Dekonstructing the Kardashians: A New Media Manifesto

by M.J. Corey

From the creator of the highly popular Kardashian Kolloquium comes a New Media manifesto for the TikTok age, blending theory and cultural analysis to explain the meteoric rise of the Kardashians and explore what their fame can teach us about the way media functions today

Since 2007, Kim Kardashian and the extended Kardashian family have been mesmerizing—and scandalizing—America. Whether we’ve liked it or not, we’ve been inundated with stories of their social lives, scandals, and reality show shenanigans and have witnessed the subsequent ascent of their multibillion-dollar fashion, beauty, and media empire. But the question why are the Kardashians so famous in the first place? And what does this tell us about the New Media that has delivered them to us?

In Dekonstructing the Kardashians, MJ Corey, creator of the viral social media presence Kardashian Kolloquium, brings us not only the definitive chronicle of the family that’s captivated a nation, but, perhaps more importantly, the story of how media has transformed in the internet age and how it continues to transform us as individuals and as a culture at large. Part media theory, part cultural analysis, Dekonstructing the Kardashians interweaves history from the past 50 years of Western media—from the Old Hollywood studio system to the advent of the 24-hour news cycle to tabloid culture and beyond—with analysis of the cultural influence Kim Kardashian wields over us all and the influences that have shaped her in kind. In so doing, Corey offers proof that the Kardashians are, in fact, the First Family of our image-saturated and deeply divided nation, while also demonstrating how they hold the keys to understanding the schizophrenic, self-referential reality of our current era.

Genres: Nonfiction

464 pages, Hardcover

Expected publication May 5, 2026

Reviews

[Erin]

ARC for review. To be published May 5, 2026.

DNF

This sounded interesting and I tried but it was more like a boring media studies textbook where the same four scholars are quoted over and over again. There were a few interesting tidbits but they were immersed in too much blah.

[sami is losing her mind]

watched a video essay by the author and it was so good it sent me down a rabbit-hole that lead me to their book! looking forward to reading this one.

[Paige · Rating 4 out of 5]

"A woman must continually watch herself. She is almost continually accompanied by her own image of herself."

This book is an interesting blend of cultural analysis and media theory that takes a look at one of the most famous families in the world. It not only asks the question of "why are the Kardashians famous?", but also "what events and people have impacted our culture to make us interested in the Kardashians?" It opens up the conversation into something broader, and touches on subjects that have to do with our overall relationship with pop culture, media, and celebrity. Some people are going to see some of the connections the author makes as a stretch (there's one chapter that makes connections between Disney, the Gulf War, and the way Kim presents her ethnicity that is particularly interesting), which is inevitable in a book that utilizes any sort of analysis/theory. As technical as it gets at times, it still manages to be a fairly accessible read, and I think it would still be enjoyable to the average person who is interested in the Kardashians or pop culture in general.

As someone who has always been fascinated with pop culture and celebrity - and who has a Mass Media degree - I love this kind of deep dive. There's clearly so much that can be discussed when you're talking about the Kardashians, both as a whole and when looking at each individual. Even if you aren't fans of theirs, you have to acknowledge how impressive it is that they've managed to sustain their level of fame for this many years, and be so in tune to what's going to keep them relevant as culture shifts and changes. I think they're all going in such interesting directions in their lives as they grow their families and pursue different careers (Kim getting her law degree being the most notable), and I really wonder how they'll change how they present themselves and imbed themselves in the culture.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an eARC in exchange for an honest review!

[Angie Miale · Rating 4 out of 5]

MJ Corey, the author, has a blog about the Kardashians and their influence. This book, while not what I was expecting, was very well researched and authoritative. I think this could be used as a textbook for a university Media Studies class, as it was not really *about* the Kardashians so much as it was about *how we consume* the Kardashians. The book is structured by the characters that Kimberly has "cosplayed" as, which is a substantial list, and how our culture views them- her racial ambiguity as Cleopatra, sometimes as a powerful family as Jackie O- and this is more about Jackie O and Cleopatra as fashion icons, not about themselves. Kim isn't necessarily comparing herself to Princess Jasmine, she is using these characters as Spice Girls as much as Marie Antoinette- with wigs and costumes and all the camp. While the narrative talks about all 6 of the Kar-Jenner kids, this is 95% Kimberly and for good reason.

I am more of a fiction/memoir reader but since I can't bear to look away from the Kardashians, I requested this book and I am grateful to have been gifted it as a Pantheon Partner. It definitely challenged me with a more research academic heavy nature, but I was still very much hooked and intrigued. Particularly behind the actual structure of the book. It isn't a tell all, it is about how a matriarchy didn't reject the patriarchy but they did monetize it. It is undeniable and intriguing as a business and media proposition.

Thank you again to Pantheon for the ARC. Book to be published May 5, 2026

[Lexi readingwhilehot · Rating 2 out of 5]

Topic is rich for sociology! Unfortunately this book just was not it. There were way too many attempted connections made to other sociological topics, and they weren’t organized enough to form any kind of argument or “addition” to Kardashian discourse.

Overall the language was highly academic, and so full of jargon that it became inaccessible. It read more like a collection of think pieces that loosely referenced each other. I struggle to know who this book is written for, what it is attempting to add to the pop discourse, and who I would recommend it to.

Thank you net galley for the free ecopy for the honest review

[Penelope Bloom · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m here for this book and the intellectual exploration of the cultural phenomenon that is the Kardashians. I’ll admit that I am not a huge Kardashian fan (I haven’t even seen all the episodes of Keeping up with the Kardashians!) but their influence on society is undeniable and this author gives this phenomenon the care and attention it deserves. I very much respect what the author has done here and think this is a worthwhile read.

[Mamou]

IVE NEVER BEEN MORE EXCITED FOR A BOOK !!!!!!!