Dubai: After two days of following their favourite reality star around the city through her tweets and media coverage, Kim Kardashian’s UAE fans finally got their chance to see her in the flesh on Friday.
The reality star had several hundred people queuing from mid-afternoon next to the aquarium at Dubai Mall, calling out “we want Kim” and eager to catch a glimpse of her as she opened a Millions of Milkshakes outlet.
Although expected at 6.30pm, it was closer to 8pm when she walked in, wearing a spectacular red gown and waving to fans, who went wild. While the fans had been waiting, the mood had become intense, with some people being stomped on and at least one young fan taken out by medics.
Kardashian then proceeded to mix a signature milkshake containing strawberries and pineapple, alongside her mother, Kris Jenner, who has accompanied her throughout the trip, including during an abaya shopping trip in Dubai’s souqs on Thursday. She then spoke to some of her young fans, telling them, “thanks so much for coming,” before walking to the Fashion Catwalk area for a live question and answer session.
Open adulation
Friday’s crowd — which mostly consisted of young fans of her E! shows Keeping Up With The Kardashians and Kourtney and Kim Take New York — included Saif, 16, from the UAE. “She’s a celebrity [so] I gotta come! I respect her, she’s a businesswoman, she’s got it all. I watch her show.”
Saif and his two friends had t-shirts with the message “We love Kim Kardashian” printed for the occasion.
“I love her fashion and everything about her,” said Karina, 24, from Australia. “I think she’s a great role model. I don’t really care for her critics.”
Older shoppers seemed more bemused than fanatical, with many admitting they had no idea who Kardashian was. Lena from Denmark told Gulf News, “I don’t see the big deal about her”, while all that Briton Zak could muster up on her was, “I heard she dated Cristiano Ronaldo and posed for Playboy.”
In a press conference on Thursday, Kardashian revealed she’s thinking of opening a Kardashian hotel in Dubai. The multi-brand star — who also runs a fashion chain in the US — is set to meet fans at an event promoting her perfume at Dubai Mall on Saturday evening, before visiting Abu Dhabi and leaving the UAE on Sunday.
