North West has apparently removed her previously publicized finger piercing, a development that comes only weeks after she publicly addressed and dismissed criticism surrounding the matter.
The 12-year-old daughter of Kim Kardashian and Kanye West shared a series of photographs on Instagram on Tuesday, following her debut on the platform earlier this month. In the images, she was seen posing with two friends while spending time in a snowy setting. Notably, in several of the photographs, North positioned her right hand near her face—an area where she had previously displayed the piercing during the summer months.
In August, while traveling in Italy with her mother, North revealed what appeared to be a dermal piercing on her right hand, consisting of two small silver studs positioned below the knuckle of her middle finger. However, recent images suggest that the piercing has since been removed, with her hand now appearing unadorned.
Earlier this month, North addressed public criticism via the joint TikTok account she shares with her mother. In a short selfie video, an audio clip played in the background stating, “Why are you crying? How old are you? Just pull it together.” Text overlaid on the video read, “This is for everyone that’s mad over a finger piercing.”
North first drew attention to the jewellery during an outing with her mother in Rome in August. She had also shared, and subsequently deleted, images purportedly showing the piercing process, according to screenshots reported by The Sun.
Public reaction to the piercing was divided. One TikTok user, identified as @mazzy_williams, shared a video expressing concern, writing that North getting a finger piercing was “breaking my heart,” while questioning the appropriateness of the decision. Kim Kardashian responded in the comment section, stating simply, “It’s okay.”
Other reactions varied, with some users describing the issue as inconsequential, while others expressed concern given North’s age, characterizing the piercing as a potentially permanent decision.
In October, North again drew attention online after appearing on TikTok wearing fake facial tattoos, grillz, and a faux nose piercing. The posts generated further mixed reactions, prompting a response to criticism posted in the comment section of a video circulated by Daily Mail Australia. The comment read, “This is such a non-issue,” and was later revealed to have been written by North herself.
During a subsequent interview on Complex’s GOAT Talk, Kim Kardashian explained that her daughter viewed the look as a Halloween costume and found the backlash unwarranted. Kardashian described the criticism directed at her child as “disturbing” and “horrible.”
North’s most recent Instagram activity follows her official debut on the platform on December 19, where her initial post featured a blurred image of herself making peace signs. In under two weeks, she amassed more than one million followers. She has since remained active, sharing additional images and re-posting content to her stories, including photos tagged in New York City and images featuring media personality Dani Levi.
Over the holiday period, North also shared moments involving her stepmother, Bianca Censori, including a screenshot of a FaceTime call with rapper Babyxsosa. While the exact timing of the call is unclear, it appeared to have taken place during the festive season.
Censori, who married Kanye West in 2022, has reportedly spent time with North and her siblings—Saint, Chicago, and Psalm—on several occasions, including a recent family outing to Disneyland. Reports further indicate that Kardashian and West reunited briefly over the Christmas holiday, maintaining a cordial and cooperative co-parenting relationship.
According to sources cited by TMZ, West has been reflecting on past conduct and is becoming increasingly supportive of his daughter, notwithstanding prior objections he had expressed regarding North’s presence on social media.#newsafro_
