Kim Kardashian defends North West TikTok look

North West, 12, drew widespread attention late in October after posting TikTok videos showing a temporary, heavily styled makeover that included faux face tattoos, a faux septum ring, bright blue contact lenses, braided blue-highlighted hair and black grillz. The clips, shared on the joint kimandnorth account, were posted Oct. 20 and prompted further reaction when a later clip drew comments from viewers and a response from her mother, Kim Kardashian, on Oct. 22.

In the videos North and two friends posed in coordinated looks while riding in a private jet. Her faux markings included a small star beneath one eye and her name written in cursive on the other cheek. She captioned one post with a phrase indicating the look was temporary, writing that the piercings and tattoos were fake, and in another post confirmed the styling was for fun. The outfit paired a baggy black T-shirt with layered silver chains, pearls and cross necklaces; she also wore long lashes, a henna-style hand design and glittery jewelry.

The posts produced a mix of reactions online. Some commenters questioned the appropriateness of such a dramatic presentation for a preteen, citing concerns about parenting and...