If you spent any time on the internet around 2018, you probably remember those bizarre, paparazzi-style photos flooding your feed. It was the Yeezy Season 6 launch. At first glance, you’d swear you were looking at a dozen clones of Kim Kardashian grabbing smoothies or walking to their cars in Calabasas.
One of those women wasn't Kim. It was Lela Star.
The resemblance was so uncanny it basically broke the celebrity gossip corner of the web. People were spiraling, trying to figure out if it was a deepfake, a long-lost sister, or just a really committed fan. Honestly, the story is way more strategic than that. It wasn't just a coincidence; it was a carefully curated moment in pop culture history that blended the worlds of high fashion, reality TV, and the adult film industry in a way that felt kind of surreal.
Why the Lela Star Kim Kardashian Comparison Stuck
Lela Star didn't just wake up one day looking like Kim. Well, maybe she did, but the public didn't really notice until she leaned into the "Kim K concept." Originally starting her career in the mid-2000s, Lela was already a massive name in the adult industry. But after a brief retirement, she came back with a look that was undeniably "Kardashian-esque."
We’re talking about the signature features: the contoured face, the dark hair, and, of course, the physique.
The internet has a habit of finding "clones" for every A-lister. You've got Huda Kattan being called the Middle Eastern Kim, and Kamilla Osman literally appearing on Keeping Up With the Kardashians because the resemblance was so jarring. But Lela Star was different. She didn't just look like Kim in a selfie; she was actually hired by Kanye West to play the role of his wife.
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The Yeezy Season 6 Campaign
This was the turning point. Kanye West has always been a provocateur, and for the Season 6 drop, he bypassed the traditional runway. Instead, he hired a squad of models and influencers—including Paris Hilton and Lela Star—to dress in Yeezy gear and mimic Kim’s daily life.
It was a meta-commentary on fame.
Lela was photographed in the classic Yeezy palette: muted greys, leggings, and those chunky sneakers. Because she already shared similar physical traits with Kim, the styling made her almost indistinguishable from the real thing in those grainier paparazzi-style shots. It was a genius marketing move. It got people talking about Lela Star and Kim Kardashian in the same sentence, which is exactly what a viral campaign is supposed to do.
The "Kardashian Blueprint" in Modern Beauty
There’s a lot of talk on platforms like Reddit about the "Kardashian blueprint." You’ve probably seen the threads. People argue that there’s a specific look—the "dead-eyed, vocal fry" aesthetic—that's become a standard in certain Los Angeles circles.
- Surgical Trends: Many fans point out that both women have the high-volume curves and specific facial structures that became the global beauty standard in the 2010s.
- Styling: The slicked-back "wet" hair and neutral-tone wardrobe play a huge role in why people confuse the two.
- Public Perception: Some critics call it "bootleg Kardashian" styling, but for Lela, it was a career-defining pivot that kept her relevant long after many of her peers had faded from the spotlight.
Lela has been open about her transformations. In an interview with No Jumper, she talked about meeting Kanye and the reality of being compared to one of the most famous women on the planet. She doesn't seem to mind it. In fact, she’s leaned into it. When you’re in an industry that relies on "the look," being compared to the gold standard of 21st-century beauty isn't exactly a bad business move.
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What Most People Get Wrong About the Comparison
A lot of people think Lela Star is just a superfan who spent thousands to look like Kim. That’s a bit of a reach. While she definitely has a similar vibe, she was a star in her own right long before the "Kim K clone" narrative took over.
Is it a coincidence? Sorta.
Is it also a smart branding choice? Absolutely.
The reality is that Lela Star and Kim Kardashian move in completely different circles, but their paths crossed because of the visual language of the 2020s. We live in an era where "the look" is a commodity. Whether it’s Kim herself, Larsa Pippen (who has also faced intense "Kim clone" accusations), or Lela, they are all part of a specific aesthetic era that defines modern celebrity.
The Cultural Impact of the "Lookalike" Phenomenon
Why are we so obsessed with these doppelgängers? It’s probably because it blurs the line between the untouchable celebrity and the rest of us. If a "regular" person (or a star from a different industry) can achieve the same look, it makes the Kardashian aura feel a bit more accessible—and maybe a bit more manufactured.
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Lela Star’s involvement in the Yeezy campaign was a peak "Simulation" moment. It proved that "Kim Kardashian" isn't just a person anymore; she’s a brand, an outfit, and a specific silhouette that can be draped over someone else to achieve the same effect.
What to Keep in Mind
If you're following the trajectory of these two, it's worth noting how the "Kardashian look" is actually shifting. While Lela Star became famous for that 2018-era Kim aesthetic, the real Kim has recently moved toward a slightly more "slim" and "minimalist" vibe.
Next Steps for the Curious:
- Check out the original Yeezy Season 6 lookbook to see the side-by-side comparisons of the "clones."
- Look for Lela Star's interview on the No Jumper podcast, where she gives the behind-the-scenes scoop on working with Kanye and how she really feels about the Kim K comparisons.
- Explore the "Instagram Face" phenomenon to understand how plastic surgery and makeup have created a world where many influencers now share the same facial features.
The comparison between Lela Star and Kim Kardashian isn't going away anytime soon, mostly because it represents a specific moment when "looking like Kim" became a literal job description. It’s a fascinating look at how fame, fashion, and physical appearance intersect in the digital age.