Last week, Kylie Jenner was ranked on Forbes’ list of America’s Richest Self-Made Women. Subsequently, the collective internet started discussing the definition of “self-made” and the contribution of privilege. The general conclusion? Kylie Jenner has a famous family who created an amount of wealth and notoriety before her, so she cannot possibly be self-made.
Kylie’s sister Kim Kardashian, who many say is a main creator of her pre-existing fame and money, disagrees. Kim told Refinery29 in an interview, “I really didn’t get it, because she is ‘self-made’—we are all ‘self-made.’ What, because we came from a family that has had success? To me, that doesn’t really make sense…”
Kim argues that coming from a famous family can often hinder success due to a lack of motivation. “I know so many people like that [who] haven’t turned out to be as successful as Kylie. If anything, I’ve seen the complete opposite.”
I think Kim misunderstands the criticism of her family. I don’t think anyone is arguing that Kylie hasn’t done a lot of work on her own. It’s just difficult to call anyone self-made when they’re already notable. Keeping Up with the Kardashians premiered on E! over 10 years ago, and in the years following, members of the family have worked collaboratively and separately on their own side-ventures, from owning businesses to televising life events like weddings.
Maybe Kylie didn’t ask for her family to have done this, but she certainly could not have achieved the fortune she has now without an accumulation of her family’s fame.
It’s a thought-provoking discussion about privilege, for sure. Good for Kim for sticking up for her sister, but I don’t think many people can be convinced Kylie is self-made.