Despite having 15 businesses, 24 seasons of reality television documenting their lives, countless international magazine covers and an accumulated net worth of over $2 billion under their belt, the Kardashians still face questions about the validity of their fame.
And it seems even Kim Kardashian, the sibling who arguably started it all, still scratches her head about how exactly they got to where they are.
In the finale of The Kardashians season four, the Skims founder revealed her shock at her family’s success while reminiscing about their early days.
Celebrating Scott Disick‘s 40th birthday, Kris Jenner began an emotional toast, noting his enduring presence. how she had known him for
“You were literally here episode one, season 1,” the matriarch told the birthday boy, referencing their original reality series Keeping Up with the Kardashians.
“I was like, ‘This show’s going nowhere’,” Scott recalled.
Kim then gave an equally touching toast, praising their 19-year-long friendship and pointing out how he supported her “through thick and thin” and stood by her “through every phase”.
“[Remember] when you were on the cover of Dog Fancy?” Scott joked, to which the family clarified it was titled K9 Magazine.
“Anything for a cover!” Kim remarked, laughing about how she doesn’t even like dogs.
Scott returned the sentiment, reflecting on Kim’s journey to becoming a cover star ten times over and a lawyer. Addressing her family, Kim then paused to reflect.
“Guys, we scammed the system. We did it,” she said. “Whatever it is, we figured it out and did it! We put in some hard work.”
In the confessional interviews, Kim explained how Scott has always been a support while navigating her prolific fame.
“Scott’s my motivator. He’ll always say, ‘God, can you believe you did it?’ And I’m like, ‘I can’t, this is crazy’,” she said. “We aren’t supposed to be here, like, how did we get into this cool party? We weren’t the cool kids. How did we do it?”
The Kar-Jenner family changed life as we know it when Keeping Up with the Kardashians first premiered on E! in 2007. After 14 years and 20 seasons, the show ended in 2021 before their new reality series, The Kardashians, aired on Hulu.
Though her family’s influence continues to surprise her, the mother-of-four has previously admitted to being highly motivated by fame.
“Money was always the goal, but I was obsessed with fame, like, embarrassingly obsessed,” she said in an interview with Vogue Arabia in 2019. “I do agree that fame can be addictive. But now, my focus has shifted.”
Not everything has been smooth sailing with her family’s public image, but the billionaire has no regrets.
“Even in my darkest of times, I don’t regret putting myself out there for the world to see,” she told the outlet. “I love having a voice and I appreciate the platform that I have been given, even though I do wish I could have more privacy at times.”
