Costa Rica — What was meant to be a picture-perfect family vacation quickly spiraled into a global PR firestorm for Kim Kardashian. In the midst of sun, sand, and family bonding, Kim’s highly anticipated shapewear brand “Kimono” unleashed a tidal wave of backlash, forcing the reality star and business mogul to confront accusations of cultural appropriation—all while trying to juggle motherhood, business, and a much-needed escape from LA.

A Dream Vacation, Interrupted

For Kim, the trip to Costa Rica was supposed to be all about family. North, her eldest daughter, had been begging to return ever since their last visit. “North has not stopped talking about it,” Kim shared. “She loved it and keeps saying, ‘Mom, when I’m big, I’m moving to Costa Rica!’” With Kanye’s schedule finally aligning, Kim planned a tropical getaway with the kids, Kourtney, Scott, and their friends.

But the reality of being a working mom hit hard. “It can be really challenging to figure out work life and mom life, especially with four kids,” Kim admitted. Even as she tried to focus on family, business was never far behind. Her new shapewear line—years in the making—was about to launch. The brand’s name: “Kimono.”

The Calm Before the Storm

Before leaving for Costa Rica, Kim was deep in brainstorming sessions for the launch. The campaign would feature infomercial-style ads, a nod to Kris Jenner’s own history as a commercial queen. “I just thought to launch the brand with an infomercial vibe would be so funny,” Kim explained, imagining her sisters and mom hamming it up for the cameras.

With the photo shoots scheduled, Kim was nervous about being away. “I always oversee every creative detail in my businesses, so I’m getting a little nervous,” she confessed. But she pressed on, trusting her team and family to handle things back in LA.

Vacation Mode—Sort Of

Once in Costa Rica, Kim did her best to unplug. North was thrilled, and Kim tried to soak up every moment. “I just want to enjoy this time on the boat with the kids,” she said, even as she squeezed in work calls and tried to balance the endless demands of her empire.

Meanwhile, back in LA, the “Kimono” shoot was in full swing. Khloé, Kylie, and Kris donned shapewear, danced to “Baby Shark,” and ad-libbed their way through commercial takes. “So this is what Kim wants,” Khloé laughed. “They have me dancing to Baby Shark, sucking on a lollipop, and wearing kimono. What is going on here?”

But Kim’s absence was felt. “We can’t get a hold of Kim,” Kris said, exasperated. “She’s in Costa Rica, and we’re not exactly sure what we’re supposed to be doing.” The shoot devolved into chaos and laughter, with Lisa Rinna and Kyle Richards joining the fun. “If you’re not here to tell us what to do, we’re going to do our thing!” they joked.

The Backlash Begins

As the family enjoyed their last night in Costa Rica, the mood shifted. News broke online: Kim Kardashian had been accused of cultural appropriation for naming her shapewear line “Kimono,” a word deeply significant in Japanese culture. Headlines exploded: “Kim Kardashian has caused an uproar… Kardashian has been accused of appropriating the Japanese culture.”

Social media erupted in outrage, with critics slamming Kim for disrespecting centuries-old tradition. Hashtags trended worldwide. Japanese officials and cultural experts weighed in, demanding an apology and a name change.

Kim’s Dilemma: Mom, Mogul, and Media Target

Caught between her roles as mother, entrepreneur, and global celebrity, Kim faced the crisis head-on. “It’s really hard to take a break, and when I do no one lets me have a break,” Kim lamented. “Everyone’s calling me from set and Kylie’s trying to call me about the shoot, but this trip was planned for a really long time.”

As the controversy grew, Kim was forced to reflect on the limits of her control. “I’m at a point in my life where this will be a constant struggle and a challenge, and I’m not going to be able to oversee every last creative detail in my businesses,” she admitted. “At the end of the day, if the kids had a good time, then that’s all that matters.”

Back Home, the Fallout Continues

Returning to LA, Kim was greeted by a flurry of questions—not just from the press, but from her own family. “You weren’t even at the shapewear shoot with my girlfriends,” Kris reminded her. “It was a hot mess for a minute… I get that you wanted to get away, but somebody’s got to run the show.”

Kim tried to defend herself, but the stress was obvious. “When I’m on vacation, it’s like we’re out of the country, on a different time zone… It’s horrible. Don’t you think I’m scared to death to go on vacation?” she asked. The pressure of being a global brand and a present mother was taking its toll.

A Lesson in Humility and Growth

Despite the chaos, Kim pressed on. The final “Kimono” campaign shoot went ahead, with Kim back in control, directing every detail. But the controversy could not be ignored. Kim was forced to address the backlash publicly, ultimately apologizing and announcing she would change the brand’s name.

“I never meant to disrespect any culture,” Kim said in a statement. “After careful thought and consideration, I will be launching my solutionwear brand under a new name. I appreciate and respect the feedback I have received from the community.”

The Takeaway

The Costa Rica trip was supposed to be an escape—a chance for Kim to reconnect with her family and celebrate her daughter’s happiness. Instead, it became a lesson in the double-edged sword of fame. For Kim Kardashian, every move is scrutinized, every decision a potential headline.

But if there’s one thing the Kardashians have mastered, it’s resilience. Kim’s willingness to listen, apologize, and adapt shows a new side of the reality star: not just an influencer, but a woman learning in real time how to navigate the complicated intersection of culture, business, and family.

As Kim herself put it, “There’s always going to be a lot going on… I’m just trying to have a minute.” For the world’s most famous family, even paradise comes with a price.

Stay tuned for more Kardashian drama and exclusive updates, only on Keeping Up With the Kardashians.