Nepo Baby Drama: Kit Keenan's Fashion Week Walk Draws Mixed Reactions
Cynthia Rowley's Darling Daughter Kit Keenan Steals the Spotlight (and Then Some) at New York Fashion Week
In a shocking turn of events, Kit Keenan, the 26-year-old daughter of fashion icon Cynthia Rowley, has been roasted on social media for her catwalk debut at her mother's New York Fashion Week runway show. The self-proclaimed "Young Martha Stewart stuck in Blair Waldorf's plotline" donned a mini black dress, covered in dazzling engagement rings, and strutted her stuff through Wagner Park to mixed reviews.
Keenan, who is known for sharing her home-cooked meals online and made headlines for appearing on season 25 of The Bachelor, seemed nervous but determined as she walked in front of the audience, which was treated to the stunning views of the Hudson River and the city's skyline. Wearing black high heels and flashing a subtle smile, Keenan admitted to Elle Magazine that she was "so nervous" when walking the runway for the first time.
But her supportive mother, Cynthia Rowley, came to her defense, saying her daughter is a natural in fashion modeling. "I didn't have to coach her on anything," Rowley revealed. "Because guess what? She's been at every runway show since before she was born. She's been observing and she killed it." However, not everyone shared the designer's enthusiasm for her daughter's performance.
Social media users were quick to pounce on Keenan's catwalk debut, with many criticizing her walk as stiff or too fast. Some joked that she looked like Blair Waldorf in a Gossip Girl photo shoot, while others compared her stride to how they walk when they're high (as in, stoned). One user even went so far as to call Keenan the "Nepo baby final boss" – a tongue-in-cheek reference to her privileged upbringing.
But not all comments were mean-spirited. Some viewers defended Keenan, saying she was simply nervous and that her walk looked different from the other models' because of her shorter stature (she's 5'4"). Keenan herself took to TikTok after the show, writing about experiencing "imposter syndrome" and joking about being a fashion enthusiast who's still learning.
The criticism didn't deter Keenan's fans, who came out in full force to defend their beloved influencer. One user shared a heartfelt message, saying they love Keenan's semi-homemade recipes and Pilates videos. Another quipped that the comments about her walk were "mean" and that she's still a talented young woman.
The drama surrounding Keenan's catwalk debut raises questions about nepotism in the fashion industry and whether being born into privilege gives one an automatic edge. Cynthia Rowley has been a fixture in New York Fashion Week for decades, but does that mean her daughter should automatically be given a spot on the runway? Thescholarlynote.com explores this controversy and more in our exclusive interview with Kit Keenan.
EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW
We caught up with Kit Keenan to talk about her experience walking the runway for her mother's fashion show. Here's what she had to say:
TSN: Kit, thanks for chatting with us today! How does it feel to have been roasted on social media after your catwalk debut?
Kit Keenan: (laughs) Well, I guess you could say I'm a bit of a lightning rod for criticism! But honestly, I was expecting some backlash. I know not everyone will love me or my walk.
TSN: That's fair. What was going through your mind when you were walking the runway?
Kit Keenan: (giggles) Honestly, I was just trying to breathe and not trip over my own feet! It was a lot of pressure, but my mom has been doing this for so long that I knew I could trust her.
TSN: Your mother, Cynthia Rowley, says you've been observing runway shows since before you were born. Did you ever feel like you had to live up to her expectations?
Kit Keenan: (shudders) Absolutely not! My mom is an amazing designer and entrepreneur, but she's also super supportive. She knows I'm my own person with my own style and talents.
TSN: That's great to hear. What do you think about the criticism you received on social media?
Kit Keenan: (shrugs) Look, people are going to say what they want to say. But at the end of the day, I'm proud of myself for taking a chance and doing something new.
TSN: Last question: what's next for you? Will we see more of Kit Keenan on the runway or on social media?
Kit Keenan: (smirks) Who knows? Maybe I'll stick to cooking videos and leave the modeling to the pros! But one thing's for sure – I'm going to keep on doing me, no matter what.
And there you have it, folks! Kit Keenan may not be a seasoned supermodel just yet, but she's got spirit and sass in spades. Stay tuned for more updates from the world of fashion and beyond – right here on TheScholarlyNote.com!
