Kim Kardashian addresses backlash over mistimed vacation photos

Kim Kardashian has addressed criticism over an Instagram post shared shortly after the death of her grandmother, Mary Jo "MJ" Shannon, explaining that the vacation photos had been scheduled before her family's loss.

The SKIMS founder faced backlash after posting a carousel of family getaway pictures captioned "Lake life" around the same time her mother, Kris Jenner, announced that MJ had died at the age of 91.

Responding to comments on the post, Kardashian clarified that its timing was unintentional and stressed that she had spent the past week with her mother and grandmother before MJ's passing.

"This post was scheduled a few days ago before we lost MJ, so its timing came right alongside her passing," Kardashian wrote.

She added that her heart remains with her family as they mourn and prepare to celebrate her grandmother's life.

Shortly afterward, Kardashian shared a separate tribute dedicated entirely to MJ, describing her as her "best friend," "gossip buddy" and "forever twin."

The reality star reflected on the important role her grandmother played in shaping her life, crediting MJ with teaching her the value of family, hard work and confidence.

Kardashian also recalled receiving her first job at her grandmother's store in San Diego, saying those early lessons helped shape the businesswoman she would become.

Calling MJ the family's matriarch, Kardashian said her love and influence would continue to live on through future generations.

She ended the emotional message by asking her grandmother to "give Papa Harry, Aunt Karen, and my dad a hug" in heaven before affectionately joking that MJ would likely still be keeping up with the family's Instagram posts through the private account she secretly used.

Kris Jenner announced MJ's death earlier this week, prompting heartfelt tributes from members of the Kardashian-Jenner family as they remembered the beloved family matriarch.