(LOS ANGELES) — Talking trash about the Kardashians is a common pastime for many ordinary Americans. A few were allowed to indulge in the fun on Monday.
Kim Kardashian, her mother Kris Jenner and her sisters Khloe Kardashian and Kylie Jenner all sat in the front row of a Los Angeles courtroom as prospective jurors aired their feelings about the famous family and the four women, all defendants in a lawsuit brought by Rob Kardashian’s former fiancée Blac Chyna.
“Anything that has to do with their names is just a big no for me,” one man said. “I don’t think reality TV is good for society.”
Angela White is Chyna’s legal name. She is suing them for destroying her TV career. During jury selection Lynne Ciani, her lawyer, asked hundreds of applicants their opinions about plaintiffs and defendants. This is where the real story is.
Another said, “I sincerely hope none of these people get any wealthier because of this.”
One woman said her teenage daughter tried to watch “Keeping Up With the Kardashians” when it first came on, but she put a stop to it.
“I don’t think they were the best role models,” she said. “I wouldn’t let her watch anything involving them.”
One panel member couldn’t even wait to be asked. Told to give his name, occupation, marital status and hometown shortly after sitting down, he answered then added, “and I just want to say I have a very negative perception of the parties and I’m not sure I could be unbiased.”
The defendants didn’t seem defensive about the disrespect. They enjoyed chatting and smiling during breaks.
Judge Gregory W. Alarcon wasn’t entirely pleased by the tone, however.
“I appreciate your honesty. You’re certainly not shy,” he told the panel. “But this is the type of case like all cases where everybody is entitled to a fair trial. There’s a jury instruction that says the wealth of a party or the poverty of the party doesn’t matter.”
Opening statements will be followed by jury selection, which is scheduled to take place Tuesday. Although the Kardashian ladies were all expected to appear at some part of this trial, their presence for jury selection is something that was unexpected.
The mother wore loose-fitting business clothes, and the daughters wore blacks or grays. Security then ushered them in, just before the panel of jurors was introduced.
One prospective juror, who has served on other cases, said he didn’t like the pampered treatment he felt the defendants were getting.
Michael G. Rhodes, the Kardashians’ attorney, explained that courthouse security drove them in and escorted them into the courtroom for a reason.
“Do you understand that there is a dark side to celebrity,” Rhodes said, “and that people that are famous sometimes need extra security?”
“Does that mean that they need Fiji water hand-delivered to them as they sit in court?” the man responded.
Supporters were present in the family’s room as well.
“I am a pretty big fan of the Kardashians so I don’t think I would be able to make an unbiased judgment,” one young woman said.
“I also am a big fan of the Kardashians,” a young man said. “I’ve been watching it since I was little, so I don’t think I could be very fair.”
The Kardashian fans said they knew who Blac Chyna was, but hadn’t developed strong feelings about her.
One woman who said she didn’t care for the Kardashians said she liked Chyna because the two went to the same nail salon and she was “always nice to me.”
Chyna, a model and influencer, began dating the lone Kardashian brother, Rob, in January 2016, and by the time the year was over they were engaged, had a daughter together and were starring in their own “Keeping Up With The Kardashians” spinoff called “Rob & Chyna,” on the E! network.
When the couple broke up, a second season was being produced. The show was then scrapped.
Chyna brought a $100 million lawsuit against the family. The suit claimed that they had defamed Chyna and unlawfully interfered in her contracts, business deals, and used their power over producers and executives to push her out of reality television.
The Kardashians denied any wrongdoing and said in court filings that they had legitimate concerns about Chyna and fears for the safety of their son and brother given the “violence and toxicity” of the relationship.
Chyna also sued Rob Kardashian. However, the judge decided to separate that portion of the case and allow for a new trial.
The family gained fame through 20 seasons of “Keeping Up With The Kardashians,” which ran from 2007 to 2021 on E! they became celebrities on social media and a prized product spokesman.
A sequel series on Hulu, “The Kardashians,” premiered Thursday.
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