Dive into the mesmerizing world of Kim Kardashian, tracing her rise from a reality TV star to a fashion icon. Explore the controversy surrounding her iconic Paper Magazine cover that challenged beauty norms and sparked discussions about cultural appropriation. The conversation delves into her relationship with Kanye West and its impact on celebrity culture. With a humorous digression about celebrity motherhood and an analysis of changing beauty standards, this discussion offers a captivating take on the evolving landscape of fame and image.
Kim Kardashian's Paper Magazine cover not only challenged body image perceptions but also sparked significant discussions on race and cultural appropriation.
The evolution of Kardashian from reality star to fashion icon illustrates the intricate relationship between celebrity culture and societal beauty standards.
The episode critiques the Kardashians' influence on unrealistic beauty ideals, highlighting the cyclical patterns of body commodification in modern society.
Deep dives
The Concept of 'Mother' in Pop Culture
The discussion revolves around defining the term 'mother' in relation to celebrities and cultural icons. The speakers contemplate which celebrities embody the 'mother' archetype, expressing contrasting views on what this term signifies. For one, figures like Cate Blanchett exude a commanding presence that feels 'motherly' but is intimidating, while another seeks a more nurturing identity associated with figures like Meryl Streep. This conversation reflects how cultural perceptions shape our understanding of femininity and authority in popular figures.
JLo and the Birth of Google Image Search
The narrative highlights the historical significance of Jennifer Lopez's iconic green Versace dress worn at the Grammys in 2000. This dress arguably sparked the need for Google to develop its image search functionality due to its overwhelming popularity and the public's desire to see it online. The hosts reflect on the cultural implications of this moment, implying that the fascination with celebrity bodies was so profound it led to technological advancement. The amusing yet revealing commentary illustrates how celebrity culture directly impacts societal trends, including those in technology.
Kim Kardashian's 'Break the Internet' Moment
The conversation transitions to the landmark moment when Kim Kardashian graced the cover of Paper Magazine in 2014, famously labeled 'Break the Internet.' This cover featured her in a provocative pose, which ignited a frenzy of media attention and online discussions about body image and celebrity culture. It is noted that this event marked a pivotal shift in how the media promotes celebrity figures, leveraging nudity and controversy to captivate public interest. The implications of this cover extend to discussions on race, exploitation, and cultural appropriation, urging a deeper examination of the ways in which bodies are commodified.
The Evolution of Kardashian Fame
The episode delves into Kim Kardashian's trajectory from reality TV star to a powerful figure in the fashion industry, highlighting the complexities of her public persona. The hosts emphasize how her relationship with Kanye West elevated her status, merging high fashion with low culture and reshaping public perceptions. However, the narrative critiques the superficial acceptance that Kardashian faced in the fashion community, revealing it was often rooted in her ability to generate buzz rather than substantive recognition. This exploration showcases the evolving dynamics of fame and influence in modern culture.
Body Image Trends and Cultural Impact
The concluding discussion centers on the ramifications of Kardashian's influence on beauty standards, particularly the celebration and commodification of curvaceous bodies. The speakers argue that while the Kardashians helped popularize different body types, their rise also led to problematic beauty trends that can perpetuate unrealistic standards, such as the booming demand for Brazilian butt lifts. They point out the cyclical nature of beauty standards, suggesting that the Kardashians’ evolving appearances reflect a broader societal pattern of treating bodies as fashion trends. Ultimately, this segment critiques how such influences necessitate ongoing critical conversations around race, representation, and the changing nature of beauty in popular culture.
Remember when Kim Kardashian invented butts? Paper Magazine sure would like us to. When they released their scintillating cover issue of Kim K in a sequinned dress, balancing a champagne glass on her formidable silicone buttocks, Paper Mag declared: “Break the Internet Kim Kardashian” And break it she did. In this episode, Hannah and Maia trace Kim Kardashian’s transformation from trashy reality star to fashionista de jour. Since the Paper cover, and with the help of Kanye West, Kim’s body has become the subject of a twisted performance art. But it’s also generated controversy - creating unhealthy trends, grifting from the natural features of Black women, and now disappearing into what we everyone has deemed a “skinny renaissance”. Digression includes: Maia getting riled up about Timothée and Kylie’s fabled romantic union.
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Intro and outro song by our talent friend Ian Mills:
Joe Zee, “In Defense of Kim Kardashian and the Editors of Paper Magazine and Why This Cover Makes Sense” (12/11/14), Yahoo
Jake Hall, “exploring the complicated relationship between jean-paul goude and grace jones”, (21/04/16) i-D
David Hershkovits, “How Kim KArdashian broke the Internet with her butt” (17/12/14), The Guardian
Blue Telusma “Kim Kardashian doesn’t realize she’s the butt of an old racial joke” (12/11/14), the grio
Justin Parkinson, “The Significance of Sarah Baartman” (07/01/16), BBC
Janell Hobson, “Remnants of Venus: Signifying Black Beauty and Sexuality” (2018), Women’s studies Quarterly, The Feminist Press
Nolan Feeney, “Anna Wintour Implies Kim Kardashian and Kanye West are not ‘Deeply Tasteful’”. (19/11/14)
Cleo Gould, “From silicone implants and fat transfers to bubble butts and a high mortality rate, we investigate whether the BBL is the most dangerous cosmetic surgery of all” (2019), Dazed
Rachel Tashjian, “How Jennifer Lopez’s Versace Dress Created Google Images” (2019), GQ.
John Ortved, “Paper Magazine, The Oral History: ‘They Were Wide Open’ (2023), The New York Times
Eric Wilson, “Kim Kardashian Inc.” (17/11/2010), The New York Times.
Natasha Singer, “The democratization of plastic surgery” (2007), The New York Times,
Harper Franklin “1810-1819” (18/08/2020) Fashion History Timeline, Fashion Institute of Technology.