Kim Kardashian visits Menendez brothers, stirs controversy on reform

Kim Kardashian is an American celebrity, model, and television personality. She was born on 21 October 1980 in Los Angeles. She is one of the most recognisable and influential figures in pop culture. She gained fame primarily through the reality show "Keeping Up with the Kardashians," which tells the story of her family's life. The show became a global phenomenon and opened the door for Kim to many other business projects.

Kardashian has built a mighty empire, including the cosmetics brand KKW Beauty, the lingerie company SKIMS, and her activities on social media, where she has gathered millions of fans. She is also known for her involvement in legal matters, particularly in the field of justice system reform in the United States.

On 19 September, the series "Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story," premiered. The nine-episode production by Ryan Murphy has caused a significant amount of controversy among fans of intense cinema. The material is based on the true story of the titular brothers, who planned and committed the murder of their parents. Their family situation was unique and noticeably impacted their behaviour later in life. The crime resulted in them being sentenced to life imprisonment. However, new evidence surfaced in 2024 that could lead to their exoneration or a reduction of their sentences.

Comparing the Menendez brothers to monsters has caused quite a stir among the public. Many are disgusted by the way their story is portrayed. On Instagram, people write: "Now a question, whom are you calling monsters? In this case, it's rather the parents! The mother was also very disturbed. She could have not given birth or given them up for adoption." "Horrible story, poor boys," "Children who were harmed were called 'monsters,' what a horror." The brothers themselves believe that the series is heavily exaggerated, and the atmosphere created in the production completely misses the reality.

Kim Kardashian has long been an advocate for justice system reform in the United States. According to reports from TMZ, just after the series premiere, she, along with her sister Khloe, mother, film producer Scott Budnick, and the actor who played the role of Erik Menendez in the series, went to the Richard J. Donovan Correctional Facility in San Diego County. It is there that the Menendez brothers are serving their sentences.

During the meeting, they spoke with Lyle and Erik Menendez and about 40 other inmates. Kim discussed the aforementioned prison reform and the Greenspace project with them. The initiative encourages rehabilitation by beautifying prison courtyards.