North West has made her solo festival debut, with the 12-year-old cheered on by mom Kim Kardashian as she took to the stage.
On Friday, June 12, the 12-year-old daughter of Kim and Kanye West performed at Lyrical Lemonade’s Summer Smash 2026 music festival in Illinois, receiving rapturous applause from the crowd inside the tent. Kim, 45, was joined by her friend and stylist, Dan Levi, and the pair shared behind-the-scenes moments with followers, as well as joining Kanye, who was not in attendance, in posting videos captured by the festival’s team.
Backstage passe with North West’s face on them (Kim Kardashian)
One picture revealed their backstage passes had North’s face on them, and the words “Stage 3 … North West”.
For her first live solo performance, North appeared in what has quickly become her go-to uniform, wearing head-to-toe black Balenciaga with a pleated mini skirt and sweater, and turning the style from preppy to goth with a spiky bracelet, chunky black sneaker boots, and huge black sunglasses. Her long hair was dyed blue and in high pigtails.
Kim and North pose for a selfie (Kim Kardashian)
The performance came six weeks after North released her debut EP, N0rth4Evr, on May 1, and she sang several tracks from the EP, as well as her 2024 collaboration with Kanye, “TALKING,” with the crowd singing along to the lyrics.
The titular debut single has a pop-rock edge, with lyrics that touch on the pressures of growing up in the spotlight. “Forever and always, I don’t listen, but they talk about me all day,” she sings, hinting at the scrutiny that comes with being part of one of the world’s most famous families.
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The preteen’s family showed support for her new adventure, with several relatives, including her uncle Rob Kardashian, aunt Khloe Kardashian and grandmother Kris Jenner, sharing posts on Instagram showing themselves streaming and listening to her music.
Days after the release of her new music, North also appeared for a surprise performance at the Rolling Loud music festival in Florida, joining rapper Molly Santana.
North previously received backlash for her finger piercings (YouTube)
North is the eldest of Kim and Kanye’s four children – siblings Saint, Chicago and Psalm – and, while still young, she’s already stepping confidently into her own spotlight, even amid growing criticism for what appear to be several facial piercings.
North has been pictured with piercings placed under one eye and near the bridge of her nose, as well as dermal finger piercings. Even though it has not been confirmed if the piercings were real, North has shown little interest in the backlash, previously addressing critics in a TikTok post that dismissed the controversy.
She posted a TikTok in December in which she mimed to the sound-byte: ‘Why are you crying? How old are you? Just pull it together,’ with a caption that read: “This is for everyone that’s mad over a finger piercing.”
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