A KUWTK Farewell: Our Top 10 Favorite Moments
Because they’re not always eating salads and yelling at each other.
by JENNY DESTEFANO ★ APRIL 19, 2021
From weddings to divorces, childhood to adulthood, and countless lavish vacations, the world has followed America’s favorite reality TV show family for 14 glamorous, dramatic years. As the Kardashians’ twentieth and final season comes to a close, we’re taking a look back on some of the show’s most iconic moments.
Kim loses her diamond earring - Season 6, Episodes 10, 11
Credit: Pinterest
Coming in at #1, we of course have the moment that sparked the now universal quote: “Kim, there’s people that are dying.” Kim’s then-fiancé, Kris Humphries, threw her into the ocean on the family’s vacation to Bora Bora. However, things went awry when Kim realized one of her $75,000 earrings had fallen off in the water leaving her to become incredibly distressed, and make the whole family dive in to look for it. Kourtney, however, offered a panicked Kim a humble sense of reality to put her tantrum in perspective. Savage, but still… a diamond’s a diamond. (Don’t worry, Kylie found it sparkling on the seafloor soon after.)
Caitlyn discusses her transition - Season 10, Episodes 10, 11
Credit: Vanity Fair
Though Caitlyn Jenner has struggled with her gender identity for years, her debut on the cover of Vanity Fair as a transgender woman shocked and excited the nation in 2015. Interestingly enough, Caitlyn’s new name doesn’t adhere to the “K” theme of almost every other Kardashian and Jenner (sorry Rob), showing a split from her life in the past. Early in Caitlyn’s transition (and divorce from Kris), the Kar-Jenners were overwhelmingly supportive, but some have since had a falling out due to comments made about Kris in Caitlyn’s tell-all book. Either way, having Caitlyn’s transition air on national television allotted for some much-needed trans representation in the media.
Khloe goes to jail - Season 3, Episode 1
Credit: Pinterest
Way back in 2008, Khloe was forced to serve some jail time for not completing her mandatory alcohol education classes and community service—a penalty for her arrest after a DUI in 2007. As the family takes a road trip to drop Khloe off at literal prison, Kris has flashbacks to the traumatic OJ Simpson trial, while Kim can’t stop taking selfies. ~Dichotomy.~ Khloe only ended up serving 30 days, but this moment is timeless. Bonus fact: Later episodes of KUWTK feature a framed photograph of Khloe’s mugshot as decoration in Kris and Kim’s homes. I would expect no less.
Kim attacks Khloe with a purse - Season 3, Episode 5
Credit: Usmagazine.com
This moment created a quote I use daily, plus, Kim got some good shots into Khloe with her Birkin after an argument about Kim’s new Bentley. (Alexa, play “That Should Be Me” by Justin Bieber). This season three episode features some prime 2009 Kim buying her first $200,000 car, Khloe’s front bangs, and an epic reminder of the golden rule, “Don’t be f*cking rude.” Iconic.
That time Kim and Kourtney get into a physical fight (and Khloe only cared that they were going to wake up True) - Season 18, Episode 1
Credit: Entertainment Tonight
These days, it seems like Kim and Kourtney are always fighting. Still, their beef nowadays doesn’t compare to the time they actually got in a physical fight at Khloe’s house. After reaching a boiling point about an ongoing argument over Kourtney’s involvement in greater family affairs, Kim and Kourtney THREW. HANDS. Khloe, however, was just trying to get them to calm down enough that they wouldn’t wake up her napping daughter, True. Though the sisters usually fight over and resolve issues verbally, this was the first time we’d seen the two resort to violence (and the entertainment factor didn’t disappoint). Bonus points for Kourtney pushing Kim’s face into the wall so hard her foundation came off.
Kim’s 72-day marriage (and divorce) - Season 6, Episodes 14, 15
Credit: The New York Times
If you’ve never seen an episode of “Keeping-Up,” (how is life under that rock, btw?) you’ve probably still heard of Kim’s infamous 72-day marriage to basketball star Kris Humphries. While Kim was destined for a whirlwind marriage to her long-time close friend Kanye West (POV your soulmate is Kanye West), Kim’s wedding to Humphries was aired on KUWTK as the fairytale event of 2011. Nevertheless, Kim filed for divorce just three months after the wedding—her second marriage ending in divorce. Plus, Kim’s discussion of her decision to divorce dominated the Internet with some fabulous crying-Kim memes. Tbh, that whole relationship was a fever dream.
Kim poses for Playboy for the first time - Season 1 Episode 4
Credit: E! Network
Arguably Kris’s best *momager* moment, Kim’s first-ever photoshoot with Playboy back in 2007 sparked a host of future Internet-breaking moments (i.e. the iconic Paper Magazine champagne shoot in 2014 and Mugler wet dress at Met Gala 2019). Tagging along to Kim’s (naked) shoot, Kris whipped out her fab pink digital camera to snap some of her own pics of Kim’s big moment and remind her that she’s “doing amazing, sweetie.” Bonus points for Kris’s cameo and reboot of her infamous quote in Ariana Grande’s “Thank U, Next” video. Cultural impact at its finest.
Kendall starts modeling - Season 6, Episode 2
Credit: imdb.com
Sure, her first shoots might be a little rough, but Kendall’s modeling opportunities as a teenager ultimately set her up for her current role as the world’s highest paid supermodel. Plus, Kim assumed the role of ~Momager~ to help Kendall get ready for a promising career.
Kylie kills it on a stripper pole at 9 years old - Season 1, Episode 1
Credit: Pinterest
Before she became the Kar-Jenner clan’s first ever billionaire or covered Forbes magazine, Kylie was showing off her dance moves better than her big sisters. On the very first episode of KUWTK, Kylie shocked audiences everywhere by twirling around on a stripper pole at just nine years old. The real shock here is that the Kardashians just like… have a stripper pole in the middle of their bedroom. The world may never know why.
When Kris had an allergic reaction on vacation - Season 7, Episode 7
Credit: Pinterest
Why is it that everything entertaining involves Kris? On a family vacation in the Dominican Republic, Kris woke up one morning to an inflamed face and puffy lips, due to a still unknown food allergy. Poor Kris received none of the sympathy she expected from her family, but honestly, who wouldn’t laugh at her giant lip?
“Keeping Up With The Kardashians” airs on E! Thursday’s at 8 p.m. If you’re not ready to say goodbye just yet (like me), you can binge seasons 1-19 now on Hulu.
Cover photo credit: People.com (Miller Mobley/E! Entertainment)