The Kardashians are a phenomenon which many people – both genuinely and wilfully – seem to struggle to comprehend. They’re probably the most famous family in the world, and yet middle-aged men frequently respond to coverage of them with such witty repartee as, “What’s a Kardashian?” “Isn’t she the one with a sex tape?” And, of course, “Aren’t they the family that are famous for being famous?”
The Kardashians (and in particular Kim Kardashian West) made their fame and money through non-traditional routes. A sex tape boosted the success of an already planned reality TV show, which in turn sparked paid public appearances, photoshoots, several spin-offs and, later, branded social media posts. But Kardashian West never coasted on her success, continuing to find ways to monetise a life lived in the spotlight. She brought out mobile video games, emoji packs, and pay-to-view lifestyle apps. These ideas seemed faintly ridiculous when they were first announced, but they are now an accepted revenue stream for many social media star profiles.
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