" There are easy jokes to be made about this video , but in truth it ’s such a slap in the case to literal artists in the flick industry . "
Kim Kardashianand Chloë Sevigny’s highly anticipatedActors on Actorsinterview happened, and people have much to say about it.
As Variety’sActors on Actorsreturned for its 20th season, everyone was excited for the new star-studded conversations between Hollywood’s TV superstars.
But when Variety teased that Kim and Chloë would be together, people took to social media toexpress their frustrationwith the decision to include the 43-year-old TV personality with a seasoned Golden Globe-winning actor.
Chloë’s acting career began in the early ’90s, and she’s maintained a successful presence in movies, TV shows, and fashion since then.
Chloë recently starred as the actor and author C.Z. Guest in Ryan Murphy’sFeud: Capote Vs. The Swans. Chloë also appeared in Seasons 2 and 5 ofAmerican Horror StorytitledAsylumandHotel,respectively.
Kim’s career began in reality TV and branched out into entrepreneurship. Eventually, she went from casual cameos to starring in the 12th season of Ryan Murphy’s anthology seriesAmerican Horror Story: Delicate.
TheActors on Actorsconversation had some notable moments, like when Kimrevealedthat her mother,Kris Jenner, watchedTroop Beverly Hillsfor the first time and cried over the fact that “we can never drive down in a Rolls-Royce in Beverly Hills these days, all the shopping bags out — you’d get robbed.”
I think Chloë’s seasoned and meticulousoutlookon acting and cinema is refined and carefully crafted in the way she speaks about classic films, filmmakers, and the process. On the flip side, Kim’s perspective is more amateur but a fresh perspective from someone who’s established a career going in the opposite direction of most actors — celebrity turned actor versus the opposite.
But, if the backlash from the early announcement was any indication, people were not feeling Kim and Chloë’sActors on Actorspairing, and they had a gang of critical opinions about it.
This person came right out the gate, calling out Variety on the selection, writing, “This is like havingKatharine Hepburnbeing paired up withParis Hilton🫣🫣.”
“Kim is so dull and robotic and speaks slowly to try to make what she’s saying sound more interesting,” one user wrote. “Chloe’s so real and cool and charming. An embodiment of Beverly Hills speaking to an embodiment of downtown NYC. Kim thinks people will be impressed that she’s included in this but it’s actually just so boring.”
Another user commented, “It’s so sad to see how little Kim tries!!! It barely feels like a conversation. Chloe is doing must of the questions and is actually interested in what Kim’s experience as an actor has been. Kim is just answering everything as if she was in an interview. Variety really blew this one.”
“This is absolutely dreadful,” another person wrote. “I wanted to give Kim a chance. I think she’s a hard worker but her lack of curiosity and she just seems out of her depth and it’s so difficult to watch. She did not ask one interesting question. It was like Chloe was babysitting aand [sic] it was just painful to watch.”
Some folks kept it simple, yet expressed their confusion, writing, “This is just so…awkward??”
This person suggested what this could mean for other actors in the industry, writing, “There are easy jokes to be made about this video, but truly it’s such a slap in the face to actual artists in the film industry. The fact that someone like Kim K can just decide to be an actor on the highest level, while those who put their whole soul into it probably won’t ever get to be on Actors on Actors… just deeply upsetting.”
“Imagine being a talented actress having to work her way up and you get paired withKim Kardashianfor your actors on actors,” another person commented.
This commenter brought up other actors who should’ve been featured, writing, “I’ll never get over the fact that Variety invited Kim K to do this but not someone like Dakota Fanning who just wrapped up the Ripley series with Andrew Scott (who’s going to be on this show next week with Brie Larson) and is an actual experienced actor is just so unbelievable and ridiculous. So sorry Chloe, you deserve better than this.”
When Chloësharedan Instagram post promoting theActors on Actorsconversation, she appeared aware of the discourse circulating on the internet and challenged the backlash. “Our chosen career of actor has many forms,” Chloë wrote.
Perhaps I’m a Kardashian apologist, but I think people are going a little too hard on Kim. The latest season ofAmerican Horror Storymight not have stood up to its predecessors, but it wasn’t the new actor’s fault. I think Kim’s performance stood out in a rather tedious season of the popular anthology.
I vote Variety keeps these types of contrasted pairings going. Up next, give us NeNe Leakes and Angela Bassett. I would pay to see that.
