Brady Collins
In 2018, Kat Von D, a famous tattoo artist, makeup artist, and entrepreneur, posted on Instagram that she would not be vaccinating her unborn son. This sparked a lot of controversy, with many people boycotting her beauty brand and calling her an anti-vaxxer. Von D later claimed that she was uninformed and completely thoughtless when she made the post and that she is not an anti-vaxxer. She also stated that she was deep in the trenches with lawyer stuff a year prior to the scandal, which was the real reason for her departure from her namesake beauty brand.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Anti-vaccination stance | Refusal to vaccinate her son |
| Reasoning | "Uninformed" at the time of her statement |
| Public reaction | Criticism, boycotts of her beauty brand, and claims of promoting a damaging narrative |
| Impact on brand | Loss of trust and purchases, leading to her departure from the company |
| Personal consequences | Backlash, hate, and controversy |
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What You'll Learn
Kat Von D's 2018 Instagram post about not vaccinating her child
In June 2018, Kat Von D posted on Instagram that she would not be vaccinating her unborn child. The post included a photo of her baby bump, with the caption:
> "This is my body. This is our child. And this is our pregnancy journey." I knew the minute we announced our pregnancy that we would be bombarded with unsolicited advice. Some good and some questionable — unsolicited none the less. I also was prepared for the backlash and criticism we would get if we decided to be open about our personal approach to our pregnancy. My own father flipped out on me when I told him we decided to ditch our doctor and go with a midwife instead. I already know what it’s like to make life choices that are not the same as the majority. So your negative comments are not going [to] influence my choices — actual research and educating myself will, which I am diligently doing."
The post sparked backlash and criticism, with many people boycotting her beauty brand. Some people commented that her views against vaccines were dangerous, especially given her influence in the beauty and cosmetics industry, and that she was relying on herd immunity to keep her child safe. In response to the backlash, Von D stated that she was “completely uninformed" at the time of the post and that she is not an anti-vaxxer "at all". She also denied that the criticism had anything to do with her decision to step away from her beauty brand.
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The public's reaction to her post
Kat Von D faced a strong backlash from the public after her Instagram post in June 2018, in which she stated that she wouldn't vaccinate her unborn child. Many of her fans were outraged and disappointed by her stance, with some even boycotting her beauty brand and calling her out for risking her child's safety and that of others. Some fans expressed their intention to stop purchasing her products and even donate the money they would have spent on her cosmetics to organisations promoting vaccination in lower-income countries.
The controversy surrounding her post also led to criticism of her personal choices, such as her decision to have a natural, drug-free home birth with a midwife and doula instead of a doctor. Von D anticipated some of this backlash, as she mentioned in her initial post that she expected to receive unsolicited advice and criticism for her pregnancy choices.
The public's reaction to Von D's post also included concerns about the potential impact of her anti-vaccination stance on her followers. As a public figure with a large influence in the beauty and cosmetics industry, some people worried that her views could encourage others to avoid vaccinations, putting vulnerable individuals at risk. This concern extended to the potential erosion of herd immunity, which protects those with weak immune systems, including infants, the elderly, and those with allergies or undergoing medical treatments.
In response to the backlash, Von D denied being an anti-vaxxer and clarified that she and her husband had hesitancies and valid concerns about specific chemicals and toxins in vaccines. She emphasised that their decision was a personal one and that they were consulting with a paediatrician for guidance. However, some people remained critical of her initial statement and its potential influence on public health.
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Kat Von D's response to the backlash
In June 2018, Kat Von D posted on Instagram that she wouldn't vaccinate her unborn son. She also mentioned her plans for a natural, drug-free home birth and that she intended to raise her child as a vegan. This sparked a huge backlash, with many accusing her of being irresponsible and promoting a damaging narrative. Some even called for a boycott of her beauty brand.
Von D responded to the backlash in an interview with the Los Angeles Times in March 2020. She denied being an anti-vaxxer, stating that she was completely uninformed at the time of her Instagram post. She also clarified that her departure from her namesake beauty brand was not due to the controversy but was instead related to legal issues and her desire to focus on other projects.
Von D acknowledged the ongoing criticism she received and addressed her right to medical privacy and online harassment. She also asserted her belief in the power of social media and her responsibility as a celebrity to use her platform for good and to educate herself and her followers.
In the wake of the backlash, Von D sold her shares of her beauty brand to Kendo, her partners for the past 11 years. The brand was subsequently rebranded as KVD Vegan Beauty. Von D stated that she wanted the makeup line to continue thriving and growing, and she believed Kendo was best positioned to achieve that.
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The impact of her statement on her makeup brand
Kat Von D, the celebrity tattoo artist-turned-makeup mogul, became the centre of attention in 2018 when she announced on Instagram that she did not plan on vaccinating her unborn son. She also mentioned that she intended to raise her child as a vegan. This statement led to a huge backlash from her followers, with many threatening to boycott her makeup brand, Kat Von D Beauty.
Some people on Twitter and Instagram expressed their disappointment and said that they would no longer purchase her products. They also asked LVMH to end its relationship with the brand. Many people criticised her for spreading misinformation and being irresponsible by advocating her views to her millions of followers. Some people also pointed out that her views could negatively impact vulnerable groups, such as infants and the elderly, who are unable to get vaccinated.
In response to the backlash, Kat Von D asserted her right to medical privacy and complained about online harassment. She also stated that she was “completely uninformed" at the time of her initial statement and that she was not an anti-vaxxer "at all". She later sold her shares of the brand to Kendo, her partners for the past 11 years, and the brand was rebranded as KvD Vegan Beauty.
The impact of Kat Von D's statement on her makeup brand was significant, with a loss of customers and a public relations crisis. The brand had to navigate a challenging situation and work to rebuild trust with its audience. The controversy also brought attention to the role of influencers and celebrities in spreading misinformation and the potential consequences of their actions on public health.
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The accuracy of her anti-vaxxer title
In June 2018, Kat Von D, whose real name is Katherine von Drachenberg, posted on Instagram that she did not plan to vaccinate her unborn son. She also mentioned that she intended to have a natural, drug-free home birth with a midwife and doula and raise her child as a vegan. This sparked a lot of backlash and criticism, with many people boycotting her beauty brand and expressing their dismay on Twitter. Some people even claimed that they were directing hate towards her and her family.
In response to the controversy, Kat Von D has since stated that she is not an anti-vaxxer "at all". She claims that she was completely uninformed and thoughtless at the time of her Instagram post and that the anti-vaxxer title is inaccurate. Kat Von D has also sold her namesake makeup brand and is no longer involved in any capacity, with the brand now being known as KvD Vegan Beauty.
While Kat Von D has attempted to clarify her stance and distance herself from the anti-vaxxer label, her initial statement about not vaccinating her child contradicts public health advice and has potentially dangerous implications. Vaccinations are recommended by doctors and health organizations to prevent the resurgence of illnesses that have been previously eradicated. Skipping vaccinations can compromise herd immunity, which protects those with weak immune systems, including babies, the elderly, and those allergic to certain vaccines or undergoing intense medical treatments.
Therefore, while Kat Von D may not self-identify as an anti-vaxxer, her public statement about refusing to vaccinate her child aligns with anti-vaccination beliefs and has contributed to the spread of a damaging narrative about the dangers of vaccines. Her influence as a public figure in the beauty and cosmetics industry has likely influenced others to question the safety and importance of vaccinations, which could have significant public health consequences.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes. In a 2018 Instagram post, Kat Von D said she wouldn't vaccinate her unborn son.
Yes. Many people criticised her comments and said they would boycott her beauty brand.
No. Kat Von D has since said she is not an anti-vaxxer and that she was completely uninformed when she made the comments.
