Jonathan Van Meter’s new book on Kim Kardashian begins with an anecdote from 2019. After publishing a Vogue cover story on Kardashian, Van Meter received a phone call from her. “There’s no better feeling in the world than when someone gets you,” she told him. Van Meter replied that he intended to write a book about her, “whether you like it or not!” She liked the idea.
Van Meter, a magazine writer known for his profiles of supermodels and pop icons, has interviewed figures such as Linda Evangelista, Taylor Swift, Michelle Obama and Lady Gaga. His 1990 interview with Evangelista, in which she said she wouldn’t wake up for less than $10,000 a day, remains infamous. But his book on Kardashian attempts to fill a gap in cultural commentary. Despite Kardashian’s omnipresence, Van Meter points out there has been “a dearth of well-written profiles and shrewd cultural analysis” on her influence.
Kardashian’s rise began with Keeping Up With the Kardashians in 2007, a reality TV show that turned her family’s daily life into a global phenomenon. The show continued into this year with The Kardashians on Hulu, maintaining her visibility. Kardashian anticipated the potential of social media early. She used it as a platform to extend her brand beyond television.
Last year, Kardashian’s shapewear and loungewear company, Skims, was valued at $5 billion (£3.75 billion). The brand’s success transformed her from reality star to businesswoman, confirming her impact on fashion and commerce. Van Meter’s book examines that trajectory, from her beginnings in entertainment to her current status as a billionaire entrepreneur.
In addition to her commercial ventures, Kardashian has pursued criminal justice reform, adding another dimension to her public image. Van Meter’s profile from 2019 noted this shift from celebrity to activist. His new book expands on how she balances these roles while managing a global empire.
The book gives readers a backstage pass to Kardashian’s personal life, but it does not reveal many new secrets. Instead, it frames her as a cultural force whose influence has shaped the way fame and business intersect in the 21st century. Van Meter’s access and experience bring a measured perspective to a figure often dismissed as simply a reality star.
Van Meter’s history of profiling prominent women for glossy magazines informs his approach. His interviews with Swift, Obama and Gaga show his interest in how women in the public eye control their narratives. Kardashian’s story fits into this pattern, illustrating the transformation of celebrity into a multifaceted career.
Kardashian’s phone call to Van Meter in 2019, after his Vogue story, suggests a mutual understanding of the complexity behind her fame. The book offers insight into her awareness of her cultural position and business acumen. Yet it resists myth-making or sensationalism.
As Kardashian’s empire grows, so does public fascination with her. Van Meter’s book arrives at a moment when the business behind celebrity is as significant as the celebrity itself. With Skims valued in the billions and her ongoing media presence, Kardashian remains a subject worth examining beyond tabloid headlines.
According to The Guardian.
