When I was growing up in the early 2000s, my mom was always watching the newest episode of the cable network E!’s hit reality show Keeping Up With The Kardashians. I specifically remember being in awe watching Kim lose her diamond earring for the first time after her ex-husband, Kris Humphries, threw her into the water during the family’s extravagant Bora Bora vacation. The episode aired in 2011, as the Kardashians’ reality show was exceeding new heights. Long before this episode became a widespread meme, ten-year-old me was shocked.

I remember using my grandma’s computer to search “Kim loses her diamond earring” on YouTube. I showed my cousin and said, “Look how rich they are.” Even at that young age, I was amazed by their extreme wealth, and also entertained by the ridiculousness of the situations they encountered in their reality show. Alexis King ‘22 states that she has a “love-hate relationship” with the Kardashians, saying, “I don’t love the Kardashians, but I grew up watching them with my mom. We would bond over their dumb decisions, so I think for some people, especially me, it’s a form of nostalgia. I can still keep up with the Kardashians today and watch them like I did when I was little.”

Many people thought that the Kardashians’ fame would not last, and eventually their reality show would fizzle out, making them irrelevant. However, they continue to become increasingly prominent within popular culture. Long-time Kardashian fan Aaliyah Sanders says, “Kim is the Marilyn Monroe of our generation. She profits on the fact of her being sexualized. And she is just as controversial and a pop culture icon, just like Marilyn.”

The Kardashians are very controversial figures, but still seem to be at the focal point of popular culture. The family dominates social media; with Kylie Jenner being the second most followed account on Instagram with 354 million followers, Kim Kardashian being the seventh most followed account on Instagram with 316 million followers, and Khloe Kardashian being the tenth most followed account on Instagram with 279 million followers. Even with a mass amount of haters, the family is still able to set trends with their brands, such as SKIMS–Kim Kardashian’s shapewear and clothing brand.

However, the family is not innocent, as they have done some inexcusable things. The Kardashians have often exploited and profited off of Black women’s aesthetics and have appropriated traditional African American hairstyles. Kim, Khloe, Kendall, and Kylie have all worn traditional African hairstyles such as cornrows and Fulani braids, which originated in Western Africa. Khloe has also been seen wearing Bantu Knots, which originated in Southern Africa, and faced well-deserved backlash after attempting to mimic Diana Ross’s look at the singer’s 75th birthday. Although these are only a few examples, the history of the Kardashian-Jenner women appropriating African culture must be acknowledged. They have and continue to profit off of these styles meanwhile Black women in America face discrimination everyday for wearing cultural and protective styles.

The Kardashians have also received backlash for promoting unrealistic and unhealthy beauty standards. The sisters are often accused of having extensive plastic surgery—although some still deny that they have had it—Similarly, their brands, such as Kylie Cosmetics and SKIMS, have been subjected to criticism as many people accuse them of profiting off of common insecurities faced by femme-identifying people. However, Khloe’s jean brand Good American markets an extensive size range and inclusivity for all bodies. Despite having the motives of their brands questioned, the sisters have still had the privilege to create successful and well-known companies.

Before becoming successful business leaders, the Kardashian family changed reality TV for good—and the rules of the reality TV genre. After 20 seasons of Keeping Up With The Kardashians on E!, the classic and groundbreaking reality TV series ended. However, the Kardashians did not disappear from the spotlight. The family now produces their own Hulu show titled The Kardashians which has amassed viewers that both love and hate the family, but are entertained nonetheless.

Why is American popular culture so infatuated with this family? Lauren Germani ‘24 says, “I think it’s because, at the end of the day, they are entertaining, and I feel like they share a lot about their crazy experiences. There are both normal and abnormal things. It’s fun to see the crazy things the rich and famous do, which can be enjoyed by the fans, but nitpicked by the haters.”

Our Love/Hate Relationship With The Kardashians