Ellen Faces criticism after she scares Kim Kardashian with a spider prank on the show
3 min read
Kim Kardashian had to face her arachnophobia during an interview on The Ellen DeGeneres Show on Wednesday, April 13. On the talk show, Ellen DeGeneres alluded to Kardashian’s fear of spiders as the SKIMS creator discussed her Vogue cover and best memories.
When DeGeneres mentioned spiders, Kardashian appeared to be terrified. She turned down the host’s offer to help her “overcome her phobia.”
Regardless, Ellen DeGeneres picked up a plastic box containing arachnids a few moments later. She eventually confessed, however, that the spiders were a hoax. DeGeneres floundered and walked off-stage, waving farewell to the crowd, while she flung the spiders at Kardashian.
The effort by Ellen to terrify Kim Kardashian with spiders was widely panned
This isn’t the first time the comedian and talk show host has been chastised for pranking an audience member on her show. Taylor Swift was startled in her bathroom by the 64-year-old in 2009. The Shake It Off singer collapsed to the floor.
After Ellen DeGeneres’ recent prank on Kim Kardashian, a slew of internet users weighed in on the situation. Several tweets supported Kardashian’s decision to leave the stage after the prank.
One user tagged Kim Kardashian and The Ellen Show, asking, “Why do you think it’s funny to torture others with their anxieties for your entertainment?”. I didn’t find this amusing; in fact, I felt sorry for you. Improve your performance.
Another person said, “I’m not a fan of either celebrity. But here’s the thing: if this happened in a kids’ school, the child who did what Ellen did would be called up and sent off for discipline.”
Another user remarked that the headline should be “Too Easy to Bully.” “Shame on you for thinking this was ok”.
Others, meanwhile, criticized DeGeneres for insisting on continuing the hoax despite Kardashian’s repeated “no” responses. Several tweets also voiced dissatisfaction with the talk show host’s dismissive attitude toward guests’ phobias.
It’s too easy. @KimKardashian🕷 pic.twitter.com/mUelLRn07F
— Ellen DeGeneres (@TheEllenShow) April 13, 2022
Kim Kardashian’s public arachnophobia history
Kardashian discovered a tarantula infestation at her home in 2019 and shared her terrifying experience on Instagram stories. “I won’t be able to sleep tonight knowing this was in my garage,” she captioned a photo of three tarantulas she discovered in her garage.
The socialite also stated that she paid a pet store staffer $100 to persuade her daughter North not to want to keep a tarantula as a pet. Kim Kardashian also put an end to North West’s spider fixation by falsely stating that tarantula bites killed youngsters at a school.
Later in the year, during her Halloween celebration, Kardashian attempted to overcome her arachnophobia. Her family dressed up as spiders and decorated their home with arachnid-themed décor.
Given her previous experiences with arachnids, Kim Kardashian’s reaction to Ellen DeGeneres’ joke is reasonable.
😭😭💔why do people force to get over our fears, I mean facing em doesn't always help to get over our fear for em
But I love you Ellen and Kim— 💙Funii! (@PrideMat012) April 13, 2022Advertisement
Why do you think It’s funny to torture others with their fears for your entertainment? I did not find this funny, I felt second hand embarrassment for you. Do better.
— Shauna Wilimzig (@shaunax3michele) April 14, 2022
My spider phobia is beyond "scary." I will literally panic to the point where I will lose the ability to move. I once saw a large spider in the bathtub, my bladder emptied on the spot. Imagine this happening to someone on television? The humiliation would follow them forever.
— Catfight T.W. (@TWohland) April 14, 2022
Fear brings on anxiety and stress which may bring on seizures. Ellen has no right to try to scare Kim Kardashian when she knew that she is deathly afraid of spiders. Is she a Therapist? That was not funny at all. Phobias are nothing to joke about!
— Marie Montina (@MarieMontina2) April 15, 2022
Ankita Khanrah
Ankita Khanrah is a second-year student of the Master of Communication and Journalism (Integrated) programme at the School of Mass Communication, KIIT Deemed University, Bhubaneswar.
