Naomi Watts Confirms Unexpected Friendship with Kim Kardashian in Heartfelt Birthday Post, Years After Criticizing Her

Naomi Watts Confirms Unexpected Friendship with Kim Kardashian in Heartfelt Birthday Post, Years After Criticizing Her
(PC: Instagram)

Naomi Watts has entered her “Kardashian era,” as she playfully confirmed her unexpected friendship with Kim Kardashian. 

Related: Kim Kardashian Wows in Bold Topless 'Birthday Suit' Dress for 44th Birthday Celebration

On Tuesday, the British-Australian actress, 56, took to Instagram to share a heartfelt birthday tribute to Kim, signaling a strong bond between the two stars. This friendly gesture surprised many, considering Naomi's previous remarks criticizing the Kardashian family years ago.

Related: Kim Kardashian Shows Off Her New SKIMS Bandeau That Can Be Worn 30 Different Ways, Earning Praise as 'Genius' From Fans

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The birthday post featured a sweet selfie of Naomi and Kim, with Naomi keeping the message simple: “Happy birthday!! @kimkardashian.” Kim, who was celebrating her 44th birthday, reshared the post on her Instagram Stories, acknowledging their budding friendship. In the photo, Naomi appeared casual in a black T-shirt with her blonde hair tied back in a low ponytail, while Kim, sporting a black blazer and a short blonde wig under a baseball cap, posed playfully for the camera. Naomi affectionately had her arm around Kim’s shoulders, showcasing the warmth between them. The picture may have been taken on the set of their upcoming collaboration in Ryan Murphy's legal drama *All’s Fair*, where the two are co-stars. 

Related: Kim Kardashian Marks Skims' Fifth Anniversary After $4 Billion Success: 'What a Journey!'

However, the image could also be from a previous collaboration in June when both women starred in a Balenciaga campaign called "Characters." For that shoot, Kim donned a Marilyn Monroe-inspired blonde crop and posed with the Rodeo bag, which matches the look she sported in Naomi’s post.  Both Naomi and Kim have made waves in the fashion world, especially as prominent faces for Balenciaga. Kim, along with fellow actress Nicole Kidman, became official ambassadors for the French luxury fashion house in 2024, while Naomi turned heads at the Met Gala this year in one of Balenciaga’s signature designs. The pair even attended the Kering Foundation's annual Caring for Women Dinner during New York Fashion Week, although they didn’t pose for photos together despite being seated near one another.

Related: Kim Kardashian Dons Sheer Blue Dress, Talks Skims’ $4 Billion Global Success in *Financial Times* Interview

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Naomi’s public admiration for Kim is a far cry from the opinions she expressed years ago. In a Vanity Fair interview during the Kering Foundation event, Naomi gushed about Kim, saying, “I love that she’s trying different and new things all the time and seems to do very well at many of them—or all of them. I am impressed by her—wildly impressed. Anyone who works hard deserves major accolades. She’s clearly a hard-working woman.” This praise starkly contrasts Naomi’s sentiments from nearly a decade ago when she criticized the Kardashian family’s impact on the entertainment industry. In 2015, Naomi expressed concern over the influence of reality TV celebrities, saying, “We’re in the Kardashian era, and it’s slightly scary.” 

Related: Kim Kardashian Advocates for Menendez Brothers' Release in Op-Ed: 'Death is Their Only Way Out of Prison'

She felt that the rise of “famous-for-being-famous” stars diluted the traditional glamour of Hollywood’s leading ladies. At that time, the Kardashian family’s appearances on red carpets were often looked down upon by the industry, though that perception has shifted significantly in recent years. Since then, Kim Kardashian has expanded her empire beyond reality TV, venturing into fashion, beauty, and even acting. Most notably, Kim impressed audiences with her role in *American Horror Story: Delicate* as a devilish PR woman, marking her official foray into acting. Her performance, which played off themes of motherhood and ambition, earned praise and has solidified her transition from reality star to actress. Kim’s partnership with Ryan Murphy continues with *All’s Fair*, a legal drama centered around an all-female law firm. 

Related: Kim Kardashian's Fans Compare Her to Pocahontas, Madonna, and Monica Bellucci in New XS Skims Lingerie

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The series boasts a star-studded cast, including Sarah Paulson, Niecy Nash, and Teyana Taylor. Kim will not only act but also serve as an executive producer, with her mother Kris Jenner cast as one of the divorce lawyers. Rumor has it that Murphy created a role specifically for Kim, hoping to capture the same magic he did with her *American Horror Story* character. With Kim’s upcoming plans to take the bar exam in 2025 and her growing involvement in legal dramas, she may well be transitioning into a new chapter in her career. Naomi’s public support only underscores how much the entertainment world’s view of Kim Kardashian has evolved. What started as skepticism from Hollywood’s elite has turned into admiration, with Naomi now one of her newest, and perhaps unlikeliest, champions.

Related: Kim Kardashian's On-Screen Love Interest Unveiled in Ryan Murphy's New Legal Drama *All's Fair*

Naomi Watts Confirms Unexpected Friendship with Kim Kardashian in Heartfelt Birthday Post, Years After Criticizing Her pic.twitter.com/u405GCiQ2t

— Kardashian Jenner News Update (@karjennews) October 23, 2024