Kim Kardashian was almost unrecognisable as she attended the 2025 Academy Museum Gala in Los Angeles, California, on Saturday, October 18, in a nude look that covered her entire face
Reality TV star and wealthy businesswoman Kim Kardashian uttered an eight-word panicked plea after losing her composure at the 2025 Academy Museum Gala on 18 October, a lipreader has revealed.
The 44-year-old mum-of-four was virtually unrecognisable as she attended the event in Los Angeles, California, wearing a Maison Margiela couture nude ensemble that featured a mask covering her entire face.
Despite arriving in her head-turning faceless outfit, which left fans unsettled, Kardashian disclosed that she was still in a full face of glam makeup underneath.
However, regardless of whether she had a complete face of makeup beneath the peculiar nude drape or not, Kardashian struggled to see where she was walking and nearly tumbled onto her covered face.
Lipreader Nicola Hickling examined a clip shared to People’s Instagram account showing Kardashian being assisted into the event, with an escort holding up her nude gown whilst she flailed her arms attempting not to fall.
Hickling told the Mirror: “Using advanced video enhancement software, I analyzed the footage frame by frame and isolated Kim Kardashian’s speech patterns beneath her mask allowing me to confidently determine what she said to her assistant.”
Hickling proceeded to reveal, “Kim appears visibly unsettled, she waves her hands in disbelief and shakes her head before insisting, ‘Don’t let go, I can’t see a thing.’
“She seems momentarily panicked and unsteady. Her assistant stays calm and supportive, replying, ‘Don’t worry, I’ve got you. I’ll lead you, just hold onto my hand.'”
The lipreader went on to say, “Kim regains her composure and together they begin to walk away with more confidence.” However, Kardashian left her supporters feeling unsettled by the peculiar ensemble.
She completed the look with a multi-layered crystal-embellished choker necklace featuring emerald jewels and cross pendants, along with a matching ring.
She shared a video of herself making light of her masked appearance before the gala. In the clip, she asked her makeup artist, Mario Dedivanoic, “Mario, do I look okay? The make-up?”
He jokingly replied, “Your make-up looks amazing, yes.” Kardashian then said, “It’s good? All that hard work guys. I feel like I always do this to Mario, though.”
Whilst some people described the look as “interesting” and one fan called Kim “next level fabulous,” others weren’t particularly impressed with her sartorial choice.
Several even noted that the outfit brought to mind her completely covered ensemble she wore whilst attending the 2021 Met Gala with her former husband, Kanye West.
At the 2021 Met Gala, Kardashian donned a black mask that obscured both her face and head as part of a Balenciaga outfit. Reacting to the star’s appearance from Saturday evening, a fan wrote on X, “You can still see the Kanye in her.”
“Was she styled by Kanye?” one queried, while another commented, “She misses Kanye I see… Because this is ridiculous.”
Another added, “She looks ridiculous. Must be a leftover from crazy Kanye.” A different user tweeted, “How does she breathe?”
One individual remarked, “This is what happens when the plastic surgery doesn’t heal in time for the event lol.”
Another user questioned, “Why are celebrities so weird? Like they don’t know how to just be normal people.”
Her appearance at the event occurred a day after the Skims founder and her family joined Kylie Jenner in celebrating the 10th anniversary of her makeup company, Kylie Cosmetics, at a pop-up event. Jenner and Kardashian turned heads in matching, figure-hugging latex dresses.