(Image via people.com)
Staff Writer: Sakara De Gil-Balija
Email: sdegilbalija@umassd.edu
American Horror Story fans have been left in jaded anticipation after the announcement of the unusual season twelve star.
The long-time-running show American Horror Story released posters and trailers revealing Kim Kardashian as one of the stars in the new season titled “Delicate.”
American Horror Story is one of Kim Kardashian’s few scripted television debuts, although she has appeared in movies like “Disaster Movie” and even in a Fall Out Boy music video. However, she is most notably known for her presence on Keeping Up With The Kardashians and The Kardashians.
Many fans are not pleased with the updated cast list, wondering why Ryan Murphy, the show’s co-creator, would ever let her onto the project.
They are angry because the show has a rich history with a decorated cast that has been on it for years.
Actors like Evan Peters, Sarah Paulson, Jessica Lange, and Taissa Farmiga are not listed this season, and fans believe that newer actors, like Kim Kardashian, are taking away roles that the seasoned actors could have been playing.
Earlier this year, Ryan Murphy and Emma Roberts posted a new season teaser displaying new cast member’s names. Many people took to the comments when Kim Kardashian’s name was shown.
The comments of irritated fans can be found on the official American Horror Story Instagram account. Users’ comments ranged from –
“The true horror is Kim acting.”
“I love Emma Roberts, but I’ll be skipping this season. So sick of the Kardashians.”
“I don’t care if Kim can act or not. It’s inexcusable that someone like her, with her reputation, could be cast in a show that was once so incredible. Bring back the real talent that are actually decent human beings in the real world.”
However, it is not only fans who are upset but even former AHS actors!
Patti Lupone says, “Excuse me, Kim. What are you doing with your life? Don’t get on the stage.” during an interview with Andy Cohen.
The SKKN creator and Murphy were supposedly in contact as they created a role for her.
The Hollywood Reporter reads, “Murphy and Kardashian are friends, and the prolific TV producer and filmmaker is said to have been impressed with her well-received 2021 hosting gig on Saturday Night Live. They began speaking last summer about crafting a unique role for her scripted TV debut.”
Murphy himself goes on to say, “Kim is among the biggest and brightest television stars in the world, and we are thrilled to welcome her to the AHS family.”
“Emma and I are excited about collaborating with this true force in the culture. Halley Feiffer has written a fun, stylish, and ultimately terrifying role, especially for Kim, and this season is ambitious and unlike anything we have ever done,” said the AHS co-creator in a statement to THR.
The show, best known for its anthology aspect, brings back familiar faces like Billie Lourd, Dennis O’Hare, and Emma Roberts in the new season while adding new stars, like the famous Kardashian sisters and Cara Delevingne.
Most fans have speculated that the new season will reminisce on Rosemary’s Baby. The season is loosely based on Danielle Valentine’s new novel, Delicate Condition.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, “The novel is described as a gripping thriller about a woman who becomes convinced that a sinister figure is going to great lengths to ensure her pregnancy never happens. A cover blurb from author Andrea Bartz describes Delicate Condition as ‘the feminist update to Rosemary’s Baby we all needed.’”
Based on the trailer alone, the season lives up to this.
The video follows a rising star named Anna Victoria Alcott (played by Roberts) in her quest to become pregnant through in-vitro fertilization. While going on an Oscar tour, she enlists the help of her friend Siobhan (played by Kardashian) as she suspects someone or something to be targeting her and her growing baby. As the trailer goes on, we, as viewers, can see things becoming increasingly ominous throughout.
The series divides the season into two parts, “Delicate” being the first.
The first episode of American Horror Story: Delicate is now live on television and streaming on FX and Hulu.
*AHS Episode Release Date edited on 9/24/23