Kim Kardashian’s Advocacy for the Menéndez Brothers Splits Fans

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Though Ryan Murphy‘s new Netflix series Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menéndez Story has proven polarizing among viewers, it has reignited interest in the real-life case of the Menéndez brothers. One of the viewers is megainfluencer and reality television icon Kim Kardashian, who has been working to become a lawyer since 2018.

In an essay penned for NBC News, Kardashian, 43, advocated for the release of the Menéndez brothers, who have been incarcerated for 34 years. Brothers Lyle, 56, and Erik, 53, were indicted for the 1989 murders of their parents José and Mary Louise “Kitty” Menéndez in 1992, and were convicted of the murders in 1996. The Menéndez brothers claim they were driven to the murders of the parents, alleging years of sexual, emotional, and physical abuse.

She revealed she has visited the Menéndez brothers in prison, and noted their transformations as they’ve been behind bars.

“I have spent time with Lyle and Erik; they are not monsters,” Kardashian wrote. “They are kind, intelligent, and honest men. In prison, they both have exemplary disciplinary records. They have earned multiple college degrees, worked as caregivers for elderly incarcerated individuals in hospice, and been mentors in college programs — committed to giving back to others.”

While many are praising Kardashian for her support of the brothers, others have expressed disappointment over the fact that she didn’t advocate for the release or pardoning of Marcellus Williams, who was executed by lethal injection on Tuesday, September 26, despite pleas from prosecutors and members of Williams’ family.

“Kim Kardashian wrote a whole thesis end of the term paper/ MLA FORMATED essay to demand the Menéndez boys to be freed. When asked for help about an innocent male named Marcellus before his execution she was radio silent.. hmm interesting,” said one user on X (formerly Twitter).

“Kim has finally spoken out about the Menéndez Brothers!!! I wish she would’ve done this for Marcellus Williams… But im glad she finally spoke out for them,” said another.

“Kim Kardashian is campaigning on behalf of Menéndez brothers. Okay, that’s good,” said another user. “But just last week, two Black men who maintained their total innocence until the very end were executed in MS and OK. People tagged her incessantly, and she said absolutely nothing about it.”

Another person accused Kardashian of clinging onto the story of the Menéndez brothers for the purpose of pulling in publicity for her own reality show, The Kardashians on Hulu.

“Kim Kardashian suddenly shows interest in Lyle and Erik Menéndez case after the show became #1 on Netflix worldwide while her family’s reality show reboot hit rock bottom,” they said. “crazy how some people, no matter how famous they are, can’t stop seeking attention and clinging to relevancy.”

It is worth noting that Kim Kardashian recently had a starring role on the 12th season of Murphy’s horror anthology series American Horror Story, which was tilted Delicate. She is also set to play a divorce attorney in Murphy’s upcoming series All’s Fair, which is centered around an all-women law firm.

Murphy, however, recently revealed to The Hollywood Reporter that he has not met or spoken with the Menéndez brothers, however, he has insisted that he deserves credit for reigniting interest in the case.

“The Menéndez brothers should be sending me flowers,” Murphy said. “They haven’t had so much attention in 30 years. And it’s gotten the attention of not only this country, but all over the world. There’s sort of an outpouring of interest in their lives and in the case.”

Since pursuing law, Kardashian has experienced several victories, including the release of Alice Johnson in 2018, after Kardashian had met with then-president Donald Trump to ask him to commute Johnson’s life sentence for a first-time, nonviolent drug offense.

She also helped free another low-level drug offender named Jeffrey in Miami in 2019.

Additionally, Kardashian has partnered with rideshare giant Lyft to launch a program to provide free rides for newly released inmates.

Erik and Lyle are set to appear in court once again on Friday, November 29, as new evidence has emerged — including a letter Erik wrote to his cousin, Andy Cano, in which he claimed to be the victim of molestation by José about eight months before the murder. A member of the band Menudo also claimed to have been molested by José.

If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673) or go to https://www.rainn.org/