One of the projects I was assigned, for my contemporary media class last spring, was selecting either a celebrity or a brand, and analyze their media influence. Nike, Starbucks, Taco Bell, Justin Bieber, McDonalds ... all up for grabs. Imagine my surprise when my group chose Kylie Jenner of all people. "What does she even do?" was my first question. I never really understood people who either 1) Are famous by association to someone else or 2) Are famous for just existing. It's arduous to wrap my mind around people such as Paris Hilton, Snookie and the Jersey Shore cast, Speidi, and even Amber Rose. People who are famous for being famous. The real dilemma I have is that we are the reason they are famous. I am even making them more famous by choosing to write about them, it's horrifying. Now, do not mistake me, I love a good reality show. The Real World has lasted for twenty plus seasons because the general population has accepted reality TV as a thoroughly entertaining past time. But upon researching Miss Jenner, I learned that her media influence is heavier than that of President Obama. Over eighteen million followers on Instagram, over eight million followers on twitter, and those numbers are rising. Millions of people care what she is watching, wearing, reading, and thinking. Millions of people know her favorite shade of lipstick and what she wore to Coachella last year. Millions.
I am a twitter troll. There is no point in trying to hide or deny it ... I am absolutely infatuated with the twitter sphere and my instantaneous exposure to memes, information, controversy, breaking news, ideas, motivation. I also like lots of attention (I am a Leo ... we crave it.) I would donate a kidney for that kind of media presence. But at the end of they day, why? The amount of backlash I receive from people when I outwardly express my discontent for the entire Kardashian following that has emerged is alarming. Genuine feelings of admiration and adoration over this family makes me cringe. The ongoing debates over facial reconstructive surgery and the poor decision to wear lipstick outside the confines of your lip line make me cringe. The national discussions over a rap star canoodling with a girl who holds more power and a fatter bank account statement than a Nobel Prize winner make me cringe. When people ask who my role model is, I giggle and automatically reply, Beyoncé . But in all seriousness, my role models are people with passion, determination, motivation, drive: zero of which the Kardashian family possess. The only thing this family possesses is a hell of a lot of luck, and undeserved media influence.
If you ask me, Amber Rose was one hundred percent accurate in her initial public slams against the K clan. When you make your living off of exposing your deluded family lifestyle to the public, you lose your right to privacy. For the Kardashian family to ever pull the, "learn the entire story before you pass judgment," card is ludicrous. They should be happy that twenty million people care enough to make public comments about who one of their family members is dating. If no one talked about them, they would remain the poorly dressed awkward background ensemble in Paris Hilton's cameos. I am ready for a new American family, please (preferably one who does not cash in on sass, seduction, and scandals). Actually, I am ready for a new American standard, please (preferably one that admires success through hard work and diligence).
