Kim Kardashian is making waves this holiday season with her release of the classic Christmas tune, "Santa Baby." This time, Kardashian puts her own sultry spin on the song, originally sung by Eartha Kitt back in 1953, marking her return to music after 13 years. The cover, produced by her brother-in-law Travis Barker and released on December 23, features the Home Alone star Macaulay Culkin dressed as Santa Claus, merging two icons of the holiday season.
Directed by Nadia Lee Cohen and Charlie Denis, the music video follows Kardashian as she crawls through what seems to be a raucous holiday party. Dressed with her trademark style—a blonde bob wig, blue cardigan, pink leg warmers, and high heels—Kardashian finds herself embroiled in bizarre Christmas-themed festivities. The found footage style emphasizes the chaos and peculiarity of the scenes, where party-goers engage in everything from playing Twister to petting reindeer mascots.
The video takes the viewer on a whimsical yet slightly unsettling ride as it shifts from one eclectic scene to the next. Among the many visuals are scantily clad women enjoying themselves at the party, models engaged in odd activities such as trimming Christmas trees with clippers, and even live animals including donkeys and reindeer. One particularly strange scene features Jesus opening up a fridge, adding to the overall surreal experience.
After weaving through the mind-boggling array of festivities, Kardashian finally encounters Culkin, who reveals himself with his signature smirk and old VHS camera, sharply focusing on his unconventional Santa persona. Kardashian’s cover plays softly throughout, showcasing her breathy, understated vocals, fitting seamlessly with the unusual atmosphere of the video.
Interestingly, Kardashian is not new to the music scene. Her previous foray back in 2011 with the single, "Jam (Turn It Up)," received mixed reviews, and Kardashian has since expressed some regret over the endeavor. "We gave the proceeds to a cancer organization... but if there's one thing in life, I wish I didn’t do..." she noted during one interview. Yet, her perspective appears to have softened over time, as she later reflected, "I talked to The-Dream, who wrote it... And I was like, ‘Yeah, I had fun!’" demonstrating her willingness to embrace her musical missteps.
Kardashian's latest effort has not gone unnoticed on social media, as reactions pour in, painting the release as both entertaining and controversial. One Instagram user dramatically commented, "What in the methamphetamine Christmas blasphemy is this," reflecting the video’s surreal undertones. Another chimed in with, "I think I just watched Kim crawl through a crackhouse," commenting on the bizarre imagery, and yet another observer simply stated, "Just because you can, doesn’t mean you should…"—pointing to divisive opinions about the video's artistic direction.
Despite some criticism, Kardashian's sister Kourtney showed her support, stating unequivocally, "I would give it a nine [out of 10], and I’m not kidding... because I was in the studio with her. It was, like, a vibe." This familial endorsement seems to highlight the strength of their bond even within the strange world of Kardashian's music.
The blend of holiday cheer and bizarre visuals may not have followed the traditional path one would expect from a Christmas music video; nevertheless, Kardashian’s take on "Santa Baby" presents her bold personality and willingness to venture outside conventional boundaries. This unexpected release has certainly sparked conversations, and it will be interesting to see how it resonates with audiences as the holiday season progresses.
