Kim Kardashian's Birthday Message to Brother Rob Raises Eyebrows

Kim Kardashian's birthday tribute to her brother has caused a stir online and prompted a mixed response from her followers on Instagram.

The middle child of the clan, Rob Kardashian, turned 37 on Sunday, with his famous siblings posting birthday messages on social media.

Kim Kardashian shared a throwback snap of herself and a baby-faced Rob on Instagram.

Rob Kardashian (left) and Kim Kardashian, 2011
Rob Kardashian (left) and Kim Kardashian on August 10, 2011, in Hollywood, California. The reality star shared a throwback pic to Instagram to celebrate her brother's 37th birthday. Jason LaVeris/Filmmagic

Seemingly taken at a house party during their teenage years, Rob is all dressed up in a suit with gelled hair, while Kim is rocking gold pleather trousers, a black tank top and razor-thin eyebrows.

"Happy Birthday to the sweetest funniest best brother in the world!" the 43-year-old wrote. "I love you so much and so blessed to have u as my brother!"

However, some elements of the photo confused the reality star's 364 million followers.

"Why both of their eyes red. Illuminati s***," commented Breezy Har, noting the red-eye effect caused by the camera flash.

April compared the siblings to the "Cast of Twilight," with their glowing eyes and early 2000s fashion. Sandtiara Chuetisha agreed, writing: "Vampires."

"Did Kim get eyebrow implants or is it just makeup?" asked Leah Martinez, while Lindsey Danae White commented: "Rob has been hiding, haven't seen him in forever."

Newsweek has reached out to Rob Kardashian for comment via Instagram and to Kim Kardashian by email.

Other fans couldn't get enough of the snap, with Gayane writing: "Such good looking family."

"OK the baby Kim and Rob got me," said Malika.

"Kim [was] always the IT girl," commented Bonnie Qsouse, while Jeanie said Rob "looks just like his daddy."

The only boy in the Kardashian-Jenner dynasty, Rob's mother is reality star Kris Jenner, while his dad was attorney Robert Kardashian. Best known for defending O.J. Simpson during his 1995 murder trial, the father-of-four passed away in 2003 at the age of 59.

Along with Kim, 43, Rob Kardashian's siblings include Kourtney, 44, and Khloe, 39. He also has half-sisters Kendall, 28, and Kylie, 26, from his mother's second marriage to former Olympian Caitlyn Jenner.

Rob was a regular during the first seven seasons of the family's E! reality show, Keeping Up With the Kardashians. However, he gradually began to step back from the series in 2012, reportedly due to mixed feelings about appearing on reality TV.

Rob further retreated from the spotlight following his split from Blac Chyna.

He proposed to the adult film star—real name Angela White—in April 2016 after three months of dating. Their daughter, Dream Renée Kardashian, was born the following November, with the duo launching their reality show, Rob and Chyna.

However, a fight between the couple in December 2016 reportedly turned violent, with Chyna allegedly pointing an unloaded gun at Rob's head while under the influence.

Rob and Chyna was canceled following the altercation. The model's Instagram account was hacked shortly afterward, with the unknown hacker threatening to "expose" Chyna for her alleged infidelities.

The 35-year-old blamed Rob for the leak, accusing him of posting revenge porn images after she ended their romance. Following the breakup, Rob shared videos of the former couple's empty home, accusing Chyna of not allowing him access to his daughter.

Chyna launched a $100 million defamation suit against the Kardashians in 2017, but lost, while Rob filed a domestic violence suit against his ex-girlfriend. Chyna also sued Rob for revenge porn, with the pair reaching a settlement in 2022.

In August, Chyna revealed the duo had put the past behind them and were focusing on co-parenting their daughter, now 7.

Addressing her brother's absence during an appearance on Watch What Happens Live in 2019, Kim Kardashian told host Andy Cohen that Rob "has his moods."

"Sometimes he's like, 'Look, I didn't sign up for this' and then he's like, 'I'm cool to do it,'" she explained.

The family has since launched a second reality show on Hulu, The Kardashians, with Rob making a brief video appearance during a call with his mom in November.

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Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.

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