‘You Face Challenges, You Make Mistakes’: Kendall Jenner Reflects on the Rocky Beginnings of 818 Tequila
(Photo: 818 Tequila)
Kendall Jenner took to the stage alongside Machine Gun Kelly, Bad Bunny, Riann Wilson and more at the Forbes Under 30 Summit to discuss her career shift from model to multi-hyphenate businesswoman.
In a televised conversation with Moira Forbes, Jenner candidly reflected on the triumphs — and controversies — surrounding the debut of her now wildly successful 818 Tequila brand in 2021.
“You face challenges, you make mistakes—knowing yourself and knowing how you handle things, and then moving accordingly, is super important,” Jenner shared. “There’s a learning curve to it all but working with integrity and authenticity is always going to create positive results.”
Though Jenner didn’t specifically address the “mistakes” surrounding 818’s launch, the context is immediately apparent to anyone who has kept an eye on the brand’s trajectory. Following a controversial, now largely deleted ad featuring Jenner in the agave fields of Mexico, the Internet was inundated with memes and think pieces accusing the reality star of cultural appropriation.
(Photo: 818 Tequila)
Of course, Jenner isn’t the only one. Within the burgeoning American-owned tequila status quo, celebrities like George Clooney and Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson regularly travel to Mexico for sepia-tinted promo pics alongside the tequileros who actually make their spirit.
Amidst the avalanche of celebrity-owned tequila brands, it’s easy to understand how the Kardashian-Jenner media dynasty became an easy punching bag for inauthenticity.
In the years since its launch, 818 has found its groove in the expected assortment of reality TV product placements and high-profile party sightings. According to Jenner, she and the brand have now found their footing.
“I think that I’ve come to a place now at 27 where I’ve never felt more comfortable with myself,” Jenner remarked at the summit.
“I’d be lying if I said I haven’t had moments of self-doubt — moments of confusion of ‘who am I’, and where do I belong and where do I fit in […] I think that I feel really fortunate, really blessed to be in a position where I feel really good about where I’m at.”
“I think that I’ve come to a place now at 27 where I’ve never felt more comfortable with myself.”@KendallJenner joined @moiraforbes to speak about finding her voice at the 2023 #Under30Summit. #ForbesUnder30 https://t.co/4FqDDFkIr0 pic.twitter.com/ZrlPX27u1o
— Forbes (@Forbes) October 9, 2023
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