Recently, artist Cardo Martinez created Season 81 fan art for Keeping Up with the Kardashians where the famous ladies are cast as old women. The shocking image begs the question, "What the heck is in that Calabasas water?"
The usually svelte Kardashian-Jenner women are portrayed as dour and haggard cover girls. Their normally taut physiques and plump features have been replaced with wrinkles and saggy skin. Normally vivacious Khloe looks like a shell of her former self, with a forlorn expression on her face. Next to her is Kendall, who still has her model good looks, albeit in the autumn of her years. She grips Khloe's emaciated leg in the photo. Kourtney appears confident and is in great shape for a woman of her age, while Kylie appears to have abandoned her love of fillers. Her face is long and worn, and her young figure is no longer as voluptuous as it once was. Kim is still recognizable, although she looks less glamorous than she did in her heyday. Rounding out the family members is matriarch Kris, who actually bears a striking resemblance to her adorable mother M.J.
The image is a spoof of the Kardashians cover photo on the mid-August 2017 issue of The Hollywood Reporter. However, it's also a stunning commentary on aging in the public eye. Kim Kardashian has spoken publicly about her fear of aging in the past. In a report by People, she spoke about the subject, "We were having dinner with my mom last night for her birthday. We were talking about the same thing," Kardashian said. "It’s obviously about the wisdom. There’s a sense of calmness and wisdom you get from life."
Ever since Keeping Up With the Kardashians debuted in October 2007, Kim, Kourtney, and Khloe became fashion and beauty icons. Their first foray into the fashion and retail industry was through their DASH boutique in their hometown of Calabasas, CA. As their name recognition grew, the sisters launched a clothing line called the Kardashian Kollection for Sears. In recent years, Kourtney has collaborated with PrettyLittleThings. Kim has a successful shapewear line called SKIMS, as well as her beauty brand, KKW Beauty. Khloe has made waves with her body positive denim line, Good American. The Jenner girls are also well-known in the industry. Kendall is a top supermodel, and Kylie... well, you know.
What makes Cardo Martinez's image unsuccessful is not the age of the women it portrays. After all, women are beautiful at every age - not just in their youth. It's the sadness of these once-vivacious public figures that makes it creepy. One would like to think that the women of Keeping Up With the Kardashians will be smiling and happy in their elder years. Kourtney, who recently entered her 40s, looks like a 28-year-old. Kim is eternally pretty because she has a certain amount of wisdom behind her eyes. Kylie is cute and quirky in her 20s, yet the artist showcases her as if the years have been punishing. Even Kylie, who is living her best life as a young mother and entrepreneur, is depicted as if life has passed her by. Khloe has completely lost her spark and Kris just looks happy to be there. Anyone who follows this family knows that these women won't go gently into that good night when it comes to getting older. They will evolve, thrive, and shine. That said, this artist's work is a thought-provoking satire, and good for a laugh or two.
Source: Cardo Martinez, People