Kim Kardashian is known for using her platform to advocate for prison reform, but one misstep has landed her in hot water. A New York man named Ivan Cantu has filed a lawsuit against the SKIMS mogul after she mistakenly posted his photo instead of a Texas death row inmate with the same name.
According to TMZ, the mix-up caused “public embarrassment, shame, hatred, ridicule, disgrace, contempt, and aversion.” Now, he’s taking legal action for libel and slander, claiming the emotional toll has been devastating.
Wrongfully Identified—How Kim’s Post Affected an Innocent Man
In February 2024, Kim shared a post meant to bring awareness to Ivan “Abner” Cantu, a Texas death row inmate fighting for his life. But instead of using the prisoner’s image, her team mistakenly uploaded a photo of Ivan Cantu, a project manager from New York, who has no connection to the case.
The lawsuit alleges that because of Kim’s massive social media following, the damage was immediate and overwhelming. Ivan Cantu claims that since the post went live, he has suffered from:
PTSD and anxiety
Sleep deprivation and nightmares
Headaches and emotional distress
Loss of reputation and social humiliation.
He says the mix-up even forced him to seek medical and emotional counseling to cope with the trauma.
Kim Kardashian’s Legal Team Responds to the Lawsuit
Kim’s legal team isn’t backing down from the lawsuit. Michael Rhodes, her attorney, told TMZ that this was a simple mistake and nothing more.
“It was a simple mistake of using the public photo of another man with the same name to promote Kim’s longstanding commitment to the cause of criminal justice reform. The image was taken down almost immediately once the error was discovered. We’d prefer to solve this without litigation, but of course, will defend Kim as needed.”
While Kim quickly deleted the post, Cantu argues that the damage was already done, given her audience of over 300 million followers. He’s now seeking financial compensation for the harm he says she caused.
The Bigger Picture—Kim Kardashian’s Role in Criminal Justice Reform
Kim Kardashian has been a vocal advocate for criminal justice reform, helping free inmates like Alice Marie Johnson and supporting cases of wrongful conviction. While her work has been widely praised, this lawsuit raises concerns about the responsibility that comes with such a large platform.
This case could serve as a warning for other celebrities and influencers who use their platforms for activism—emphasizing the importance of fact-checking before posting sensitive information.
