeback’ was strong and empowering to women and girls everywhere around the world. It struck a chord with them; and with me too. Her transparency took back the narrative that women are on a timeline. It was her addressing some of the negative comments she received, particularly those related to her age and the “unplanned” nature of the pregnancy. Though she was, for the most part, talking about becoming a mother in that particular post, the words could resonate with ALL women; not just those who eager to become mothers at a ‘later’ age.

The post highlighted that motherhood isn’t limited to a specific age or time frame, especially when it comes to women’s bodies and fertility. By framing her pregnancy as a conscious and empowering choice, she moved far away from the tabloid-driven and the outdated notion of unplanned pregnancies and redefined what it means to become a parent later in life. Fox’s words of encouragement resonated with women by showcasing the strength and resilience of motherhood, especially in a world that often puts pressure on women to conform to specific timelines. It also sparked a broader conversation about maternal age, the complexities of motherhood, and the evolving understanding of what it means to be a woman and a parent in the 21st century.

But again, Fox’s testament wasn’t just about a woman’s fertility based on her age. It highlighted the broader concept of women’s power and autonomy, reminding women that they are not defined by their ability to reproduce or their perceived biological clock. She did more than tell women not to worry about the baseless timeline that was invented by society. She encourages women to trust their own instincts and not let external pressures dictate their lives; in more than just fertility and having children as a whole. It put an emphasis that women aren’t, or at least shouldn’t be, defined by their roles as mothers, wives, or any other societal label. Her message empowers women to define their own values and live their lives on their own terms. 

Listen, there are plenty of things you shouldn’t be doing in your thirties. Like asking people you just met for their social media handles as the sole means of initial communication; like getting into a physical fight over words. There’s a lot more to lose as you get older for assaulting someone over what they said; like not knowing basic survival skills, like cooking or doing your laundry, and relying on someone to do it for you; like Putting up with BS; like to be interested in a conversation or an activity or an outing as a whole just not to hurt someone’s feelings; like your life for other people’s happiness and making yourself miserable for it; like judging others for what they like and enjoy doing; like playing mind games…

The one thing a you, as a woman in your 30’s shouldn’t be doing is worrying about what you’re too old for. If it makes you happy, do it. Period. Let’s take Kim Kardashian as an example. She recently graduated law school – a milestone that was 6 years in the making. She’s now 44 years old, which means she only started at 38. Jessica Jackson, who mentored Kardashian during the 6 years, called her achievement ‘one of the most inspiring legal journeys we’ve ever seen.’ In a speech at Kardashian’s graduation, Jackson said, ‘Six years ago, Kim Kardashian walked into this program with nothing but a fierce desire to fight for justice. No law school lectures, no ivory tower shortcuts, just determination. And a mountain of case law books to read.’ And according to Jackson, Kardashian 18 hours a week, 48 weeks a year for six straight years working towards her goal. She said, ‘That’s a total of 5,184 hours of legal study. That’s time she carved out while raising four children, running businesses, filming television shows and showing up in courtrooms to advocate for others.’

And political commentator Van Jones said in his speech, ‘I’m trying not to get emotional … a household name on five continents. If you go to Antarctica, the penguins know who the Kardashians are. She raised her hand and said she wanted to help, not when it was easy, not when there was a popular White House occupant. But when it was hard. When it wasn’t trendy. When it wasn’t cool. And as a result, 70,000 people are free.’ One of those 700,000 people that Kardashians was advocate for was Alice Johnson, a grandmother who was serving a life sentence without parole for drug offences. She was also vocal about her views on the release of the Menendez brothers, who’ve been serving life sentences without the possibility of parole for the murders of their parents for more than 3 decades now. They’ve since been resentenced to 50 years to life in prison, with the eligibility for parole. Kardashian’s involvement in the case includes the following:

• Advocacy: Kim Kardashian has actively promoted the Menendez brothers’ release, arguing that their case should be re-examined. She has expressed her belief that the brothers’ life sentences without parole are unjust, particularly given the new evidence of abuse they allege they suffered from their father. 
• Prison Visits: Kardashian has visited the Menendez brothers in prison, and has used these visits to inform her advocacy. She has also been seen with the actor who played Erik Menendez in “Monsters,” Cooper Koch. 
• Public Statements: Kardashian has written essays, including one for NBC News, expressing her views on the case. She has also used social media to share her thoughts and support for the brothers. 
• Criminal Justice Reform: Kim Kardashian’s advocacy for the Menendez brothers is part of a larger effort to reform the criminal justice system, which she has been actively involved in. 

Kardashian’s interest in law was anything but sudden. It was only a surprise to those who weren’t paying attention. From meeting with the president to campaigning against gun violence, the reality star has been telegraphing a shift for some time before she decided to pursue an education in law. This deeply rooted her passion for criminal justice reform. Her advocacy, particularly for Alice Marie Johnson, and her subsequent decision to study law, have garnered significant attention. After her advocacy work to free Johnson from her life sentence for a non-violent crime, Kardashian wanted to learn more about the justice system in order to be more effective in her advocacy work. She was also inspired by the work of her father, Robert Kardashian, the renowned lawyer who represented OJ Simpson in his 1994 murder trial of his wife, Nicole Brown Simpson, and her friend, Ron Goldman, for which Simpson was acquitted but later found legally liable in the 1997 civil lawsuit filed by Goldman’s father, Fred.

Kardashian’s decision to go to law school was seen as a storyline on Keeping Up With The Kardashians. At the time, she was still married to Kanye West, now known as Ye. She wasn’t sure if she was capable of doing everything she was already doing with her work and 4 children, and therefore contemplated giving up on her dream of becoming a lawyer. West, however, encouraged her to take on her schooling, and told her she could do anything if she aspired for it. I had a lot of opinions about Ye, how he treated Kardashian and now his second wife, Bianca Censori, as well as opinions of him as a person, but that moment… that was honestly the most non-toxic masculine move a man could ever bring to the table in a marriage.

In one episode of Keeping Up With The Kardashians, Kardashian’s eldest daughter, North, asked why so many people were taking pictures of her. Kardashian said, ‘Well, to get very technical, my name is Kim Kardashian, and Daddy is Kanye West, and Daddy is a singer, performer, artiste. Mommy . . . has so many talents, I can’t even begin to name them.’ And it’s true. She IS a woman of many talents. Though the entire world sees her as being a talentless act, practically famous for nothing but her infamous sex tape, in which she starred in with Ray J, she’s actually really f*cking smart. Kardashian’s appeal is openness about her self-image, pursuits, and goals. She’s become more than just a reality star. She’s an icon. She’s an influencer. She’s a businesswoman. She’s a beauty mogul. She’s a masterpiece at being famous simply for being famous – born to a famous father, was married to a famous husband, and now with a generally famous life. What makes her so unique is that she’s never ashamed or embarrassed of anyone making fun of. If anything, she laughs with them. The laughter motivates her to do better; to be better.

Of her decision to go to study law, Kardashians said, ‘I’m sitting in the Roosevelt Room with, like, a judge who had sentenced criminals and a lot of really powerful people, and I just sat there, like, Oh, shit. I need to know more. I would say what I had to say, about the human side and why this is so unfair. But I had attorneys with me who could back that up with all the facts of the case. It’s never one person who gets things done; it’s always a collective of people, and I’ve always known my role, but I just felt like I wanted to be able to fight for people who have paid their dues to society. I just felt like the system could be so different, and I wanted to fight to fix it, and if I knew more, I could do more.’ And that in itself was very telling. Kardashians didn’t just want to use her influence to make a difference in the legal system. She wanted to actually know the system she was advocating for; and while at it, wanted to know more. She wanted to use her knowledge for the good. To summarize her unconventional journey in studying law, here’s a closer look:

• Law Office Study Program: Instead of attending traditional law school, Kardashian pursued a four-year program where she studied under the mentorship of licensed attorneys. 
• California Bar Exam: Kardashian is now eligible to take the California Bar Exam, which is a crucial step in becoming a licensed attorney in California. 
• “Baby Bar” Exam: She previously passed the First-Year Law Students’ Examination, also known as the “baby bar”, on her fourth attempt. 
• Not a lawyer yet: While she has completed her studies, she still needs to pass the bar exam to be officially recognized as a lawyer. 
• Follows father’s footsteps: Kardashian has stated she is pursuing law to follow in the footsteps of her late father, Robert Kardashian, who was also a lawyer. 

And before you judge that it took Kardashian 6 years to complete the program instead of 4, it’s important to note that it took her that long to complete the program due to the Covid-19 pandemic. As shown on Keeping Up With The Kardashians, she navigated her schooling and getting ready to take her baby bar exam for the second time while being at home with her 4 kids and being sick with covid. People will say that she had a lot of hired help, like Nannie’s, cooks, cleaners, and so on. She most likely did, but it didn’t take away the fact that it was a difficult journey for her regardless of the help that she had. Her end goal was to pass the bar and become a licensed attorney like her late father. She already made a difference before she ever started her education, and should’ve easily stopped at that. But she didn’t. Now that she’s a graduate, she’s planning to take the California Bar Exam.

Kim Kardashian’s journey is a reminder to all women to not limit themselves no matter what they want to do; no matter the age they want to do it. I recently came across a woman who started her blogging journey at 90. She said she was too old and asked herself what the f*ck she was thinking in the first place. And I said to her, there’s no such thing as ‘too late’. Women were made to believe that they’re limited in doing what they want due to historic norms, societal pressures, and confinement to believing that they can either be housewives and mothers OR careerists; not both. Societal limitations on women manifest in various forms across the globe, hindering their full participation and potential in education, the workforce, and leadership roles. These limitations are often rooted in deeply ingrained social norms, stereotypes, and discriminatory practices that restrict opportunities and perpetuate inequality. To break it down more thoroughly:

1. Social and Cultural Norms: 

• Stereotypes: Societal expectations often confine women to traditional roles as caregivers and homemakers, limiting their career aspirations and leadership opportunities. 
• Patriarchal Structures: In many societies, men hold dominant positions, influencing decision-making processes and access to resources, further marginalizing women. 
• Religious and Cultural Beliefs: Certain religious or cultural beliefs can be interpreted to justify restrictions on women’s education, employment, or mobility. 

2. Education: 

• Disparities in Access: In many parts of the world, girls face barriers to education, including lack of access to schools, financial constraints, and cultural norms that prioritize boys’ education. 
• Lower Educational Attainment: Even when girls have access to education, they may face pressure to prioritize marriage and family over pursuing higher education or careers. 

3. Economic Participation: 

• Wage Gap: Women often earn less than men for the same work, contributing to economic inequality and hindering their financial independence. 
• Underrepresentation in Leadership: Women are underrepresented in leadership positions across various sectors, including politics, business, and academia. 
• Occupational Segregation: Women are often concentrated in lower-paying and less prestigious jobs, limiting their career advancement and economic opportunities. 

4. Violence and Harassment: 

• Gender-based Violence: Women and girls are disproportionately affected by violence, including domestic violence, sexual assault, and harassment. 
• Lack of Legal Protection: Inadequate legal frameworks and enforcement mechanisms can leave women vulnerable to violence and discrimination. 

5. Health and Reproductive Rights: 

• Limited Access to Healthcare: Women may face barriers to accessing quality healthcare services, including reproductive health services. 
• Lack of Reproductive Autonomy: In many societies, women have limited control over their reproductive choices, including decisions about family planning and childbirth. 

6. Political Underrepresentation: 

• Barriers to Political Participation: Women face various obstacles to political participation, including discriminatory laws, social norms, and lack of access to funding and resources. 

7. Media Representation: 

• Stereotypical Portrayals: The media often perpetuates stereotypical images of women, reinforcing harmful gender roles and limiting their representation as leaders and professionals. 

Time magazine included Kardashian on their list of 2015’s 100 most influential people. She was named among Fortune magazine’s Most Powerful Women in the world in 2023. Despite her being constantly backlashed and judged, she deserved that recognition. Heck, she even deserves this recognition for THIS year. In a world that constantly limits women and tells them to be less than they’re worth, she proved doubters wrong, and even when she was mocked and laughed at by the entire world, she did whatever she wanted to do; whatever she aspired to do. But it’s also not that she doesn’t listen to the backlash and not tries to improve on herself thereafter. She does.

In a 2022 interview segment for a Variety profile with the rest of her family, Kardashian boldly told women to ‘get your f—ing ass up and work.’ This didn’t sit well with women. She later publicly apologized for her insensitive remarks on Good Morning America, and in an episode of The Kardashians, she further elaborated, ‘There’s just been so much going on because of that Variety interview. I said what I said about people working. Do I believe in that? Yes, I believe that you have to work hard in order to do that. But I was just so blindsided by how angry people got. Enough people were triggered, so I want to be responsible and understanding [of] why people feel the way they do, and I do understand that a lot of people weren’t given the same opportunities as us.’

I could absolutely understand everyone’s frustration, and I was so glad that Kardashians herself didn’t just ignore the fact that her comments were hurtful to some. But nevertheless, she did have a point. To be more precise, she said this: ‘I have the best advice for women in business. Get your f—— ass up and work. It seems like nobody wants to work these days.’ A lot of people, women in particular took offence to her words. Responses included, ‘Kim Kardashian telling women in business to get their asses up and work the day after International Womens Day has to be the biggest joke of the year,’ ‘the question of whether Kim works hard is irrelevant. jobs often require hard work to do them well, whatever they may be. it’s the assumption that women in business seeking advice aren’t doing that lol (which is what the question was.),’ and ‘When a person who hasn’t experienced poverty gives you patronizing advice on how to get out of poverty.’

No one’s denying that Kardashian came from privilege. Not only was her father a renowned lawyer, but her stepfather was Bruce Jenner, now known as Caitlyn Jenner, retired Olympic gold medal-winning decathlete. She set a third successive world record and gaining fame as “an all-American hero” at the 1976 Summer Olympics in Montreal. Though it may seem that Kardashian’s mother, Kris Jenner, was always the business mogul that she is now, she wasn’t. She started her career as a flight attendant in her younger years, and was a homemaker while married to Robert Kardashian. Throughout her career in television, she’s demonstrated a keen ability to seek out opportunities and diversify the family’s ventures, ensuring they remain at the forefront of pop culture and business success. From the inception of Keeping Up With the Kardashians, Jenner understood the power of reality television and celebrity branding like no other. She unforgettably said of Kim’s sex tape being made public, ‘As a mother I wanted to kill her, but as her manager…’ Jenner’s career now, which she started at the age of 51, is multifaceted, encompassing roles as a television personality, businesswoman, and talent manager. On top of her producing her family’s reality shows, she manages the business ventures of ALL her children, earning her the nickname ‘momager”. She also runs her own production company, Jenner Communications. To break things down more thoroughly:

• Reality Television: Kris Jenner played a central role in launching and producing Keeping Up with the Kardashians, which catapulted her family to international fame. She continues to be involved in the sequel series, The Kardashians.
• “Momager”: Jenner is widely recognized for her role in managing her children’s careers and business ventures, coining the term “momager” to describe her unique position. 
• Business Ventures: She has been instrumental in the development and success of various family-related brands, including Kylie Cosmetics, Skims, Good American, and others. 
• Production Company:Jenner runs Jenner Communications, a production company based in Los Angeles, involved in producing various family-related projects and other entertainment content. 
• Author:She has published her autobiography, Kris Jenner… and All Things Kardashian, and a cookbook, In The Kitchen With Kris.
• Past Roles: Before her reality TV fame, Jenner worked as a flight attendant and dabbled in motivational speaking, and had a brief stint in race car driving

In 2023, Kardashian revealed that Jenner felt guilt over pushing her daughters to be the mega-hit superstars that they are today. It’s also, I feel, important to note that she wasted no time in getting the deal for Keeping Up With The Kardashians without even consulting her daughters first. At the time, Kim, Kourtney, Khloe, and Rob (Jenner’s only son) were in their 20’s, and Kendall and Kylie were 9 and 10 at the time the deal with Ryan Seacrest was secured. Once she let them know of the deal, she told them that none of them had to do, but she wanted to.

As we all now know, everyone was on board. In the years since, however, things have shifted. Rob has retreated from the spotlight entirely in recent years as a result of his dislike of fame , as well as severe depression and weight gain, while Kendall has been open about experiencing panic attacks from the age of 10 due to the way she was overworked. Meanwhile, Kourtney and Kylie have expressed their desire to step away from the cameras on several occasions. While the 5 sisters all star on The Kardashians, their latest Hulu reality series that replaced Keeping Up,it’s Kim and Khloe that are mostly carrying the show.

Jenner’s children had faced much scrutiny in the almost 2 decades since they’ve been in the limelight, and there’s no denying it. They became harsh criticism time and time again. Khloé has faced mockery and judgment from the public over her decisions to forgive Tristan Thompson after his cheating scandals, as well as her fluctuating weight. Kourtney repeatedly had to deal with cruel speculation that she was pregnant when she was trying for a baby with her husband Travis Barker. Kim was mocked for mocked for her 72-day marriage to Kris Humphries back in 2011. In an episode of The Kardashians, she admitted to Scott Disick, Kourtney’s ex and father to her 3 older kids, that she sometimes wondered what life would look like had she not had cameras rolling on her every move.

You can never dwell on the past and what’s already been done. You can, however, make something of it and use it to your advantage. This is exactly what ALL of the Kardashians did. Kim, in particular, has no plans to slow down finding opportunities everywhere she goes; even in her mid-40’s. Not only is she set to become a lawyer just like her father, but she also started a career in acting in her 40’s. Contrary to, quite literally, everyone’s belief, Kim Kardashian’s career prospect is actually aspirational. She’s a role model to women everywhere. Many ask, ‘But what does Kim Kardashian ACTUALLY do?’ The answer – She raises four children, she’s a fashion icon, she oversees a billion-dollar empire, she acts, and she gets under-privileged, non-violent people left rotting in jail out – what do you do?

There’s a heck of a lot we can all take away from Kardashian, whether we like it or not. She’s somehow become the Marilyn Monroe of the 21st century; even better. Her career offers several valuable lessons in entrepreneurship, branding, and navigating public perception. We can learn about building a successful brand, leveraging personal influence, adapting to changing trends, and the importance of hard work. She also demonstrates how to spin negative attention into positive outcomes and the value of passion-driven endeavors like her criminal justice reform work. To put more emphasis on it:

Entrepreneurship and Branding: 

• Building a Brand: Kim Kardashian has built a powerful brand around her personal image and lifestyle. This brand has been instrumental in the success of her various ventures, including her makeup line KKW Beauty (now part of SKIMS) and shapewear line SKIMS. 
• Leveraging Personal Influence: She’s adept at using her large social media following (hundreds of millions across platforms) to promote her products and connect with consumers. This demonstrates the power of personal influence in the modern marketplace. 
• Adapting to Change: Kim Kardashian’s career has seen her evolve from reality TV star to businesswoman, lawyer, and advocate. This adaptability showcases the need to embrace change and pivot when necessary to stay relevant and successful. 
• Hard Work and Calculated Risks: Despite her fame, Kim Kardashian has consistently demonstrated a strong work ethic and willingness to take calculated risks to achieve her goals. 

Beyond Business: 

• Spinning Negative Publicity: She’s shown an ability to navigate negative publicity and even turn it to her advantage. This involves addressing concerns, engaging with critics, and demonstrating a willingness to learn and grow. 
• Passion-Driven Initiatives: Kim Kardashian’s work in criminal justice reform demonstrates the power of pursuing causes that are personally meaningful. Her advocacy, including working to secure pardons and commutations for individuals she believes have been wrongfully convicted, highlights the impact of combining personal influence with a genuine desire for change. 
• Confidence and Self-Love: While often portrayed as a superficial figure, Kim Kardashian has also shared messages about self-acceptance and confidence, emphasizing the importance of inner strength and self-love. 

Kardashians once said, ‘You can say a lot of things about me, but you cannot say I don’t work hard. I don’t sing. I don’t dance. I don’t act (she does now). But I am not lazy.’ And it’s true. No one can EVER say that she’s lazy. The most truest thing about her is that she doesn’t limit herself, no matter how much society will try to do it for her. It all goes back to Megan Fox’s quote. Shall we recount it again in case we forgot? She said, ‘Please stop listening to the patriarchy. Women are eternal light beings. Women don’t have an expiration date. Don’t let them take your power from you.’ Kardashian didn’t need Megan Fox to tell her this, or even remind her of this. She just sees herself as an internal being; someone who can’t ever be backed down – always did, always has, and always will.