Kim Kardashian Turns Bar Exam Failure Into a Punchline in New Energy Drink Ad

Kim Kardashian failed the bar exam in November 2025, but she’s not letting it slow her down—one ounce of humor at a time. In a recent ad for her Update Energy drink brand, the reality star and entrepreneur turned public setback into self-aware comedy, directly addressing the scrutiny around her legal journey with a wink.

The commercial, released after her New York Times interview and Instagram post about the bar exam, features Kim breaking the fourth wall as actors whisper rumors about her. One asks, "Did she even pass the bar?". Kim, unfazed, fires back: "No, I didn’t pass the bar. I raised it.".

It’s classic Kardashian—defusing criticism with confidence and a twist. The ad doesn’t stop at the bar exam. It also references her infamous motivational catchphrase, "Get your f--king ass up and work.", and pokes fun at speculation about her plastic surgery and workaholic tendencies. The tone is cheeky, the message clear: she’s in on the joke.

How We Got Here

Kim’s path to the bar has been anything but traditional. She graduated from law school in May 2025 after six years of legal training, commemorating the milestone with an intimate commencement ceremony. To celebrate, she was joined by sister Khloe Kardashian, kids Saint West, 9, Chicago West, 7, and Psalm West, 6, as well as friend Van Jones. "All of you guys have been on this journey with me," the All’s Fair actress—also mom to North West, 13, with ex Kanye West—began in her speech, which was shared on Instagram Stories. "It did start with Van and I."

What Was Said

Her commitment remained public and unwavering even after the November 2025 bar exam failure. In an Instagram Stories post last November, she stated: "Six years into this law journey, and I'm still all in until I pass the bar. No shortcuts, no giving up—just more studying and even more determination."

That resilience was echoed in her interview with the New York Times, where she said: "I'm pretty good at taking a failure and turning it into something and I just don't have the time to dwell. You can feel sorry for yourself for a second, but I need to take that time and put it into studying more."

The Reaction

The Update Energy ad, filmed and released in 2025, doubles as both a brand moment and a personal statement: failure doesn’t define her. It fuels her. "I raised it."

The commercial also references her business advice, "Get your f--king ass up and work," and pokes fun at plastic surgery rumors. As founder of SKIMS, Kim continues to blend personal narrative with brand storytelling—this time using humor to reframe the conversation.

What Happens Next

Kim has not yet announced when she will retake the bar exam. What is confirmed is that she remains committed—and that she’s not above making fun of herself while doing it. The spotlight returned to her legal ambitions. And while the bar exam didn’t go her way—yet—her ability to reframe the narrative is textbook Kim: bold, unapologetic, and always on brand.

The Other Side

In October 2022, Kim Kardashian revealed on an episode of The Kardashians that her grandmother MJ Shannon once told her, "I know, but I was younger once," when discussing intimate moments. She shared that MJ had advised her: "You really live life when you have sex in front of the fireplace." In honor of her grandmother, Kim said, "My grandma told me that you really live life when you have sex in front of the fireplace. And so, we had sex in front of the fireplace in honor of you." Reflecting on the moment, she added: "How creepy to think about your grandma before you have sex?" On July 18, 2026, Kim posted the final text messages she received from MJ, further highlighting their close bond.

Sources

• Kim Kardashian Pokes Fun at Herself Months After Failing the Bar Exam — E! News