Entertainment | September 13th, 2020
We Will No Longer be ‘Keeping Up With The Kardashians’
By: Tazjhani Baker
Kim Kardashian West recently announced “Keeping Up With the Kardashians” is ending after its upcoming season. “Season 20, the final season, is set to air in early 2021,” West posted via Instagram.
“It is with heavy hearts that we’ve made the difficult decision as a family to say goodbye to Keeping Up with the Kardashians,” West wrote. “After what will be 14 years, 20 seasons, hundreds of episodes and numerous spin-off shows, we are beyond grateful to all of you who’ve watched us for all of these years – through the good times, the bad times, the happiness, the tears, and the many relationships and children. We’ll forever cherish the wonderful memories and countless people we’ve met along the way.”
For decades, the entertainment industry has been invested in reality series that promotes the idea of luxury. So many of us have been exposed to a more glamorous lifestyle through the shows we love such as MTV’s “My Super Sweet 16”, ABC’s “The Bachelor” and VH1’s “Flavor of love”. These reality series have kept us all entertained for years. However, none of these shows seem to have had the longevity nor created quite as much buzz as the infamous “Keeping up With the Kardashians.”
Despite the many controversies the show has caused over the decades, the Kardashian-Jenner crew is always finding themselves at the center of pop culture. Their love life, idolized bodies and dynamic sisterhood empire seemingly captivates the world’s attention. Their looks and endeavors, both social and even political, are always breaking news and causing discussions both on and offline.
Daja Jackson, a Florida A&M University student, said that though she doesn’t watch the Kardashians she feels like she can’t escape them. “The media is always pushing the Kardashian-Jenner agenda,” Jackson said. “It’s almost impossible to get on social media or even to turn on your television without keeping up with the Kardashians.”
While Kim broke the news via Instagram, Khloe Kardashian took to twitter. In a tweet, the third oldest sister wrote: “I love you guys so much!!! Thank you for everything!!! The emotions are overflowing today. Change is tough but sometimes needed. I can’t express how much I love and appreciate you guys.”
I love you guys so much!!! Thank you for everything!!! The emotions are overflowing today ❤️💋💔 change is tough but sometimes needed. I can’t express how much I love and appreciate you guys
— Khloé (@khloekardashian) September 8, 2020
“I feel that the Kardashians have a large influence on American women. They have changed the standard for beauty by making curvature trendy,” said Jhana Harvey, a third-year business administration student. “I am sad to see the show end because honestly, it was my guilty pleasure, it was a funny show and really insightful to see how rich people live.”
One apparent thing is that with or without the show this family has had such a long career in the public eye that our televisions will definitely be a little emptier without the antics of Khloe, the wit of Kourtney and all of Kim’s ugly crying. Each member of the clan has individually or as a collective delved into fragrances, books, clothing lines, makeup and modeling — all of which will allow for them to have continued success long after their final season.
“…No matter how you feel about the Kardashians, you can’t deny that they have made the best out of their situations and taken every opportunity they were given to update their life status,” said FAMU student Sade George.
While the show is seen as the ending of an era for some, it is the light at the end of a tunnel for others. While many KUWTK fans have expressed their sadness and overwhelming emotions, a lot of people have shown pure excitement about the news of the show finally ending. Tweets such as “Wow, I guess there is something good about 2020 after all” have begun and it seems like some people have been waiting for this moment for a while now. There have been battling sides on the Kardashian-Jenner family for years with many parents arguing that they promote impossible beauty standards.
The beauty standards that the Kardashian-Jenner clan perpetuate have also caught a lot of backlash from those who feel that their looks are too “ethnic” and receive praise for the very thing African-American women are discouraged for. An example is Kim Kardashian West’s affinity for braided hairstyles, a style significant to Black culture. The braids are just one example; as a collective, the family has been called out for tanning too dark, plumping their lips, and of course, their infamous butts. All of these traits are what many believe are modeled after the natural looks of black women.
Regardless, the impact of the Kardashian- Jenner family is undeniable. The argument on whether the show will be missed from television or not is debatable. However, one thing is for certain and that is, that the people who love their Kardashian drama will be keeping up with the Kardashians elsewhere from now on.
