The Rise of the Kardashian-Jenner Empire: From Reality TV to Global Icons

Kimberly Noel Kardashian is an American media personality, socialite, and businesswoman. She first gained media attention as a friend and stylist of Paris Hilton, but received wider notice after the sex tape Kim Kardashian, Superstar, which she filmed in 2003 with her then-boyfriend Ray J, was released in 2007. Later that year, she and her family began to appear on the E! reality television series Keeping Up with the Kardashians, which aired until 2021. Its success led to the formation of two spin-offs and a successor show; Kourtney and Kim Take New York (2011–2012), Kourtney and Kim Take Miami (2009–2013), and Hulu's The Kardashians (2022–present).
Kim’s first marriage was with music producer Damon Thomas when she was just 19. It didn’t last long, ending in 2004.Her second marriage to NBA player Kris Humphries was brief. They married in a highly publicized wedding in 2011, but it famously lasted only 72 days before they split.Kim and Kanye West got married in 2014, and have four kids together. After nearly seven years, they filed for divorce but continue to co-parent and support each other.

Kristen Mary Jenner is an American media personality, socialite, and businesswoman. She rose to fame starring in the reality television series Keeping Up with the Kardashians (2007–2021) with her family. The success of their show led her and her family to star in multiple spin-off series, including Kourtney and Khloe Take Miami (2009), Kourtney and Kim Take New York (2011), Khloe & Lamar (2011), Rob & Chyna (2016) and Life of Kylie (2017). She acted as executive producer for most of her family's reality programs. In 2013, she hosted a six week long pop culture-driven daytime talk show, called Kris. Following her family's decision to sign off from E! in 2021, they then went on to star in The Kardashians on Hulu from 2022.
Kris Jenner married Robert Kardashian in 1978, having four children before divorcing in 1991. She later married Olympic champion Bruce Jenner (now Caitlyn Jenner) the same year, and they had two daughters, Kendall and Kylie. Their 23-year marriage ended in 2015, following Caitlyn’s gender transition.

Robert George Kardashian was an American attorney and businessman. He gained recognition as O. J. Simpson's friend and defense attorney during Simpson's 1995 murder trial. He had four children with his first wife, Kris Kardashian: Kourtney, Kim, Khloé, and Rob, who appear on their family reality television series, Keeping Up with the Kardashians, and its spinoffs.

Caitlyn Marie Jenner, formerly known as Bruce Jenner, is an American media personality and retired Olympic gold medal-winning decathlete.

Travis Landon Barker is an American musician who serves as the drummer for the rock band Blink-182. He has collaborated with hip hop artists, is a member of the rap rock group Transplants, co-founded the rock band +44, and has also joined Box Car Racer, Antemasque and Goldfinger. Barker was a frequent collaborator with the late DJ AM, with whom he formed the duo TRV$DJAM. Due to his fame, Rolling Stone referred to him as "punk's first superstar drummer", as well as one of the 100 greatest drummers of all time.

Shanna Lynn Moakler is an American actress, model and beauty pageant titleholder. She was the winner of the Miss New York USA pageant in 1995 and was the first runner-up at Miss USA 1995. After winner Chelsi Smith won the Miss Universe 1995 pageant, Moakler succeeded her as Miss USA. She was chosen as a Playmate of the Month for Playboy magazine in December 2001.

Ye is an American rapper and record producer. One of the most prominent figures in hip-hop, he is known for his varying musical style and polarizing cultural and political commentary. After dropping out of college to pursue a career in music, West began producing for regional artists in the Chicago area. As an in-house producer for Roc-A-Fella Records, he co-produced albums including Jay-Z's The Blueprint (2001) before signing with the label as a recording artist. West's debut studio album, The College Dropout (2004), was met with critical acclaim and yielded the Billboard Hot 100-number one single "Slow Jamz". He peaked the chart on four other occasions with the singles "Gold Digger" (2005), "Stronger" (2007), "E.T.", and "Carnival" (2024).

Kourtney Kardashian Barker is an American media personality and socialite. In 2007, she and her family began starring in the reality television series Keeping Up with the Kardashians. Its success led to the creation of spin-offs including Kourtney and Kim Take Miami and Kourtney and Kim Take New York. After she and her family made the decision to end their show after 20 seasons in 2021, they began appearing in an all new reality television series titled The Kardashians on Hulu in 2022.
Kourtney Kardashian was in an on-off relationship with Scott Disick, with whom she shares three children. Their relationship and pregnancies were featured on Keeping Up with the Kardashians. She dated model Younes Bendjima before marrying musician Travis Barker, following a Vegas ceremony. In November 2023, they welcomed their first child after multiple failed IVF attempts.

Lamar Joseph Odom is an American former professional basketball player. As a member of the Los Angeles Lakers in the National Basketball Association (NBA), he won championships in 2009 and 2010 and was named the NBA Sixth Man of the Year in 2011.

Scott Michael Disick is an American media personality and socialite widely known for his role as a main cast member on Keeping Up with the Kardashians and its spinoffs. Disick's popularity on Keeping Up with the Kardashians led to the development of a house flipping show, Flip It Like Disick, that aired on E!. In addition to starring on reality shows, Disick has pursued multiple business ventures, including starting the clothing brand Talentless, investing in nightclubs, and running multiple vitamin companies.

Khloé Alexandra Kardashian is an American media personality and socialite. She rose to fame starring with her family in the reality television series Keeping Up with the Kardashians from 2007 to 2021. Its success led to the creation of spin-offs, including Kourtney and Khloé Take Miami (2009–2013) and Kourtney and Khloé Take The Hamptons (2014–2015). Following the ending of their previous show, she and her family began starring on Hulu's The Kardashians in 2022.
Khloé married Lamar in 2009, but his struggles with addiction led to their split. With Tristan Thompson, she welcomed her daughter, True, in 2018, but their relationship faced multiple cheating scandals.

Kristopher Nathan Humphries is an American retired professional basketball power forward who played in the National Basketball Association (NBA). He played in the NBA for the Utah Jazz, Toronto Raptors, Dallas Mavericks, New Jersey / Brooklyn Nets, Boston Celtics, Washington Wizards, Phoenix Suns, and the Atlanta Hawks from 2004 to 2016. Humphries played college basketball for the Minnesota Golden Gophers of the University of Minnesota, and for the United States men's national basketball team.

Robert Arthur Kardashian is an American television personality. He is known for appearing on Keeping Up with the Kardashians, a reality television series that centers on his family, as well as its spin-offs. In 2011, Kardashian also competed in the thirteenth season of ABC's Dancing with the Stars, during which he placed second. He is the fourth and youngest child and the only son of Robert Kardashian and Kris Jenner.

Oliver Thompson is an English guitar player, songwriter and singer. He has toured with Roxy Music and Bryan Ferry since 2005, playing with guitarists including Phil Manzanera, Chris Spedding and Johnny Marr. He has played on Ferry's solo tours, festival dates and recording projects since he began working with him at age 17.

Tristan Trevor James Thompson is a Canadian professional basketball player for the Cleveland Cavaliers of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He won an NBA championship with the Cavaliers in 2016 and has also played for the Boston Celtics, Sacramento Kings, Indiana Pacers, Chicago Bulls, and Los Angeles Lakers.

Jacques Bermon Webster II, known professionally as Travis Scott, is an American rapper, singer, songwriter, and record producer. Scott has had four number-one hits on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart, along with a total of over one hundred charting songs. In addition to ten Grammy Award nominations, he has won a Latin Grammy Award, Billboard Music Award, MTV Video Music Award, and several BET Hip Hop Awards. Scott's musical style has been described as a "blend between traditional hip-hop and lo-fi" and often characterized as "ambient," with a heavily appraised influence from rappers Kanye West and Kid Cudi. His stage name is derived from the latter's real name, Scott Mescudi, combined with the name of a favorite uncle.

Kendall Nicole Jenner is an American model, socialite and media personality. She rose to fame in the reality television show Keeping Up with the Kardashians, in which she starred for 20 seasons and nearly 15 years from 2007 to 2021. The success of the show led to the creation of multiple spin-off series including Kourtney and Khloe Take Miami (2009), Kourtney and Kim Take New York (2011), Khloé & Lamar (2011), Rob & Chyna (2016) and Life of Kylie (2017). Following the decision to end their reality show, in 2022 she and her family starred in the reality television series The Kardashians on Hulu.

Kylie Kristen Jenner is an American media personality, socialite and businesswoman. She starred in the E! reality television series Keeping Up with the Kardashians from 2007 to 2021 and then the Hulu reality television series The Kardashians from 2022. She is the founder and owner of cosmetic company Kylie Cosmetics. She is the fifth-most-followed person on Instagram.
Kylie Jenner dated Cody Simpson, followed by a high-profile relationship with Tyga. She began dating Travis Scott in 2017, welcoming their daughter later. After briefly splitting in 2019, they reconciled during the pandemic and had a son.

Landon Asher Barker is an American singer. The son of drummer Travis Barker, he is best known for his guest performance alongside Gunna and Young Thug on Machine Gun Kelly 2022 single "Die in California", which entered the Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles chart at number 15. Barker also appeared alongside his family on the reality television show Meet the Barkers from 2005 to 2006. His 2023 debut single, "Friends With Your EX", was released by Elektra Records.

North West is an American singer and rapper. She is a daughter of Kanye West and Kim Kardashian, and is a member of the Kardashian family. West appeared in the music video for her father's 2014 single "Only One", and made several appearances on Keeping Up with the Kardashians along with her mother. As a child actress, she made her film debut as the voice of Mini in PAW Patrol: The Mighty Movie in 2023.

Ye is an American rapper and record producer. One of the most prominent figures in hip-hop, he is known for his varying musical style and polarizing cultural and political commentary. After dropping out of college to pursue a career in music, West began producing for regional artists in the Chicago area. As an in-house producer for Roc-A-Fella Records, he co-produced albums including Jay-Z's The Blueprint (2001) before signing with the label as a recording artist. West's debut studio album, The College Dropout (2004), was met with critical acclaim and yielded the Billboard Hot 100-number one single "Slow Jamz". He peaked the chart on four other occasions with the singles "Gold Digger" (2005), "Stronger" (2007), "E.T.", and "Carnival" (2024).