We get it. You’re lying in bed an hour into E! Network’s Keeping Up With the Kardashians marathon and wondering, “Why? How did I get here?”
There’s no need to be ashamed. We’ve all experienced this. Guilty-pleasure television can in one way or another consume our lives, and the Kardashian family is at the top of everyone’s list. However, you may be wondering why you have mixed feelings about this famous family, and we’re here to help you figure that out. Here is the breakdown on your complicated relationship with the Kardashians:
Why you love them
Loving the Kardashians isn’t always easy. Our favorite ladies whose names start with K know how to make it hard on us. Take Kylie and the controversy behind her suddenly plump lips. Tabloids and people everywhere were claiming she got plastic surgery, and yet she refused to comment on the rumors. You might have found yourself defending her time and time again. It wasn’t until an episode when she finally admitted to it that you realized she was a human being instead of simply a pop culture icon. At first, you might have been like, “Aha!” But then you listened to her talk about her insecurities and how she has spent almost her entire life in the spotlight, and you felt for her.
Sometimes the girls show natural and relatable human moments, and just like that you’re reminded of why you started watching them in the first place. They’re not perfect (though they may look it), but they all have their moments when you can see underneath the makeup and connect with them on a deeper level. Well, that and they have great style. No one can pull off an all-nude outfit quite like Kim Kardashian.
But deep down, the real reason you probably love and defend them is because they are, in fact, great businesswomen. They managed to take a name — their name — and cultivate both individual and collaborative brands that make them millions of dollars a year. They’ve been told many times that they have no talent, and yet they are some of the most well-known names in pop culture today. That’s a talent in and of itself.
Why you hate them
The list of reasons why you may not like the Kardashians could be a long one. Maybe you think Kim (or all of them) is too self-absorbed, that the family does everything for publicity or simply that everything is just too scripted. Whatever the reason, there’s something that keeps you watching. It could be the kind of car accident captivation, where you know you should look away but you can’t. Well, that just happens to be reality television for you. Just because you don’t buy into them doesn’t mean you can’t be entertained along the way.
Whether you love or hate the Kardashians (or a little of both), there’s just something about this family that keeps you coming back for more.
