Early life
Kardashian was born in Los Angeles, California, the daughter of attorney Robert Kardashian and his wife Kris Kardashian (née Houghton). Her father was a third generation Armenian American, and her mother is of Dutch and Scottish descent.[4] Kardashian has two sisters, Kourtney and Khloé, and one brother, Robert. She has stepbrothers Burton Jenner, Brandon Jenner, and reality TV star Brody Jenner, step-sister Casey Jenner, and half-sisters Kendall Jenner and Kylie Jenner.[5] She attended Marymount High School.[6]
In 2000, Kardashian married music producer Damon Thomas; their relationship ended in divorce in 2004. Subsequently she dated R&B singer Ray J, NFL star Reggie Bush[7] and Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Miles Austin.[8] She also dated model Gabriel Aubry.[9]
2003–07: Controversy and reality television
In February 2007, a home sex video that she made with singer Ray J in 2003[10] was leaked.[11] Vivid Entertainment bought the rights for $1 million and released the film as Kim Kardashian: Superstar on February 21.[11] Kardashian sued Vivid for ownership of the tape. In late April 2007, Kardashian dropped the suit and settled with Vivid Entertainment for $5 million.[12]
Kardashian was a friend of Paris Hilton, who introduced her to the socialite scene.[13] Her first acting role was in the television series Beyond the Break. In October 2007, along with her two sisters, mother, brother, half-sisters, and stepfather she starred in the E! television series, Keeping Up with the Kardashians. As of October 2011, the series has aired 69 episodes over six seasons.
2007–2010: Modeling and retail
Kardashian in Santa Monica, California on May 13, 2009 at Maxim's 10th Annual Hot 100 Celebration
Kardashian co-owns a clothing boutique called D-A-S-H with her sisters Kourtney and Khloé.[14] In December 2007, Kardashian posed nude for Playboy.[15] In February 2008, Bongo Jeans announced that she would be their face model.[16] She has also modeled for Carl's Jr., Sugar Factory lollipops, and various other products.[17][18]
Kardashian starred in the 2008 disaster film spoof Disaster Movie as Lisa,[19] and appeared in the How I Met Your Mother episode "Benefits". She also appeared on the Season 3 premiere of the series 90210 with her sisters Khloé and Kourtney; they all played themselves.[20] Kardashian was a guest hostess of WrestleMania XXIV and appeared as a guest judge during Cycle 13 of America's Next Top Model.[21] On December 16, 2009, Kardashian made a guest star appearance on CBS's CSI: NY with Vanessa Minnillo.[22][19] In 2009 she had a cameo as club bouncer in the 2009 porn film spoof Deep in the Valley[19]
Kardashian was one of 13 participants on the seventh season of Dancing with the Stars.[23][19] She was partnered with Mark Ballas and was the third contestant voted off the show on September 30, 2008, finishing in 11th place overall.[24] Sanford Siegal, the creator of the Cookie Diet, sued Kardashian, claiming she defamed him on Twitter. According to Siegal, Kardashian tweeted in October 2009 that he was "falsely promoting" that she was on the cookie diet. Siegal filed a claim in a Florida state court claiming the statements are false and defamatory. He also alleges that Kardashian was on QuickTrim's payroll when she posted the tweet. Kardashian's tweet appears to stem from an article on CookieDiet.com, that named Kardashian as one of many celebrities who saw positive results on the diet. Kardashian sent a cease-and-desist order to Siegal, demanding the link be removed.[25]
Kardashian released her own fragrance product in 2010.[26] In March 2009, Kardashian launched an endorsement with ShoeDazzle shopping,[27] of which she is the co-founder and chief fashion stylist.[17] The following month on April 9, 2009, Kardashian released a workout DVD series, Fit In Your Jeans By Friday, with trainers Jennifer Galardi and Patrick Goudeau.[14][28] In September 2009, Fusion Beauty and Seven Bar Foundation launched "Kiss Away Poverty", with Kardashian as the face of the campaign. For every LipFusion lipgloss sold, $1 went to the Foundation to fund women entrepreneurs in the US.[29]
She has also been featured in numerous international editions of FHM, including the cover of the April 2010 Australian edition and the UK March 2011 edition.[30] Famous Cupcakes, a Los Angeles bakery, created a vanilla cupcake mix for Kardashian. The cupcake flavor is called Va-Va-Va-Nilla.[17] Kardashian has also created jewelry along with her sisters, Khloé and Kourtney. They produced a collection for Virgins, Saints, and Angels in 2010.[31]
Again with her sisters, Kardashian has released various clothing lines. One called K-Dash was to be sold on QVC in 2010,[32] and in the same year they produced a range for Bebe.[33][34][35] As of August 2011 they are creating another for Sears, called the Kardashian Kollection.[36] In addition, Kardashian and her sisters created a sunless tanner called Kardashian Glamour Tan in 2010.[37] On July 1, 2010, the New York City branch of Madame Tussauds revealed a wax figure of Kardashian.
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