Kim Kardashian Stuns in Full-Face Nude Mask at Academy Museum Gala, Ignites Buzz Online

A masked mystery! Kim Kardashian sparks commentary in a full-face disguise at a glamorous gala, just days after her brand's scandalous product launch.

It was a sight that stopped the internet in its tracks. On October 18, 2025, the 5th Annual Academy Museum Gala took place at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures in Los Angeles.

Among the A-listers present was media mogul Kim Kardashian, who turned heads in a mask and figure-hugging ensemble. Kardashian's appearance sparked a flurry of comments from netizens who were taken aback by her look and nitpicked at the details.

The Nude Mask Look That Sent the Internet Into a Meltdown

Kardashian's monochromatic nude ensemble featured a curve-accentuating strapless gown in a soft beige tone, complete with dramatically draped sleeves that cascaded to the floor.

What truly set the outfit apart, however, was the unexpected full-face mask — fashioned from the same nude fabric — that concealed her entire head, creating a faceless silhouette.

Complementing the minimalist palette, she adorned her neck with an oversized, multi-tiered jeweled choker encrusted with emeralds and diamonds, which extended up and over the base of the mask and added a jarring contrast of opulence against anonymity.

Her long, dark hair spilled down her back in loose waves, while her fingers were decorated with matching green gemstone rings. Videos of her confidently posing on the carpet further heightened the drama, as she gestured gracefully, fully embracing the surreal, almost statuesque quality of the look.

'Just Why??!': Online Spectators Lose It over the Avant-Garde Ensemble

The bold look quickly made its rounds online, prompting a wave of mixed reactions across social media platforms. One person, responding to E! News' headline, which reads, "Kim Kardashian Is Literally Unrecognizable With Nude Mask at Academy Museum Gala," penned, "It's the 'literally unrecognizable' for me."

Others took a more critical stance, questioning the overall aesthetic and intent behind the ensemble. "Just why??!" asked one bewildered commenter. "Looks like pantyhose over her head!!! Ugly nothing [sic] classy or pretty about it," complained another.

'So She Had Her Ribs Taken Out?': The Dress Sparks More Alarm

Several netizens shifted their focus to Kardashian's dress rather than the mask, scrutinizing its tight fit and unusual silhouette. "... So she had her ribs taken out?" wondered one spectator.

"Everyone talking about the mask and not the rib cage dress????" pointed out someone else. One person remarked, "that [sic] dress is so unflattering," while another questioned her comfort, writing, "I'm not sure if she was able to breathe, looks like she was starting to get dizzy 😳."

What raised even more eyebrows? The idea that she did a full face of glam... under the mask. "Its [sic] hilarious bc she even did glam underneath this😂," one person observed. Meanwhile, another viewer bluntly added, "Latest surgery didn't go too well then?"

While opinions on her masked gala look are sharply divided, the flurry of commentary isn't unfamiliar territory for Kim Kardashian.

The Recent Backlash Comes Days After Her Brand's Eyebrow-Raising Product Sparked Commentary

In fact, the moment came on the heels of yet another online stir — one rooted in a provocative new launch from her brand SKIMS that had already set social media ablaze just days earlier.

The billionaire's latest launch from her shapewear empire sent the internet into a frenzy of laughter, confusion, and total disbelief, thanks to a barely-there thong that mimics natural pubic hair… Yes, you read that correctly.

SKIMS' Merkin-Embellished Underwear Collection Sparks an Internet Frenzy

The product in question, officially named the "Faux Hair Micro String Thong," is described on the SKIMS website as the brand's "most daring panty yet." Priced at $32 and already marked as a limited edition, the panty is handmade from a sheer stretch mesh and embellished with faux hair — straight, curly, and everything in between — at the front.

Offered in 12 different shade variations, each thong is constructed with elastic side straps and marketed as fitting true to size.

In a video shared online, Kardashian gave fans a closer look at the attention-grabbing collection, displaying several versions of the thong laid out on a flat surface.

Her voice could be heard narrating the moment with amusement as she laughed, saying, "How funny are these merkins, you guys? We have different colors, different hair. This is insane. SKIMS baby."

Unsurprisingly, netizens didn't know whether to laugh, cry, shake their heads in disbelief, or call the authorities. "I'm calling the police," one person penned, echoing the sense of shock many felt upon first seeing the design. "This can't be real 😂," added another, while someone else chimed in with, "What in the world. 😂."

Others questioned the concept more directly, with one netizen simply asking, "Just why?" Amid the confusion, some needed a double-take. "Thought it was fake till I looked it up on skims [sic] they got all the colors and textures😂😂😂," expressed one commenter.

Interestingly, not everyone was put off by the novelty. "I love this," wrote one supporter, seemingly unfazed by the unconventional styling. Meanwhile, someone else reflected on the brand's previous shock factor, noting, "First the nipple bra and now this. I wonder what's next."

Still, skepticism lingered in parts of the online community. "What I can't believe is that people will buy them 😆," stated a spectator. But the merkin-adorned thongs aren't the first SKIMS product to make headlines this year.

Sculpted Face, Sculpted Jawline, and a Hollywood Icon Joins the Fun

Earlier in 2025, the brand's release of a sculpting Face Wrap also garnered widespread attention. Marketed as SKIMS' "first-ever face innovation," the $48 accessory is made from the brand's signature seamless sculpt fabric designed to provide strong, targeted compression for shaping and jawline sculpting.

The product features collagen yarns for added support and comfort, with Velcro closures placed at the top and nape of the neck to allow for easy wear. Openings at the ears and back of the head complete the design, making it suitable for everyday use — at least according to the brand.

The wrap is available in two skin-tone shades and boasts a snug, face-hugging silhouette that has proven both functional and eye-catching.

Described by SKIMS as a "must-have" for ultra-soft jaw support, the unconventional item quickly joined the ranks of the brand's most conversation-sparking releases — even before the merkins had their moment. But nothing — and we mean nothing — could have prepared fans for what came next.

The buzz around the Seamless Sculpt Face Wrap reached a whole new level when none other than Hollywood legend Anthony Hopkins joined in on the conversation. On July 31, the "Silence of the Lambs" star posted a humorous Instagram video of himself trying on the SKIMS accessory, confidently modeling the piece in the clay shade.

The visual drew instant comparisons to Hopkins' chilling portrayal of Dr. Hannibal Lecter, whose character famously donned a tan face mask to prevent him from biting others while imprisoned.

Embracing the resemblance, Hopkins slipped effortlessly back into his iconic villain's persona, adopting Lecter's signature tone and adding, with mock menace, that he felt "10 years younger" after wearing the wrap.

In his caption, Hopkins extended a tongue-in-cheek thank-you to Kardashian, writing, "Thank you, Kim. Don't be afraid to come over for dinner @kimkardashian @skims."

'Are You Having Kim for Dinner?': Fans Lose It over Anthony Hopkins' Video

Fans in the comments were quick to revel in the unexpected crossover. "This is the best publicity you could get @kimkardashian! lol. You have to reply. This is so epic!" one person gushed. Another joked, "Are you having Kim for dinner???" while a third quipped that they were having a "Hannibal girl summer."

Despite the mixed reception online, the SKIMS Face Wrap — released on July 29 — sold out swiftly, with interested buyers now stuck on a waitlist.

From nipple bras and hairy thongs to jaw-tightening Hannibal masks, Kardashian's SKIMS continues to dominate the viral spotlight, and one thing is crystal clear: When it comes to pushing boundaries and getting people talking, SKIMS isn't just playing the game — it's rewriting the rules.