The Philippine Online Chronicles

The Kardashian family is certainly not the average American family. This high profile family has become an influential force in and outside the U.S.The Kardashian family -- sisters Khloe, Kourtney and Kim have dominated reality television, appeared in countless endorsements and headlined gossip tabloids and magazines.  Their extravagant and excessive lifestyle makes them a favorite talk of the town.

Best described by their life of luxury and excess, the Kardashians have basked in the spotlight, walked on the red carpet, wined, dined and rubbed elbows with the affluent. They are famous for being famous and their fame became the family’s cash cow.

“Keeping Up with the Kardashians”

“Keeping Up with the Kardashians” is a popular American reality television series featuring the Kardashian family namely:

• Kristen “Kris” Jenner – She was married to the late Attorney Robert Kardashian (best known as O.J. Simpson’s defense attorney). Kris stands as the matriarch of the family.
• Bruce Jenner – He was an Olympic decathlon champion back in 1976.  He married Kris Jenner in 1991.
• Kourtney Kardashian – She is the eldest daughter of Robert and Kris Jenner. She and her boyfriend Scott have a son named Mason Dash Disick.
• Kimberly “Kim” Kardashian – Kim is the second daughter, she was married to basketball player Kris Humphries but filed for divorce after 72 days.
• Khloé Kardashian Odom – The youngest daughter, married to Los Angeles Lakers player Lamar Odom.
• Rob Kardashian – He is the only son of Robert and Kris.

“Keeping Up with the Kardashains” premiered on TV in October 2007 and continues to air on E! channel. The reality show gives viewers a look into the personal and professional lives of the Kardashian family.  The show became so successful that it paved the way for the spin-off reality TV shows featuring certain family members such as “Kourtney and Khloé Take Miami”, “Kourtney and Kim Take New York” and “Khloé & Lamar”.

President Obama does not keep up with the Kardashians

According to iVillage, First Lady Michelle Obama does not let her state duties affect her role as a mother to her children. Just like a typical mother, Mrs. Obama regulates her daughter’s television and online time. In fact, First daughters Malia and Sasha Obama have been instructed to refrain from watching television and using the computer during weekdays unless needed for school. They were also disallowed to watch certain shows.  Mrs. Obama revealed that President Obama disapproves of his daughters watching the controversial reality show, “Keeping Up with the Kardashians”.

"Barack really thinks some of the Kardashians -- when they watch that stuff -- he doesn't like that as much," Mrs. Obama said, "but I sort of feel like if we're talking about it, and I'm more concerned with how they take it in -- what did you learn when you watched that. And if they're learning the right lessons, like, that was crazy, then I'm like, okay."

President Obama, however, told Jay Leno during an appearance in the Tonight Show that he hasn’t watched a single episode of the controversial reality show.

"Have you seen the show?" Leno directly asked the president.

"I have not seen the show," Obama admitted.

"Ah, so you're making a judgment without ever having seen the show," Leno pointed out with injected humor.

"I'm probably a little biased against reality TV partly because there's this program on C-Span called Congress," Obama said in jest. "But, no, I have not seen the show...[but] I think the girls have seen it."

Kardashian sisters, Khloe, Kourtney and Kim according to Mail Online are angry after the First Lady divulged that the U.S. President asked his daughters to stop watching their show. The Kardashian sisters reportedly retaliated by insulting the First Lady's fashion sense. They referred to Michelle Obama's  wardrobe as 'pretend poor' and 'cheap suburban tack'.

Whirlwind romance turned sour

Kim Kardashian and Kris Humphries whirlwind romance constantly filled headlines but the entire courtship and wedding lasted less than a year.

The couple got engaged in May 2011 after dating for six months and tied the knot in August 20, 2011. Their lavish fairytale wedding was attended by 440 guests.  The bride wore three Vera Wang gowns during the wedding while the groom wore white peak lapel tuxedo jacket, black tuxedo pants with white tuxedo shirt and white bow tie.  The couple exchanged Lorraine Schwartz wedding ring.

Star sightings during the wedding included Lindsay Lohan, Demi Lovato, Ryan Seacrest, Avril Lavigne, Mario Lopez, Maria Menounos, Sugar Ray Leonard, Mark Ballas, Avril Lavigne, Serena Williams, Nicole Richie, La La Vasquez, Kelly Osbourne and Eva Longoria.

In a statement announcing her divorce to Humpries, Kim said, “after careful consideration, I have decided to end my marriage. I hope everyone understands this was not an easy decision. I had hoped this marriage was forever, but sometimes things don’t work out as planned. We remain friends and wish each other the best.”

The sudden divorce prompted many to label the Kardashian-Humphries wedding as a hoax from the very start. The family allegedly made millions from the wedding extravaganza. Kris Jenner denied rumors suggesting that the wedding was merely a money-making propaganda. "It makes me feel sad that some people are reacting that way," Jenner said during her appearance in Today show. "It certainly wasn't a sham, certainly wasn't for TV. We have enough going on our show that we don't have to make things up. She felt that she was in love with him. It was an amazing time ... I had no idea there was a problem at the time. It saddens all of us," Jenner added.

Photo:  Keeping Up With The Kardashians on E! Facebook page.

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Rachel Yapchiongco, also known as Rach to her friends, is a Psychology and Marketing Management graduate of De La Salle University.  She took her MBA at the same university.  Rachel is a full-time mom to a charming young boy and married to an entrepreneur with a passion for cooking. She shares parenting experiences and slices of everyday life on her personal blog called Heart of Rachel.