Kim Kardashian’s bold lead acting debut in American Horror Story: Delicate leaves fans shocked

Kim Kardashian has taken on her biggest challenge yet onscreen –and fans have praised the reality TV star’s efforts.

Kim Kardashian is known for her reality TV prowess, thanks to her family’s long-running program, The Kardashians.

But now she has taken on her biggest challenge yet onscreen after stepping into her first leading role on a scripted TV series.

The 42-year-old media personality and entrepreneur made her big debut alongside Hollywood star Emma Roberts in the FX series American Horror Story: Delicate, which streams locally on BINGE from September 21.

Kim Kardashian stars in American Horror Story: Delicate with Emma Roberts. Picture: Binge

It is the highly anticipated Season 12 of the AHS franchise and Kardashian plays an ageing actress in the series, which has been described as a modern-day version of the classic 1968 horror film Rosemary’s Baby.

Stream American Horror Story: Delicate on BINGE. New BINGE customers get a 14-day free trial. Sign up at binge.com.au

It’s the reality TV star’s first lead acting role ever. Picture: Binge

In the show, Kardashian portrays the mysterious Siobhan Walsh who attempts to give much younger actress Anna Victoria Alcott (played by Roberts) advice as she faces IVF in her quest for motherhood.

And the bold role has seen Kardashian praised on Twitter for her performance.

Kim Kardashian did her thing. She had the odds stacked against her, but she was really giving actress. Props to you @KimKardashian 👏 #AHSDelicatepic.twitter.com/KtXoIPFTO8

— American Horror Source (@AHS_Source) September 21, 2023

new ahs actually looks to be slightly scary and have a lot of potential + kim surprised me her acting is decent #AHSDelicatepic.twitter.com/r9BciSSCxy

— 𝔪𝔞𝔱𝔱𝔶 P⃤ (@plasticfads) September 21, 2023

Dare I say, Kim was not bad.
She delivered her lines pretty cleanly. She gave the character some life and wasn't as monotone as we're used to seeing her. Kudos #AHS#AHSDelicate#AmericanHorrorStory

— Wilmer (@W1lmerSarmiento) September 21, 2023

Seeing people recognizing that Kim’s debut is actually fine is lowkey so gratifying after the months of people trashing her over her being cast #AHSDelicatepic.twitter.com/bH3K5GI7Z6

— leandre koffi (@leandek15) September 21, 2023

Wow, the premiere was soo good! I love my girl Emma! The husband is so SUS, I don’t trust him at all. & I enjoyed watching Kim; I was skeptical but she ate, the role is perfect for her! Excited for the rest of the season! #AHSDelicate

— Ashley (@princess_yelhsa) September 21, 2023

I knew Kim was gonna have a big part in this show but shes IN IT IN IT! Shes doing so good #AHSDelicate

— Jake (@dajakecalderon) September 21, 2023

i’m not going to lie, i’m loving kim kardashian’s character. she’s killing it. @AHSFX#AHSDelicate

— shelby jo 🫧 (@allstarfike) September 21, 2023

tonight is HER night! kim kardashian egot status incoming ✮ #AHSDelicatepic.twitter.com/YzGSPlY9Lt

— superficialdoll 𓆩ꨄ︎𓆪🎀 (@superficialxoxo) September 21, 2023

To mark Kardashian’s career move, let’s take a look back at her other noteworthy TV and film appearances.

Disaster Movie

Kardashian first dipped her toe in acting in the 2008 satire Disaster Movie that spoofed teen flicks such as High School Musical, Juno and Enchanted.

The movie also starred Vanessa Lachey and Carmen Electra and was about a group of friends who try to avoid an armageddon-type scenario. Kardashian played Lisa who – spoiler alert – gets crushed by a meteor.

In 2017, she admitted to not being a fan of her performance when asked about it on the ABC game show Big Fan.

“I’m mortified, if you have the clip,” she said. “I can’t watch.”

Starring alongside Vanessa Lachey in Disaster Movie.

How I Met Your Mother

She also made a brief cameo on the popular sitcom How I Met Your Mother in 2009.

In the comedy, the star plays herself, appearing in a magazine cover that comes to life.

Kardashian poses on the front of a mag Jason Segel’s character Marshall is reading, before she comes to life to give him advice.

“Shakespeare wrote: ‘Virtue is bold and goodness never fearful,’” she tells him from inside the mag.

He responds: “You’re right, super hot lady who my wife keeps telling me why you’re famous but I keep forgetting.”

She played herself in How I Met Your Mother.

2 Broke Girls

Kardashian plays herself again in 2 Broke Girls, making a brief appearance in the Season 4 premiere of the sitcom.

In the episode, Caroline and Max’s cupcake business was scheduled to appear on an episode of Keeping Up With The Kardashians, but the plan fell through.

To apologise, Kardashian arrives to the girls’ bakery to buy a cake personally.

“I know how hard us girls work to keep our businesses going,” she tells them on the show.

Later in an onset interview with Entertainment Tonight, Kardashian said: “I’ve done acting a little bit, but it’s not typically what I do. It’s always fun to just get out and do something new and fun.”

Making a cameo on 2 Broke Girls.

Kardashian in Drop Dead Diva.

Drop Dead Diva

The star got a bigger taste of Hollywood in 2012 in the comedy series, Drop Dead Diva.

Playing Nikki LePree in four episodes, Kardashian is a con artist who cheats Stacy (played by April Bowlby) out of her savings.

Nikki soon ditches her designer gear for orange prison scrubs after she’s jailed for her crime.

“I’m ecstatic to welcome Kim to the Diva family,” said creator and executive producer Josh Berman told E! News at the time.

“In discussing the role of Nikki with her, I’m blown away by her smarts, sense of humour and passion.”