The Kardashian Kingdom
The Kardashians: America’s first family according to the Cosmopolitan Magazine, are the epitome and poster child of reality TV. They are public figures, businesswomen, writers, makeup gurus, fashion experts, and they are the stars of one of the most prominent reality TV shows around. “Keeping up with the Kardashians”, which is amongst some of the longest running reality TV shows, is in season 14 of its reign, and it doesn’t seem to be ending anytime soon.
Looking at the Kardashian’s laundry list of accomplishments now, it’s easy to see why they are so successful. Smart business moves, keeping up their image in the public eye and the constant stream of riveting personal dramas in their lives, captured authentically and perfectly edited for the world to see, has kept them reappearing on our dashboards to entertain us.
Photo: E! Tv
However, how did they even get here? How did the Kardashians shoot to fame by doing presumably nothing? Was it Kim’s infamous sex tape that set the Kardashian’s up for success? Delving into the Kardashian family history, we can attempt to figure out the humble beginnings of this empire.
The Kardashian name first made its way into newspapers through Robert Kardashian, father of the Kardashian Klan. Robert first became well-known in 1995 for his part in OJ Simpson’s trial as his defence attorney. With their father’s successful career and connections to big names in the entertainment industry, the Kardashians were guaranteed a relatively luxurious life ahead.
Fast forward to 2006, the Kardashian sisters opened a clothing store named Dash, and Kim was working for Paris Hilton as her stylist. Paris’s notoriety as a drama queen and her image of being “famous for doing nothing” pushed Kim’s name into the public sphere, as their friendship and professional relationship became entertainment news. However, at this point, Kim was still relatively unknown. Today, Paris is known as the first “Kim Kardashian”. Kim’s own persona, especially in the early years of her fame, is very much inspired by Paris Hilton.
The explosion of the Kardashian name was unprecedented. The scandalous sex tape of Kim and Ray J was leaked all over the news and Kim’s name was blasted on every available entertainment news outlet headlines. Kim’s otherwise dim spotlight was instantly brightened as the American public started to react to Kim’s ‘dirty deed’. Kris Jenner, the Kardashian Klan’s Mother and Kim’s manager, is a shrewd and smart woman. Before the flame of Kim’s misdeeds could blow over, she gripped onto Kim’s infamy and helped Kim follow in Paris Hilton’s footsteps. Kris, with help from other influential celebrities like Ryan Seacrest, introduced the huge blended Kardashian family to the world. And so, the Kardashian’s rule began.
The inner workings of the ever-fascinating Kardashian family dynamics were streamed for the world to see, judge and talk about. The Kardashians deserve credit where due: a house full of beautiful girls, a life of luxury, and pure ridiculous drama stemming from the inherent personalities of the Kardashian’s and Jenner’s, sold the show to the curious American audiences. At this point, the Kardashians were famous only because of Kim, and Kim was famous because of her gorgeous looks, her celebrity connections, her drama queen persona and her intelligent ‘mom-ager’, Kris.
Photo: Getty Images
Over the years, the audience have been through seemingly everything with the Kardashians. From fairy-tale marriages to messy breakups, from near-death experiences to moments of absolute joy, we have gained a deeper understanding of the light and dark edge that fame has brought into their lives. Kris has capitalized on her daughters’ fame with inventive business strategies, enthralling interviews, and modelling opportunities. The Kardashian and Jenner sisters have started make-up, perfume and clothing lines, written books, and have started acting, modelling and talk show/radio hosting careers.
22 years ago, when Robert Kardashian name was first heard, no one would have guessed that this family name would remain in the headlines for decades to come. The Kardashians have changed with the times and have managed to stay relevant, interesting and popular through the years.
At the end of the day, shooting to fame can be considered relatively easy. Rebecca Black and PSY are prime examples of viral fame- but do people still talk about them? Perhaps we could attribute the origins of the Kardashian Kingdom to Kim’s own viral scandal. Or maybe it was Robert Kardashian’s connections that really set the stage for the family to take over entertainment news. In any case, a mix of circumstances sent the Kardashians spinning into the world of fame and fortune. Yet, it was intelligent career decisions that have kept them there all this time. No matter what people say or how they describe the Kardashians, we must admit that it’s certainly not easy to stay in the public eye, yet the Kardashians seem to have mastered this art.
So, if you bow down to the Kardashian Kingdom, like many others do, don’t be guilty! It certainly takes tons of talent and skill to achieve what the Kardashians have.