THE KARDASHIANS:
10 YEARS ON Kim Kardashian West on her clan’s rise to über-fame.
Just when you thought there could be nothing new to learn about the world’s most famous reality-tv family, think again. Season 14 of Keeping Up With the Kardashians (screening Mondays at 9.30 PM on E!) “has a lot of surprises,” hints Kim Kardashian West. “This season is getting back to fun. It’s super exciting. You’ll see the new relationships ... Everyone’s going to love it.” To mark KUWTK’S decade on air, the star, 37, reflects on the highs and lows of family life in the spotlight.
Did you ever imagine Keeping Up With the would become such an empire?
Kardashians We definitely had no idea. We thought we were going to do it for one season, maybe two. When
we first started doing the show we were opening up [their boutique] Dash and I thought the show would bring attention to the store, but I had no idea what was to come.
Do you ever watch previous episodes and cringe at things you or your family said or did?
Absolutely. I look back and think, “How was my voice that high?” It’s so funny to hear what we would talk about and what we could fight about. There was one time we fought over a Bentley, and looking back it was so stupid and materialistic ... I cringe more at my outfits than anything.
What have you learnt after 10 years on TV?
I think that everything we go through in life is a big lesson, and I have learnt to live a simpler life after my situation in Paris. I think I used to put so much emphasis on material things and it made me realise how unimportant they are ... It makes me have a totally different perspective on life, and about my relationships with people, and my kids and my family, to cherish everything ... Overall, the one main
lesson that we learnt is that we are stronger in numbers, and stronger as a family together.
What’s been the toughest moment or decision of the past 10 years?
The toughest thing probably, personally—my situation that I went through last year in Paris. That was a big eye-opener and a big lifechanger for me. But I would also say Caitlyn’s transition was pretty tough, just for the family.
Has the show made you and your family stronger?
Absolutely. I mean, we were always a really close family, and we were always together, but I think that knowing that we work with each other every single day and we spend so much time together has definitely made us stronger. When we are filming, if we, say, get into a fight, we always want to make up because we know the next day we are going to have to work together ... it’s like therapy to us.
Do you feel the Kardashians have been a force for good?
Yeah, I think it is amazing that we can use our voices, whether it was when we were in New Orleans and Hurricane Katrina hit and we helped a family completely refurbish their home; or us going to Armenia at the 100-year anniversary of the genocide ... I love having a platform ... and show all the craziness, but we show real-life situations and help other people, and that’s such a big part of life.
Do you have a favourite KUWTK meme?
My cry face. I made it into a Kimoji, so I think it’s probably the most iconic one and it is funny. I look so ugly crying that I have to make fun of it.
Kendall and Kylie have grown up in public— how did you help them deal with success?
You know, they are really smart girls and they always know what they want. Especially Kylie, she knows exactly what she wants so we never had to give her much advice ... [but] there is definitely advice I have given them over the years, like to have a thick skin and don’t worry about what people are saying.
Your highs and lows of motherhood?
The best part is that you are constantly filled with love and joy, and I am obsessed with my babies. The most stressful part is when you have “mom guilt”—when you feel guilty if you have to go to work, or leave and you’re not there with them.
How do you keep the kids grounded in the middle of this hectic life?
That is actually a huge priority for me and my husband and my family. It’s how my sister has raised her kids and it’s just really making sure they live as normal a life as possible.
Will KUWTK ever end?
When it stops being fun. I get to work with my family every single day, so I think it is such a blessing and an amazing job. So, right now, I would say I hope it never ends. We definitely go through those moments where we want a break from filming, but right now, I’m really having fun with it.
You recently said you were surprised Jennifer Lawrence was one of your fans. Who would people be surprised to know you’re a fan of?
I am such a huge fan of Jennifer Lawrence so it was just really cute and exciting to see her say that. I don’t think it’s a secret but I’m a big fan of Cher and I am a huge fan of Celine Dion.
How does it feel to be Kim Kardashian West— a name on everyone’s lips, all over the world?
I don’t know! It’s exciting. I am loving life, I really can’t complain. I’m just having fun with it.