The Kardashian family, once an unassailable force in pop culture and reality TV, is now grappling with a significant downturn in their $3 billion business empire and waning public interest. After an extraordinary 15-year tenure as a cultural phenomenon, the Kardashians seem to be confronting the reality of fading relevance and diminishing returns.
Sources close to the family (via National Enquirer) have noted several indicators that the Kardashians' reign may be nearing its end. Criticisms of their once-popular reality TV series as lackluster and a significant drop in their social media dominance are among the prominent signs of their declining cultural importance. "People have been saying the Kardashians' goose is cooked for years but they've stubbornly defied all expectations. This time seems different, though," an insider disclosed.
In 2021, Kylie Jenner was Instagram's most popular woman with 290 million followers, but she has since dropped to fourth place, surpassed by celebrities like Selena Gomez and soccer stars Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi. Similarly, Kim Kardashian's engagement rate per post has plummeted to a mere .59 percent. "There's no denying that interest in them is slipping, and the numbers prove it," an insider remarked.
Kris Jenner, the 68-year-old matriarch and manager of the family, is reportedly scrambling to devise new strategies to sustain the family's fame and fortune. However, the task seems increasingly daunting as public fatigue with the Kardashians grows.
Recent PR scandals have further dented the family's once-impenetrable brand. For instance, Shanna Moakler, the ex-wife of Kourtney Kardashian's husband, Travis Barker, accused the Kardashians of parental alienation. In 2020, Kim Kardashian faced backlash for throwing a lavish birthday party on a private island during the COVID pandemic. The family's response to these criticisms, often perceived as tone-deaf, has only intensified public scrutiny.
Kylie Jenner's self-made billionaire claims, refuted by Forbes, have also contributed to the erosion of the family's credibility. These controversies collectively have impacted not only individual members but the entire Kardashian brand.
Their new Hulu show has not been spared either. Critics and fans alike have panned the show for its negativity, scripted scenes, and avoidance of certain family events. Currently rated at a meager 30 percent on Rotten Tomatoes and 2.5 stars on Google, the show's future beyond this year remains uncertain. "Kris would love to keep it going for another decade because it's the only way for them to stay relevant, but based on audience numbers and fan reaction, that doesn't seem likely," a source revealed.
The Kardashians' fall from grace reflects a broader shift in cultural tastes and a growing weariness of their brand of celebrity. Once hailed for their savvy use of social media and reality TV to build a multi-billion-dollar empire, the Kardashians now face the challenging task of reinventing themselves in an ever-evolving cultural landscape. As their traditional avenues of influence wane, the family may need to explore new strategies to remain relevant in a world that increasingly seeks authenticity and substance over sensationalism.
