End of an era: ‘Keeping Up With the Kardashians’ will stop in 2021
Alas, reality TV juggernaut “Keeping Up With the Kardashians” will end before fans can see Kim Kardashian’s law school graduation, Kanye West’s next prospective presidential run and/or the birth or marriage of another Kardashian-Jenner.
Star-turned-beauty mogul Kardashian announced Tuesday that her family’s long-running E! reality series will air its final season in early 2021. The series’ penultimate season, its 19th, premieres Sept. 17 and will be followed by its final season in 2021.
“It is with heavy hearts that we’ve made the difficult decision as a family to say goodbye to Keeping Up with the Kardashians,” she wrote to fans on Instagram. Similar statements were posted on momager Kris Jenner’s account, as well as those of her sisters Kourtney and Khloé Kardashian, and model Kendall Jenner. Stars Rob Kardashian, Kylie Jenner and Scott Disick also signed off on a statement released by E!.
“After what will be 14 years, 20 seasons, hundreds of episodes and numerous spin-off shows, we are beyond grateful to all of you who’ve watched us for all of these years — through the good times, the bad times, the happiness, the tears, and the many relationships and children. We’ll forever cherish the wonderful memories and countless people we’ve met along the way.”
The Ryan Seacrest-produced docu-series debuted on E! in 2007 and launched Kardashian — a former sex-tape star and pal to socialite Paris Hilton — to superstardom. The series revolved around her, along with Jenner’s other children with former O.J. Simpson defense attorney Robert Kardashian. It also included Jenner’s stepchildren and daughters with Caitlyn Jenner, who appeared on the series before and after her transition.
As their fame ballooned with spinoffs and side projects, the sisters became entrepreneurs, influencers, fashion designers and beauty moguls — and served up plenty of fodder for gossip columns.
“Without Keeping Up With the Kardashians, I wouldn’t be where I am today,” Kardashian added. “I am so incredibly grateful to everyone who has watched and supported me and my family these past 14 incredible years. This show made us who we are and I will be forever in debt to everyone who played a role in shaping our careers and changing our lives forever.”
Khloé Kardashian added: “I’m too emotional to fully express myself at the moment. My sappy post will come soon. Change is hard but also needed at times❤️💔❤️💔 I love you all. Thank you for the memories!”
The series’ spinoffs included “Kourtney and Khloé Take Miami,” “Kourtney and Kim Take New York,” “Khloé and Lamar,” “Rob and Chyna” and “I Am Cait.”
“E! has been the home and extended family to the Kardashian-Jenners for what will be 14 years, featuring the lives of this empowering family,” the network said in a statement. “Along with all of you, we have enjoyed following the intimate moments the family so bravely shared by letting us into their daily lives. While it has been an absolute privilege and we will miss them wholeheartedly, we respect the family’s decision to live their lives without our cameras.”
Though the show seemingly brought viewers into the family’s inner circle, the stars’ constant social-media updates increasingly outpaced the series. New details would emerge months after a gossip news cycle and would shed little light on the brood’s inner workings.
Juicy tidbits were culled when major events rocked the family, including Khloé’s involvement in ex-husband Lamar Odom’s 2015 near-death experience, Kim’s short-lived marriage to NBA player Kris Humphries and her brutal Paris robbery in 2016, as well as the unraveling of the Jenners’ marriage before Caitlyn’s transition.
Their brother, Rob Kardashian, shied from the series and social media in recent years.
While some on Tuesday celebrated the finale of an American cultural pariah, pals and followers mourned the beginning of the end. Commenting on Kim’s post, her friend Simon Huck wrote that he’s “not okkkk,” and Balmain designer Olivier Rousteing, who has dressed the whole family, added, “No way.”
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