Reality TV icon and successful entrepreneur Kim Kardashian made headlines with an eight-word cry for help after losing her cool at the 2025 Academy Museum Gala on October 18, according to a lipreading expert.

The 44-year-old mother of four was almost unrecognizable as she arrived at the star-studded event in Los Angeles, California. She donned a striking Maison Margiela couture nude outfit that included a mask covering her entire face.

Although her faceless fashion statement left many fans unsettled, Kardashian revealed she was still wearing a full face of glamorous makeup beneath the mask.

Despite the makeup, Kardashian struggled to navigate the venue, nearly stumbling as the unconventional ensemble impaired her vision.

Lipreader Nicola Hickling analyzed a video shared on People’s Instagram, which captured Kardashian being carefully escorted into the gala. An assistant lifted her gown as she waved her arms, trying to avoid a fall.

Hickling told the Mirror: “Using advanced video enhancement software, I analysed the footage frame by frame and isolated Kim Kardashian’s speech patterns beneath her mask allowing me to confidently determine what she said to her assistant.”

Hickling went on to disclose, “Kim appears visibly unsettled, she waves her hands in disbelief and shakes her head before insisting, ‘Don’t let go, I can’t see a thing.’

“She seems momentarily panicked and unsteady. Her assistant stays calm and supportive, replying, ‘Don’t worry, I’ve got you. I’ll lead you, just hold onto my hand.’”

The lipreader went on to say, “Kim regains her composure and together they begin to walk away with more confidence.” However, Kardashian left her supporters feeling unsettled by the peculiar ensemble.

She accessorised with a multi-tiered crystal-adorned choker necklace showcasing emerald stones and cross pendants, alongside a coordinating ring.

Before the gala, she posted a video poking fun at her masked look. In the footage, she enquired of her makeup artist, Mario Dedivanoic, “Mario, do I look okay? The make-up?”.

He responded playfully, “Your make-up looks amazing, yes.” Kardashian then remarked, “It’s good? All that hard work guys. I feel like I always do this to Mario, though.”

Whilst some observers deemed the appearance “interesting” and one admirer branded Kim “next level fabulous,” others remained distinctly unimpressed by her fashion selection.

Multiple people even observed that the ensemble recalled her entirely concealed outfit worn to the 2021 Met Gala alongside her ex-husband, Kanye West.

During the 2021 Met Gala, Kardashian sported a black mask covering her entire face and head as part of a Balenciaga creation. Responding to the star’s Saturday evening appearance, a fan posted on X, “You can still see the Kanye in her.”

“Was she styled by Kanye?” one queried, while another commented, “She misses Kanye I see… Because this is ridiculous.” Another added, “She looks ridiculous. Must be a leftover from crazy Kanye.” A different user tweeted, “How does she breathe?”

One individual remarked, “This is what happens when the plastic surgery doesn’t heal in time for the event lol.” Another user questioned, “Why are celebrities so weird? Like they don’t know how to just be normal people.”

Her appearance at the bash came just one day after the Skims founder and her family joined Kylie Jenner in marking the 10th anniversary of her cosmetics empire, Kylie Cosmetics, at a special pop-up celebration. Jenner and Kardashian stunned onlookers with coordinated, body-hugging latex outfits.