Kim Kardashian's Career Evolution: From Reality Star to Lawyer and Actress

For years, cynics have struggled to succinctly encapsulate what exactly Kim Kardashian does. While fans rebuffed such criticism by arguing that whatever she touches turns to gold. I must admit, there was a time in the past when I succumbed to that cynicism… But no more! Kim's influence, importance, and ability to inspire are clear to see - and it's mighty impressive.

Khloe Kardashian, Kylie Jenner, Kris Jenner, Kourtney Kardashian, Kim Kardashian, and Kendall Jenner in 2011. Credit: AP

The star first found fame on her family's reality show Keeping Up with the Kardashians, a platform which helped make her the world's seventh most-followed person on Instagram with 354 million followers. If her Instagram following were a country, it would be the third-largest on planet Earth.

In 2019, she launched the underwear company Skims, which is currently valued at more than $4 billion (£3 billion). Including short-lived spells as a singer and a stylist, Kim has never been shy of turning her hand to something new.

Speaking to ITV News, the 'multi-hyphenate' said she believes she's "always evolving". "Even when I think I've done enough, I find something that is intriguing to me and then I want to try it. I hope I am always curious."

Teyana Taylor, Sarah Paulson, Kim Kardashian, Niecy Nash, and Naomi Watts at the premiere of the series "All's Fair" on October 22. Credit: AP

Her latest venture sees the mother-of-four in her first lead acting role, playing Allura Grant in the upcoming drama series All's Fair. Grant is a high-profile divorce lawyer, who Kim based on Laura Wasser, a real US family law attorney. Kardashian describes Wasser as the "fiercest", adding that she "tried to channel her a little bit".

It's a case of art imitating life in some ways. Since 2019, Kim has been working tirelessly to qualify as a lawyer in California. She has completed the state's four-year legal apprenticeship programme and is just weeks away from finding out if she's passed 'the bar'. Doing so would allow the 45-year-old to practise law in the state of California.

The show All's Fair - set to premiere on Disney+ on November 4 - has been created by Ryan Murphy and also stars the likes of Naomi Watts, Sarah Paulson, and Glenn Close.

Filming drama TV is "actually extremely different" to filming reality TV, Kim Kardashian said

While Kardashian is a seasoned pro in the world of reality TV, she's only dabbled in drama on occasion. More than six months of filming All's Fair highlighted the marked differences between the two. "It's actually extremely different," she tells me at the programme's London premiere in Leicester Square. "You are 16 hours a day on set. It's a completely different skillset; you have to come up with a character and really get into that character and memorise lines. Whereas at home, I can film in bed, I can film at the gym, I can just wake up and go, so it is a full different kind of preparation."

Kim K is arguably one of the most recognisable women in the world, and that's not a prominent position she takes lightly. She hopes that each of her projects carries some meaning, and that's no different with All's Fair, which centres on an all-female law firm. "I think me starting a new challenge and something that I want to try in my 40s, is maybe inspiring to someone. Maybe they feel like they need to move on from their career path and want to try something new, even if it's for fun. If you want to see if you like it, go for it!"