Fashion

It Costs $30,000 To "Look Like" Kim K.

by Erin Mayer

No "trend" makes me sadder than the one where normal people spend thousands of dollars to look more like celebrities. The latest is Claire Leeson, who got plastic surgery to look like Kim Kardashian, dropping a whopping $30,000 on the procedure. And now she's in debt, because OF COURSE.

Leeson is a 24-year-old from London who became obsessed with Kanye's better half after watching Keeping Up with the Kardashians. According to BuzzFeed, her fixation blossomed when she learned that she and Kim had the same number of siblings. Mmmmm...kay. In any case, she decided to channel Kimmy K. in her day-to-day life, not simply by dressing like her, changing her name, or dating a man named Kanye. Nope, she instead underwent a ton of expensive procedures, charging each of them on a credit card.

Metro reports that Leeson had breast augmentation surgery alongside a teeth-whitening procedure and that she spent thousands on hair extensions, makeup, spray tans, nails, padding for her butt, as well as shoes and clothes that mimic Kardashian's wardrobe. She eventually plans to expand her bottom by getting fat injected from other parts of her body.

When I get my Kimmy on I feel like I’m unstoppable and untouchable and I feel like no one can stop me and I can make something of myself. I feel strong… and I feel that I have built enough confidence to love myself a little bit more.

The Daily Mail reports that Leeson was bullied for her looks as a teenager and attempted suicide several times throughout adolescence. Her transformation is a direct response to that poor treatment, a way to reclaim herself and feel beautiful. Unfortunately, it's also hurting her financially.

BuzzFeed quotes Leeson as saying, “I work, my job doesn’t pay enough … I’ve used credit cards to pay for everything. I’m in major debt. I say that I’m going to pay them but as soon as money comes in I just think about getting my Kimmy on.” Eep. That is some poor financial planning.

Stories like this one break my heart. Many of the people similar to Leeson, such as Daenerys Targaryen lookalike Lucy Hinsley, report having been bullied for their physical appearance and use the celebrity transformation as a tool for healing. But often it becomes an obsession that drives these women and men to spend far too much money seeking to escape themselves within the body of a celebrity or a fictional character. You can't play dress-up all the time, no matter how much you resemble a famous face, and I wish people like Leeson would realize they are beautiful the way they are.

Images: claireleeson_x/Instagram