Kim Zolciak’s Latest Social Media Stunt: Kroy Biermann ‘Death’ Post Ignites Family Drama and Fan Backlash
Reality television personality Kim Zolciak, known for her controversial presence on The Real Housewives of Atlanta, has once again stirred a significant social media storm. This time, her actions have not only garnered widespread criticism from fans but also prompted a deeply emotional and public reaction from her daughter, Ariana Biermann. The uproar began when Zolciak seemingly directed her followers to a misleading article, heavily implying the death of her estranged husband, Kroy Biermann, through a provocative Instagram post.
The post, which quickly went viral, led many to believe the former NFL player had passed away, causing alarm among her followers and, more significantly, distress within her own family. Ariana Biermann, 22, was among those profoundly affected by her mother’s latest online move, taking to social media herself to express her shock and frustration over the insensitive and deceptive content.
Ariana’s immediate reaction was captured in a candid and visibly shaken TikTok video posted on April 23, where she recounted the harrowing experience of encountering her mother’s post. “I almost had a damn heart attack when I went on my Instagram,” Ariana shared with her followers, her voice tinged with disbelief. “I physically don’t have any f***ing words. What? Like, what? The DMs I’m getting as well before I even saw the story.” Her words painted a clear picture of the chaos and confusion that Kim’s actions had unleashed, not just for Ariana but for countless others who saw the alarming message.
The sheer volume of concerned messages Ariana received even before she personally saw the post underscores the widespread panic and genuine concern generated by Kim’s ambiguous update. For a child to discover such a grave implication about their father via a public social media post, and then to witness the ensuing public concern, is undeniably distressing. Ariana’s emotional outburst was a testament to the real-world impact of her mother’s ongoing pattern of attention-grabbing, and often misleading, online behavior.
The controversial Instagram post itself featured a black-and-white photograph of Kim, 45, alongside her estranged husband and Ariana’s father, Kroy, 38. Accompanying the somber image were the hashtags “#RIP 💔 #LinkInBio,” which are typically used to announce a death and direct followers to an obituary or tribute. However, instead of leading to any news regarding Kroy, the provided link directed users to a generic gallery of celebrities who had passed away in 2023. This deceptive tactic, designed purely to generate clicks, played on the emotions of followers and caused unnecessary anguish for family members, especially Ariana.
The profound “secondhand embarrassment” Ariana articulated in her TikTok highlights the personal toll such public stunts take on her and her siblings. “What would you do in this situation?” she asked her followers, inviting them to empathize with her unique predicament. “Secondhand embarrassment stays through the roof. Let’s see what’s coming next week.” Her closing remarks in the video, though laced with frustration, also conveyed a daughter’s lingering affection for her mother despite the public spectacle. “I love you, but I just, like… My heart, like, tugging,” she said, her voice trailing off with a confused expletive, perfectly capturing the conflicting emotions of love, frustration, and disbelief. The incident underscores the complexities of their mother-daughter relationship, played out on a public stage.
@arianabiermann ♬ original sound – ariana biermann
This incident is not an isolated occurrence for Kim Zolciak. Her history with misleading social media posts and clickbait tactics has been a recurring theme, drawing criticism and concern from fans and media alike. A notable previous instance occurred in November 2023 when she shared a sonogram image with the caption “SO EXCITED TO BE A GRANDMA.” This post immediately sparked speculation that her eldest daughter, Brielle Biermann, could be pregnant, creating a frenzy among her followers and generating significant media attention.
In that prior instance, Kim strategically disabled comments on the post, an action that subtly encouraged her followers to click on the accompanying article to uncover more details. The article, playing into the created narrative, was titled, “Oh baby! Brielle Biermann spilled to us about having kids and how she feels about her mom Kim Zolciak becoming a grandma.” This setup was a clear example of how such posts are crafted to capitalize on public curiosity and drive traffic to external content, often for financial gain, without directly confirming or denying the initial misleading implication.
TMZ later reported that Brielle, 27, was unequivocally not pregnant, effectively debunking the rumor fueled by her mother’s social media activity. The report further alleged that Kim was receiving a financial kickback from the clickbait article, revealing the underlying motivation behind such deceptive posts. This pattern of leveraging personal family news, or even fabricated family news, for monetary benefit has raised significant ethical questions about celebrity behavior on social media and the impact on their public image and family relationships.
The repeated use of family members, particularly her daughters, in these clickbait schemes adds another layer of complexity and concern. While celebrities often navigate the public eye, using personal and sensitive family matters for what appears to be financial gain can be deeply damaging to trust and relationships. Both Ariana’s and Brielle’s experiences highlight the emotional strain and public embarrassment that can arise when a parent employs such tactics, blurring the lines between personal life and public performance in a way that can be detrimental.
Kim Zolciak first rose to prominence on reality television when she joined The Real Housewives of Atlanta for its inaugural season, which debuted on Bravo in October 2008. Her flamboyant personality, distinctive wigs, and tumultuous relationships quickly made her a fan favorite and a central figure in the early years of the franchise. Kim remained a core cast member on the show until season 5, during which time viewers witnessed her marriage to Kroy Biermann, a former NFL player, and the blending of their families.
Following her departure from RHOA, Kim and Kroy, along with their children, starred in their own spin-off series, Don’t Be Tardy. The show, which focused intimately on their marriage, family life, and daily escapades, ran for an impressive eight seasons, further solidifying their status as reality TV staples. This long tenure provided an extensive look into their lives, making their current public drama surrounding their divorce and financial struggles even more scrutinized by a loyal fanbase who felt they knew the family well.
Despite persistent rumors and fan hopes that Kim might make a grand return to The Real Housewives of Atlanta, the “Google Me” singer has consistently stated that she has other projects lined up. She previously confirmed her participation in VH1’s upcoming season of The Surreal Life, indicating her continued ambition to remain in the entertainment spotlight, albeit on different platforms. This commitment to new ventures suggests a strategic move to diversify her reality television portfolio and maintain relevance in the competitive landscape of celebrity programming.
“I am sorry to disappoint those who were holding out hope that I’d return and they would get to watch me in action again this season,” she previously told Celebuzz!, addressing the RHOA return speculation. “However, that doesn’t mean that you’ve seen the last of me yet on TV so stay tuned for more on that in the near future.” Her statement confirms her intent to stay visible on television, reassuring her fans that her reality TV journey is far from over, even if it’s not on the show that initially brought her fame.
The ongoing saga of Kim Zolciak’s social media tactics, particularly those involving her family and emotionally charged topics, raises significant questions about the boundaries of celebrity and the ethical implications of using personal relationships for public engagement and potential financial gain. While the world of reality television thrives on drama and often blurs the lines between private and public, the deliberate creation of misleading posts that cause genuine distress to family members, as evidenced by Ariana’s reaction, points to a concerning trend.
As Kim continues to navigate her public career and personal challenges, including her publicized divorce and financial difficulties, the impact of her social media choices on her children and her public image remains a critical aspect of her story. For Ariana, the emotional toll of such incidents is palpable, underscoring the real-life consequences of online sensationalism. The public, while often entertained by celebrity drama, also holds expectations for authenticity and sensitivity, especially when it comes to matters of life and death, or the emotional well-being of family members. The future will tell how these latest controversies shape Kim Zolciak’s career and her relationships within her family, particularly as they continue to live under the intense scrutiny of the public eye.