The Kardashians

THE KARDASHIAN KONUNDRUM

HIT REALITY SHOW ENDS BUT LEGACY LIVES ON

WITH THE FLICK OF A the superstar family millions of fans as well image is often misconstrued by the public, switch, a space once con- as nine Teen’s Choice Awards and eight where people fail to recognize the value of sumed by darkness is illuminated in seconds. Desolate, beige walls encompass a crib in the corner of the room, where a child waits. On the other side of the room, with one hand E! People’s Choice Awards. The show’s popularity pushed the Kardashian-Jenner clan into mainstream “I almost felt empathy for them, and that’s kind of one of the reasons I the show. “One thing I always felt is that they were certainly misunderstood,” on the light switch, a woman sings. “Rise and shine.” media, where the family has taken adcontinued to watch the Romfh says. “When I would

This four-second clip from reality TV vantage of their over- show. ” talk with the adults star Kylie Jenner’s YouTube channel has whelming success. — KIRTANA ROMFH, junior in my life, their imgarnered over 18.8 million views to date, Palo Alto High mediate reaction to going viral across platforms such as Twitter School junior Kirtana Romfh started talking about the Kardashians was, ‘Oh, and TikTok in videos where users remixed watching “KUWTK” in sixth grade, and my god, they’re always just sexualizing their Jenner’s vocals or added comedic commentary. A week after the video clip’s success, Jenner released hood“I was just like ‘Well, look at Kylie Jenner. She wears it. She looks has been staying up to date ever since. “They do experience a lot of backlash online, especialbodies, they use their bodies for money. They’re just fake.’” Kapitalizing on TV fame Jenner’s family shares the same talent ies with the words “rise ly because they’re of latching onto any opportunity for sucand shine” imprinted great. And that’s some- just so well known,” cess. Kim Kardashian, Jenner’s older sister, on the sleeves and filed thing I want to have.’” Romfh says. “I al- was ridiculed for her crying face on an epia trademark applica- most felt empathy sode of “Kourtney and Kim take New York” tion for the phrase. — KIRTANA ROMFH, junior for them, and that’s — one of the 12 spin-offs of “KUWTK.”

Considering Jen- kind of one of the Kardashian wasted no time in producing ner’s knack for selling products — with her reasons that I continued to watch the show, shirts, hoodies, iPhone cases and decals, all namesake brand, Kylie Cosmetics, valued and really continue to be into the Kar- adorned with her crying face. at $1.2 billion in January 2020 — it comes dashians.” The Kardashian-Jenner family boasts as no surprise that these hoodies sold out business ventures beyond these one-time almost immediately, according to technol- Kommon konceptions cash grabs, with Kim’s KKW Beauty and ogy news website The Verge. Jenner’s fame It seems as if the public has never SKIMS shapewear, Khloe’s Good American can be attributed to her role in the hit re- reached a consensus on what to think of the denim and Kylie’s Kylie Cosmetics among ality TV show, “Keeping up with the Kar- Kardashians. Though described as talentless the most successful. Not unlike their realdashians.” and undeserving by some and cunning en- ity TV show, the brands are popular and

First airing on Oct. 14, 2007 and fin- trepreneurs by others, the magnitude of products often sell out instantly. The Karishing its final episode on June 10 this year, their success is undeniable. dashian-Jenner clan has built an empire of the 20 seasons of “KUWTK” have given According to Romfh, the Kardashians’ wealth, further propagated by their social

PERFECT PICTURE — Kardashian-Jenner family member Kris Jenner leans to take a picture of her daughter Kim Kardashian. This moment from the reality show “Keeping up with the Kardashians” is one of many that went viral on social media.

“They will still be a huge part of pop culture.”

— KIRTANA ROMFH, junior

media presences where they flaunt their glamorous lifestyle.

Romfh has firsthand experience with the Kardashian-Jenners’ use of social media marketing to advertise their products.

“I was just kind of not even thinking about ‘Do I need that product?’” Romfh says. “I just was like, ‘Well, look at Kylie Jenner. She wears it. She looks great. And that’s something I want to have.’”

The Kardashian-Jenners are not restricted to business ventures. On April 26, Kylie Jenner’s mother, Caitlyn Jenner, announced her run for governor of California following a campaign to recall Governor Gavin Newsom. Running as a Republican, Jenner garnered support from 6% of voters, according to an LA Times poll.

Romfh predicts that with the shift away from constant TV coverage, the Kardashians will put more effort in their entrepreneurship.

“I think so many people really feel like they’ve seen inside their homes, they’ve seen them in ... every moment in their life,” Romfh says. “So I think maybe there’ll be a shift more of a focus on those business things they do.”

While the Kardashians were wealthy before their show premiered, “KUWTK” has been vital to their influence. However, “KUWTK” is no longer an important factor in maintaining the family’s status.

“There’s so many different aspects and so many different branches that I don’t feel like this is the end of the Kardashians,” Romfh says. “They’re celebrities, so there’ll be plenty of other business opportunities and things where they will still be a huge part of pop culture.” v