We can all probably safely admit we have heard about the Kim Kardashian divorce by now. Although it happened less than a week ago, it has gotten more coverage in the past week than basically anything else in the news. Two of my teachers have even brought it up during lecture.
Was the marriage a scam? I cannot tell you. There are more pressing questions to be asked.
Let  me start by asking you this: how do you even know who Kim Kardashian is in the first place? Sure, you might have watched “Keeping Up with the Kardashians” or some of the other Kardashian spin-offs on E!, but what made you start watching it? Why are fans and the media so obsessed with Kim, Khloe and Kourtney’s love lives?
What all of my friends and I failed to realize until recently is the Kardashian family first achieved “fame” when their dad, Robert Kardashian, was one of O.J. Simpson’s divorce lawyers. Now there’s a trivia bonus question for you, and, no, I’m not making this up.
The Kardashian clan, particularly Robert and wife Kris, were close friends of O.J. and Nicole Simpson (the same Nicole Simpson O.J. was accused of murdering). Mother Kardashian and Nicole Simpson were the best of friends, as Kardashian recently discussed in her book that came out a few days ago on Nov. 1. After Robert Kardashian’s death, the family fame grew when Kris Kardashian (the mom) married Bruce Jenner (the stepdad), winner of the Olympic decathlon in 1976.
Well, now we know where they came from, at least. The Kardashian sisters have become “famous for being famous” — famous for no apparent reason. (Cue million-dollar show contract and Kim’s four hour wedding special.) That’s reality television for you. I am not a reality show enthusiast like many people I know, but I like to keep up. I watched and maybe even enjoyed “Living Lohan,” which followed Lindsay Lohan’s family members (but not Lindsay herself) in their day-to-day life. The show was entertaining but pointless, only airing a total of nine episodes. It is safe to say these people obviously live off of Lindsay’s fame and work hard to keep the spotlight on the family.
I also tuned in to “Kendra” a bit just to figure out who she was and why she had her own show. She was known for being one of Hugh Hefner’s famous Playboy Bunnies, having no discernable talent but sex appeal. But golly gee, she’s sexy, give her a television show! Apparently some fans want to see a notorious bad girl settle down. I’ll admit that storyline is quite entertaining, but pointless, again.
I cannot trash “Jersey Shore” because I love it. But same thing goes: the people came from nothing, acted like themselves and now everyone knows who they are. Which brings me to my point: I remember when I thought fame meant talent — acting, singing, writing, modeling and more. These talented celebrities acted in that Top 100 movie, recorded a big hit, wrote a bestseller or modeled during fashion week. Now fame has come to mean “reality.” In quotations.
After countless book deals and fragrances from these so-called celebrities, they get richer and richer and now they’re millionaires. While there might be talent present in these people, they don’t highlight it. Come on, celebrities, show me some talent.
I’d settle for you balancing a ball on your ‘nose, or a magic trick —  like cutting your paycheck in half. 
Becca Horton is a sophomore majoring in communication. She can be contacted at [email protected].