Susie O’Brien: The problem with worshipping at the altar of Kim Kardashian
SHE’S being called a ‘new global leader’, but Kim Kardashian only stands for herself, writes Susie O’Brien. Lots of fans does not a leader make.
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OUR new global leader is a narcissistic reality TV star and business mogul with a powerful social media presence.
It’s not US President Donald Trump, it’s Kim Kardashian.
Yes, Kim Kardashian — the one whose bum broke the internet.
A new book, The Kim Kardashian Priniciple by Jeetendr Sehdev, firmly positions Kardashian as the “new world leader”.
Sehdev, who calls himself the “world’s leading celebrity brand authority”, clearly knows a thing or two about achieving success through endless self-promotion rather than raw talent.
As Sehdev sees it, Kardashian is the perfect example of the “seismic shift” that illustrates how “shameless sells”.
“The megamix of vulnerability, narcissism, and sheer audaciousness has propelled Kim from reality-show laughing stock to cover girl and social media superstar,” he writes.
But what the book doesn’t do is explain the pitfalls of such self-centred narcissism.
Thanks to stars like Kardashian, anything goes, as long as you’re “real” and “authentic” even though no one seems to know what that actually means.
The problem, as I see it, is that under the Kim Kardashian Principle, no one is ever held accountable by any objective standard of good taste, or good manners, common sense or common good.
As Sehdev says, “your idea needs no apologies, especially if it’s representative of what you are or what you believe in”.
It’s like the online commentators who spew ignorance, venom and invective and think it’s acceptable because they’re just “saying what I really think”.
It’s like the self-centred, vacuous reality TV stars who defend themselves as being “true to who I am” without being held to account for their actions by others.
These days, however, few people dismiss the power of the Kardashian family as one of the most influential celebrity brands in the world.
At the centre of it all is Kim, who reigns above other celebrities with a TV show, gaming app, fashion line, appearances at every high-profile event, and an unparalleled social media reach. She has 50 million Twitter fans, 94 million followers on Instagram, and her trio of mobile apps Kimoji, Kim Kardashian West, and mobile game Kim Kardashian: Hollywood have made her millions and millions of dollars.
Among her legion of young fans, she’s more powerful than most world leaders and more influential than major companies.
But Kardashian is more to her fans than just a business brain; her fans love her because she is unapologetic for who she is and what she represents.
As Sehdev sees it, Kardashian is fearless, honest and unashamed. Her fans like her vulnerability, the candid nature of her posts and her lack of facade.
A key part of Kardashian’s success has been her ability to position herself as a self-made success with outsider cred despite her obvious insider status. When, at 35, she appeared on the cover of Forbes magazine, she was smart enough to distance herself from the establishment.
“I know my Dad would be so proud #NotBadForAGirlWithNoTalent” she tweeted.
Kardashian’s fans also admire her for her fearless ability to stand up to her detractors. When she was trolled by actor Bette Midler for posting naked selfies, Kardashian refused to be shamed. She posted another nude pic with the caption “#liberated”.
Such sexualised femininity is popular among younger women, who admire Kardashian’s body confidence. This form of liberation from caring about what others think is powerful, albeit convenient because it’s devoid of any overtly political overtones.
But, as the Millennials are rapidly finding out, there’s no sense of community or responsibility for anyone else in such a dystopian paradise.
For instance, Kardashian is widely praised for being in control of her images, which ensures that “no one exposes Kim but Kim,” writes Sehdev. As Kardashian herself puts it: “I have the control to put out what I want, so even if I’m objectifying myself, I feel good about it”.
But, really, where’s the self-respect in exposing yourself? In objectifying yourself? In not caring about what those around you think of you?
Right now, cracks are starting to show in political leaders appointed, not by the establishment but the people — such as One Nation’s Pauline Hanson and US President Donald Trump.
And it’s only reasonable to expect that as the Millennials grow older and wiser, they will realise that worshipping celebrities who have little more than their own flaws and flagrant self-promotion to recommend themselves will soon feel pretty shallow.
The problem with The Kim Kardashian Principle is that when you’re defined solely “by your refusal to be defined” it can leave you empty of any real meaning. When “oversharing is obligatory”, you can have nothing left for yourself. And it’s hard to be “authentic” when you don’t know what you stand for.
I acknowledge her success, but I don’t see her as a genuine leader because all she ultimately stands for is herself.
Twitter @susieob
Facebook.com/newswithsuse
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