A book signing for Kim Kardashian West's "Selfish" at a midtown Manhattan Barnes & Noble Tuesday started out as a peaceful gathering of fans, but soon turned tense as animal rights activists transformed the gathering into a protest and a few fan altercations took place.
The book, which debuted this week, is full of selfies — some never before seen by the public — of Kardashian and her friends and family.
The star was at the store to meet and greet fans, and we went to check out the scene.
For all the details about the signing, click through this slideshow.
SEE ALSO: The internet is freaking out that Kim Kardashian may have copied Beyoncé's Met Gala dress
People were lined up outside Barnes & Noble, from the store's Fifth Avenue and 46th Street entrance to the middle of 46th and 47th streets, almost to Sixth Avenue.
"Selfish" came out yesterday and is actually Kardashian's second book. She co-authored "Kardashian Konfidential" with sisters Khloé and Kourtney in 2010.
Barnes & Noble employees were tasked with crowd control, continually asking Kim fans not to block the sidewalk.
Kardashian was ensconced on the second floor of the store. As guests continued to wait, the temperature outside climbed. Rumors flew that the air-conditioning was broken inside and that, worse yet, Kardashian would not be taking any selfies with fans.
Brendan McCann, center left, arrived at 6:15 a.m. to wait for Kardashian to sign his copies of "Selfish."
"I just love Kim," he said, "and I've never gotten a chance to meet her before. I love that she has this platform, especially with the stuff Bruce is going through... I think she has made girls feel more comfortable in curvy bodies."
When asked how he'd respond to people who might criticize anyone who buys a book of selfies, McCann said, "Look at the business side of it. This woman literally released a 450-page book of pictures of herself that she took on her phone, and has hundreds of people showing up to meet her... If I could sell my book of selfies for $20 at Barnes & Noble, I would too. Why wouldn't you?
See the rest of the story at Business Insider
