Sunday, May 10, 2015

Unless you’ve been living in a cave for the past several decades or were recently thawed out and unearthed from the Ice Age, chances are, you have heard of the Kardashians.  ”Why are they famous?” you may ask.  My simple and honest response: “I have no idea.”  You should know that I am somewhat in tune with pop culture, Hollywood celebrities, and the fashion world—I blame it on the day job.  It’s quite possible I could take it as a sign that I read too many fashion magazines because I’m certainly not watching  Access Hollywood on a nightly basis.  I just happen to have a gift for retaining useless knowledge, trivia and famous names.  Even though I possess a wealth of said unimportant knowledge, I still found myself googling “Why are the Kardashians famous?”

The short answer is this: their father, Robert Kardashian, was the famous attorney who represented OJ Simpson during the most publicized murder trial of the 90s.  That’s it.  Period.  I guess this just goes to show that, in life, it really is all about who you know.  Sure, the Kardashian sisters may get publicity for their long, dark flowing locks (which I can assure you are as fake as the breasts of all the Beverly Hills Housewives).  Their striking dark features enable them to stand out among the typical blonde bombshell type that resides in Malibu beach houses.  Other than that, they’ve simply gained their place in the public eye as a result of the family they were born into.  And if we’re being totally honest—it’s quite a train wreck of a family.

In a world where true talent abounds but often goes unnoticed and/or undiscovered, it’s rather disconcerting that talentless individuals grace the spotlight, basking in undeserved fame and fortune.  Call me a snob, but I don’t think one’s pedigree should influence his/her celebrity status.  Namely, one Paris Hilton.  She may be famous (or rather, infamous) for her wealthy ancestral line, but she hasn’t done one credible thing to earn her celebrity status.  Party going and posing in newspaper tabloids does not a celebrity make.  Or does it?Apparently, all you need to do these days in order to gain widespread attention is film and accidentally leak a scandalous sex tape.

Instantly, you’re catapulted into the spotlight, securing your spot on celebrity A lists, at which point, you’re free to marry other fame-seeking idiots and have a child who you will forever punish by giving him the most God-awful name known to exist (but that’s another topic for another time).  Now I’m fully prepared to receive hate mail from those of you who think Kanye West’s musical talent and Kim’s physical beauty entitle them to the fame and fortune they so enjoy, and I’m totally okay with that.  Let’s just agree to disagree on that right up front.  But regardless of Kanye’s talent as a musician, he has got to be one of the rudest, most self-absorbed individuals that ever graced the cover of a magazine, and Kim’s beauty is no more impressive than that of Marilyn Monroe, Elizabeth Taylor, or other  Hollywood starlets who didn’t need a seedy sex tape to gain public attention.  In short, someone for youngsters of today to call role models? I hardly think so.

At the end of the day, who really cares about “keeping up with the Kardashians?”  We are living in a world where the very same people who could tell you the name of Kim’s and Kanye’s baby (poor child) couldn’t in the same breath tell you who our current vice president is or list the three branches that make up the United States government.  Now please don’t misunderstand my rant—I’m not opposed to famous people receiving deserved recognition for utilizing their God-given talents and putting forth effort and hard work in chasing their dreams.  I’m simply sick and tired of celebrities gaining notoriety for nothing more than the prestige of their surnames.  Call me blunt, but I just have to say it.  Kim, your fifteen minutes of fame is wearing a little long and, quite frankly, I’m ready for your time to be up.