Kim Kardashian has done everything in her power to distance herself from the infamous sex tape that once loomed large over her career.
The reality star turned beauty mogul has managed to build an empire since her humble beginnings as Paris Hilton’s assistant and now stands at the helm of multiple businesses, including but not limited to shapewear brand Skims, fragrance brand KKW Fragrance, and beauty brand SKKN. She’s also an aspiring lawyer working towards a law degree, and in 2022, she launched the private equity firm Skky Partners with the intent to invest in multiple consumer and media ventures. A girl with no talent, you say?
Critics argue that her success is only a byproduct of the fame brought about by the viral sex tape involving her and her ex-boyfriend Ray J, but according to the mom of four, it’s actually quite the opposite. “I think people would assume that I got everything handed to me, being on a TV show. But being on a reality show, let alone a reality show girl with a sex tape, does not open doors,” she clarified in a “The Kardashians” episode. “And so, I always felt like I had to work extra hard and harder to be taken seriously and for people to forget about my past.”
Despite all her achievements, Kardashian continued to face scrutiny over the sex tape incident. Ray J even insinuated that she knew about the leak, while a sex tape broker claimed that she had profited $20 million from the video.
Kim Kardashian has always maintained that her infamous sex tape with Ray J spread without her consent, but according to Ray J, the leak was all planned and meticulously calculated. He told the Daily Mail that its public release was “a deal and a partnership between Kris Jenner and Kim and me and we’ve always been partners since the beginning of this thing.” He even showed proof on Instagram Live, showing his followers evidence that he and Kim each earned $400,000 from the tape and that Jenner selected which clip to show the masses. “We was in this s*** together,” he said (via the Los Angeles Times). “Kris, you know what you did.”
Meanwhile, Steven Hirsch, the chief of Vivid Entertainment — the firm behind the tape’s distribution — spilled to Page Six that Kardashian hadn’t initially yearned for the tape’s release but ultimately signed off on it. Otherwise, it would have never been released. “Ultimately [Kim] did sell us the footage so we had the ability to put it out and distribute it,” he said. While he refrained from specifying the exact amount Kardashian received, Kevin Blatt, a sex tape broker who tried to get his hands on the tape back in the day, told The U.S. Sun that Kardashian might have earned approximately $20 million from the deal. There’s no way to verify this figure, but it’s aligned with Hirsch’s revelation that it was the company’s most profitable release. “Revenue-wise it has generated more income than any other tape that we’ve done,” he said.
There was always speculation that a second Kim Kardashian and Ray J sex tape exists, but no one has really provided any proof. Wack 100, Ray J’s former manager, once claimed that he had it in his possession, while Ray J shared that their tapes have all been with his ex ever since. “She kept them all,” he told the Daily Mail. “I never had a tape in my possession in our whole relationship … She’s always had all the tapes in a Nike shoe box under her bed. I’m sure she has bigger beds now and better boxes.”
Kardashian, for her part, was adamant that there are no longer any tapes left, even addressing the matter in an episode of “The Kardashians.” It was shown in the series that her ex-husband, rapper Kanye West, retrieved the original tape from Ray J, with Kardashian later clarifying that there was “nothing sexual, nothing weird” in whatever’s in it.
Ultimately, all she wants is to stop being associated with the infamous tape and move past it once and for all. “Kim remains firm in her belief that there is no new second tape that exists,” her reps said in a statement to TMZ. “After 20 years, she truly wishes to move on from this chapter with focus instead on the positive things she continues to do as a mother, entrepreneur and advocate for justice reform.”
In the ever-evolving world of celebrity wealth and status, A$AP Rocky’s financial trajectory is a fascinating narrative of ambition, artistry, and strategic acumen.
Nearing the echelons of his billionaire wife, Rihanna, the Harlem-born rapper and entrepreneur has made headlines not just for his influential music and fashion statements but for a remarkable financial milestone. Within a span of just two years, A$AP Rocky has impressively doubled his wealth, a feat that underscores his multifaceted career and business ventures beyond the glitz and glamour of showbiz.
A$AP Rocky’s ascent in wealth accumulation is not merely a byproduct of his music career, though his discography has certainly laid the foundational bricks. Albums like “Long. Live. A$AP” and “At. Long. Last. A$AP” have not only solidified his status in the rap genre but have also been crucial in establishing his brand identity. Beyond music, A$AP Rocky’s foray into fashion, with collaborations with high-end brands and the launch of his own merchandise, speaks volumes of his entrepreneurial spirit. His unique sense of style and influence in fashion circles has made him a sought-after collaborator for luxury and streetwear brands alike, further padding his financial portfolio.
Being close to Rihanna, a global superstar and entrepreneur who has herself carved a niche in the realms of music, beauty, and fashion with her Fenty brands, certainly casts an inspirational beam. Their relationship, while personal and romantic, also presents a powerhouse duo that embodies talent, business savvy, and a knack for turning everything they touch into gold. The influence they wield individually and together is immense, shaping trends and making bold statements in the industries they are involved in.
The key to A$AP Rocky’s impressive wealth growth lies in diversification. Venturing beyond the music industry, he has tapped into fashion, acting, and entrepreneurship. His involvement in various fashion endeavors, including collaborations with high-end brands and launching his own lines, has significantly contributed to his revenue streams. Moreover, his engagements in acting and business ventures have diversified his portfolio, minimizing risks and maximizing income.
As A$AP Rocky continues to expand his empire, the question of a stopping point seems to be off the table. With the backing of his talent, the influence of his partnership with Rihanna, and a continuously evolving understanding of the business landscapes, he is set for even greater heights. The dynamic nature of his career, coupled with strategic business moves, suggests that A$AP Rocky’s wealth doubling might just be a signpost on his journey to even more significant achievements.
The Countess of Wessex has revealed Angelina Jolie is one of her fashion icons – along with Queen Rania of Jordan.
Sophie chatted about her fashion inspirations during an online ceremony where she presented the Queen Elizabeth II Award for British Design to Priya Ahluwalia on Tuesday 23 February.
The 56-year-old, who is married to the Queen’s youngest son Prince Edward, said her own style was developing and revealed she looked to a royal abroad for inspiration.
When asked whose style she admired, the countess said: “I think Angelina Jolie always looks amazing and Queen Rania of Jordan always looks stunning.”
Answering the same question, The Telegraph reported Ahluwalia said: “I always love the Queen’s fashion, she is a fashion icon.”
Asked about her own style, Sophie said: “It’s developed over time, I think it’s probably reasonably classic, but I like things with a bit of a twist.”
The countess joined Priya Ahluwalia and Caroline Rish at the event on Tuesday 23 February. (BFC)
Queen Rania of Jordan, Sophie, Countess of Wessex and Queen Margarethe II of Denmark on the Lejonbacken Terrace in Stockholm, Sweden. Sophie said Rania was a fashion inspiration. (Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images)
Read more: Weekly flowers and rewilding: Secrets of the Queen’s Buckingham Palace garden revealed
Sophie wore a £595 Victoria, Victoria Beckham dress for the event, which featured cabaret dancers in an abstract scribble print.
The countess’s confession came as she spoke to Ahluwalia and the British Fashion Council’s chief executive Caroline Rush in a Zoom webinar after presenting the award to the winner.
The Queen Elizabeth II award was set up in 2018 and it has become tradition for a senior royal woman to attend to give the award to its winner. Last year the event was attended by Princess Anne.
In the last year, Sophie has seen an increase in her public facing engagements, carrying out more and more high profile royal work.
During the webinar, Sophie said: “On behalf of Her Majesty the Queen, I am honoured to announce the 2021 winner of the Queen Elizabeth II Award for British Design to Priya Ahluwalia for Ahluwalia.
“Congratulations, it’s so exciting.”
The countess wore a Victoria Beckham dress for the event. (Royal Family)