Is Kris Kardashian Just A Glorified Pimp?

While Kim is the breakout star and figurehead of the Kardashian ship, Kris — mother of the klan — seems to be at the helm, steering the $65 million empire. Apparently, in a sneak peek at Khloe’s new show, Khloe & Lamar, Kris calls Khloe about Quicktrim diet supplement — for which the three K sisters are spokesmodels. The phone call does not go well.

The Daily Mail (yes, we know, but wait) has seen a clip of the scene. And given what happens, there’s a reason more than one commenter Kris Kardashian as a “pimp.” According to the paper:

“Can we have a little chat about QuickTrim? I just think the way you are presenting yourself in the media is a little off-base and I feel like you and I need to have a chat about what you are doing to the brand,” Kris says.
A shocked Khloe immediately questions her mother: “Excuse me? What am I doing to the brand? And how am I presenting myself to the media?”
Kris is then heard on the other line, saying: “You don’t care and it’s very very upsetting to me because I’ve worked so hard at creating what I think is a great deal for you girls and you’re not pulling your end of the weight. I feel like you could not chat about how many cookies you’re eating in between meals to the media…”

Even if this is manufactured drama for the cameras — which, for once, I don’t think it is — there is so much going on here. So much loaded language, so many emotions bubbling up. A mother’s guilt-trip can be one of the most gut-wrenching things to go through as a daughter — the last thing you want to hear is that you’re a disappointment. And while the “brand” Kris speaks of is most likely QuickTrim and not the Kardashian brand, it’s clear she’s concerned about that as well. Somehow, even though the family is earning millions, 26-year-old Khloe isn’t good enough. Not allowed to be herself. And the message, the subtext behind the whole conversation is that the truth is bad. Keeping up appearances is good. Eating is bad. Money is good. Gaining weight is bad. Kris is essentially telling Khloe, “my livelihood depends on your behavior. Those cookies you’re putting in your mouth could take food out of my mouth.” Which is, to put it lightly, fucked up. Usually a child depends on a parent, but the roles are reversed: Kris is depending on Khloe to follow the script, play the game, adhere to the rules that Kris has in her mind. A pretty horrific position to be in. You don’t have to be rich and famous to relate to the tricky dynamics playing out between mother and daughter.

Khloe is strong of character, though, and spoke up for herself:

“To tell me I’m ruining a whole brand because of my weight gain makes me feel like shit. Get over yourself. You’re such a fucking raging lunatic and you’re so evil,” she yells.

And, as the paper points out, Quicktrim has not been approved by the FDA, and side effects include insomnia, diarrhea, irregular heartbeat, dizziness, vomiting, headache, loss of appetite, raised blood pressure and increased heart rate. In fact, last year, an investigation found QuickTrim to consist of powerful stimulants, laxatives, and diuretics. But hey, let’s be careful what we say about the brand.

‘You’re Damaging The Brand’: Khloe Kardashian Slammed For Gaining Weight… By Her Own MOTHER [Daily Mail]