Kim Kardashian slammed over bikini tribute to dead Smash Mouth singer

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Kim Kardashian is facing a wave of backlash after posting a bikini selfie that quoted lyrics from Smash Mouth’s hit All Star following the death of the band’s former singer this week.

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“All that glitters is gold,” the socialite captioned the snap, which has garnered over 1.6 million likes on Instagram

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But even though the band gave her post their seal of approval following the death of former frontman Steve Harwell on Monday, Smash Mouth fans were quick to accuse the reality star’s steamy selfie of being in poor taste.

“Is this her tribute post to Steve Harwell?” one fan wondered.

“Kim there’s people that are dying — literally,” a second person wrote in the comments, with another adding, “Someone dies and you use their lyrics to post a thirst trap.”

“This is what tone deaf and ignorance looks like,” a third person swiped.

“We have to work on lighting for these types of pictures Kim,” a fourth critic jabbed.

“Kim the Smash Mouth guy just died,” one fan informed the mother of four. “Take this down.”

The remaining members of Smash Mouth, the ’90s alt-pop band Harwell fronted until 2021, reposted Kardashian’s pics on X, adding a few more lyrics from the song. “Only shooting stars,” wrote the band.

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Some fans defended the group’s cheeky response to Kardashian, saying that Harwell would have approved.

“People saying ‘too soon’ really didn’t knew Steve and it shows,” one fan wrote, with another declaring, “It’s what he would have wanted.”

Kardashian’s post came after Harwell died of acute liver failure on Sept. 4 at age 56.

“Steve lived a 100% full-throttle life, burning brightly across the universe before burning out,” the band wrote, paying tribute to Harwell in an Instagram post. “Good night Heevo Veev. Rest in peace knowing you aimed for the stars, and magically hit your target.”

“Steve Harwell passed away this morning September 4, 2023 at his home in Boise Idaho,” the band’s manager Robert Hayes said in a statement to Postmedia Monday morning. “He was surrounded by family and friends and passed peacefully and comfortably.”

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In his message, Hayes called Harwell “a true American original” and “a larger than life character who shot up into the sky like a Roman candle.”

“Steve should be remembered for his unwavering focus and impassioned determination to reach the heights of pop stardom. And the fact that he achieved this near-impossible goal with very limited musical experience makes his accomplishments all the more remarkable. His only tools were his irrepressible charm and charisma, his fearlessly reckless ambition, and his king-size cajones.”

Harwell departed the band in 2021 after he was filmed flashing a Nazi salute and heard cursing out fans at a show in upstate New York.

“As of today, Steve will be retiring from Smash Mouth to focus on his physical and mental health,” Harwell’s rep told the old the New York Post after the incident.

Even though it was still unclear whether Kardashian’s post was meant as a tribute to Harwell, she returned to Instagram to show off the glittery outfit she wore to Beyonce’s Los Angeles concert this week.

The Grammy winner said she wanted her fans to come dressed as a “shimmering human disco ball each night.”

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Kardashian posed in a bedazzled bra top and choker, showing she did her best to comply with Queen Bey’s request.

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X: @markhdaniell

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