Did Kim Kardashian Actually #BreakTheInternet? (NSFW)
Kim Kardashian's claim to fame was the infamous 2007 leak of her sex tape with ex-boyfriend Ray J. There's no escaping the fact. The fall of 2007 found Kardashian and her family make their reality TV debut on E!'s Keeping Up with the Kardashians. The rest, they say, is history. In the seven years that have followed, Kardashian has faced criticism over being "famous for being famous," a long line of fashion endorsements, an ill-received marriage (and whirlwind divorce) to NBA player Kris Humphries, a few forgettable film roles, and marriage to your favorite rapper's favorite rapper, Kanye West. As is the norm in pop culture these days, celebrities are shoved down our throats in grocery store tabloids, gossip sites, and social media.
By now, everybody is aware of Paper's tantalizing photo spread and fluff piece on the most famous Kardashian. I have no real criticism with writer Amanda Fortini's expose on Kim beyond its "written just to be written" subject matter. However, in the 24-hour timetable from Kardashian's mooning of the internet to the full article and photo spread release, was the internet actually broken?
If there's anything that will get people talking, it's sex. And for that, well done Paper. Instead of creating some interesting, creative, and compelling content, you paired up with one of pop culture's most powerful female figures (for better or worse), paired her with an unbelievably talented photographer in Jean-Paul Goude, and worked to the lowest common denominator to boost site traffic, increase sales for a physical magazine in the wake of print's dying culture, and get people talking.
But what's more important? Becoming a trending topic or actually breaking the internet with something worthwhile of being considered "groundbreaking"? I understand the importance of embracing pop culture and entertainment when running a media outlet - obviously - and I understand how celebrity can make or break an outlet's popularity and sheer survival in a wide-open internet where we're all competing for hits, Twitter mentions, and Facebook likes. But with articles like Paper's "No Filter: An Afternoon with Kim Kardashian," where's the substance? As Kim joked herself on Twitter, "Because we know you came just [to] read the article..." she understands and acknowledges just how empty the article really was.
So here we are now, with pro-Kim crowds embracing how her Mom boobs really did #BreakTheInternet and anti-Kim crowds calling for people to #FixTheInternet. For a pop culture entity who has tried (and succeeded... at times) to legitimize herself since the sex tape, what do these photos ultimately say about Kim Kardashian, the person and the brand? Is she fully realizing who she is and accepting that which propelled her to stardom in the first place? Or is all of this an attempt to stay relevant before her relevancy runs the risk of fading?
It's too early to tell. And ultimately, what does it matter in the end? You're all here just to "read the article" anyways, right?
Vogue's Keeping Up with Kimye Controversy
Photos by Annie Leibovitz
In the latest pop culture news, it's been hard to avoid Kim Kardashian and Kanye West's current controversy as they grace Vogue Magazine's April 2014 cover, including an exclusive family editorial spread. Although the magazine print doesn't actually hit stands until March 31st, there was a total social media uproar over Vogue's decision to feature what they hashtagged: #worldsmosttalkedaboutcouple. And even though the photos were shot by well respected celebrity photographer Annie Leibovitz, it seems celebrities and subscribers alike addressed more negative feedback than positive. Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour even had to put out a statement defending her decision and even debunked accusations that Kanye paid her to do the feature.
All in all let's face the facts, Vogue is still going to sell copies, and will probably have one of it's more successful month's because of the controversy. Also, whether anyone likes it or not, the couple proves to be some of the most influential people in the fashion industry, and the issue emphasizes that. It's even profiled by famed fashion writer Hamish Bowles outlining Kim's fashion influences as she searches for the perfect wedding dress. Let's also not forget that it's refreshing to see an interracial couple on Vogue's cover, period. For the most part, the cover is typically seen with elegant, pretty, skinny, white actresses, and there's nothing wrong with that. However, let us remind you that the last time a black man was put on its cover, it was in reference to King Kong. And even if this is a colossal misstep on Vogue’s part, for Kim and Kanye, it’s just another round of media attention, and exactly what they set out to do. So who do you think wins out in all of this?
Check out some of recently leaked photos and tell us what you think. Also take a look at their full behind-the-scenes video feature. To read the full article from the April issue, get it at newsstands March 31st or download the digital edition, and check out more photos here.
Kanye Talks Life With Ryan Seacrest
The meltdown via Twitter over Jimmy Kimmel aside, the larger than life Kanye West has come across rather human as of late. Albeit, not at his shows where he can be found wearing golden masks and singing from cliffs with Jesus, but rather in interviews where he seems to actually be fairly genuine. Last night he linked up with none other than Ryan Seacrest to talk about his recent engagement to Kim Kardashian, his nerves about raising his new baby North and much more. Check it all out below.
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Sunday Coffee Sipper: The Week in Music
A lot went down in the music world since I last sat down to write a Coffee Sipper piece a week ago. Instead of trying to choose one event to focus on for an entire piece, I decided to dig deeper into several of the goings-on that came to light since last Sunday.
Chance The Rapper begins Tour: Chicago's own Chance The Rapper kicked off a tour of his own Friday night in Champaign, Illinois, just outside the campus of the University of Illinois. Setting out on his first solo headlining tour, dubbed the "Social Experiment Tour" Chance, music director Peter CottonTale and backing band Greg Landfair and Nico Segal rehearsed for a week with stage hands and sound to make sure there were no surprises the day of. Renting out the Metro and Reggie's on different occasions throughout the week, the team had everything down before heading south where Chance's two part show (one half solo, the other half with a band) went off without a hitch. Vic Mensa joined him onstage for an encore of "Cocoa Butter Kisses" and seemingly all of Save Money made the two hour trip to send Chano off to Pittsburgh appropriately. Stay tuned to RH for updates as the tour moves across the country.
