Who knew dating a Kardashian could prove detrimental? If modern popular culture has taught us anything, it’s that reality TV can turn even the most mundane of families into a multi-million dollar business.
And yet the entertainment industry is buzzing with reports that Kanye West’s decision to cosy up to self-promoting extraordinaire Kim Kardashian is damaging his music career.
That’s right, embarking on a relationship with a woman best known for starring in a sex tape and selling coverage of her 72-day marriage to the highest bidder doesn’t seem to have boosted West’s credibility. Who would have guessed?
Faced with dwindling concert ticket sales and a lack of respect from his peers, the American media have been quick to pin the blame for the rapper’s diminishing fortunes firmly at Kardashian’s Givenchy-clad shoes.
“His personal life is overpowering his music,” an industry source sniped to a US newspaper this week, adding that being seen in the company of his current squeeze prevented him from being “taken seriously”.
As excuses go, that’s about as weak as they come. After all, West was doing a pretty good job of destroying his reputation on his own long before taking up with the ubiquitous Kardashian.
Most famously, of course, was his mean-spirited storming of the stage at the MTV Video Music Awards three years ago in which he took it upon himself to interrupt Taylor Swift as she accepted the award for Best Female Video.
“Yo, Taylor, I’m really happy for you, Imma let you finish but Beyonce had one of the best videos of all time,” he declared, clearly oblivious to the then 19-year-old Swift’s utter horror and humiliation.
Even those who suspected he was technically correct in deeming Beyonce’s Single Ladies to be the superior offering were offended by his insensitive arrogance, with no less an authority than Barack Obama labelling West a “jackass”.
So as convenient as it is to hold Kardashian accountable for West’s professional demise, surely the genuine culprit lies even closer to home.
Yet the notion that a successful man cannot function without a dutiful woman by his side, solely devoted to his needs, is an enduring one.
Late last month my colleague, the delightful Phil Rothfield, opined that Michael Clarke’s improved batting average was a direct result of marrying model Kyly Boldy earlier this year
“It’s a big improvement on the old soap opera days of the Lara Bingle relationship when he more often appeared in Sydney Confidential than these sporting pages,” he wrote.
Ah, that pesky Bingle. How dare she distract her man from the important business of hitting balls across a field with her personal dramas and career aspirations?
Just who did she think she was? His fiancee? What kind of a woman thinks her problems and needs are just as important as her future husband’s day job?
But, to many, that Bingle’s schedule failed to solely revolve around Clarke was a very serious problem indeed.
“With Lara, it was all about her,” a source told Rothfield. “With Kyly it’s all about him.”
Well forgive me going all Dr Phil, but shouldn’t a relationship be a two-way street? Why should either partner – irrespective of their significant other’s professions – be expected to surrender their own identity and goals?
In a society that celebrates women who put their own ambition on hold to support their man, we are still uncomfortable with the reverse scenario.
If Michael Clarke stands by his enterprising fiancee then he’s dismissed as a wuss. But when Michelle Obama shelves her career to play dutiful wife she is universally admired.
It’s time to debunk the tiresome myth that in order to succeed, a man must choose a trophy wife for his bride. There is enough room in any marriage for two people, two personalities, and two sets of hopes and dreams.
And if not, then it’s time to call Dr Phil.
Email: sarrah.lemarquand@news.com.au
Twitter: @SarrahLeM
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