Kim Kardashian's marriage to Kris Humphries famously lasted 72 days, and was reported in the tabloids as being all about the big bucks paid by magazines for the bridal photos: it is a spectacle of a bride - to - be as entrepreneur, not as romantic heroine; the groom, in this scenario, is nothing but a prop.
---Naomi Wolf---
This quote sheds light on the often performative nature of celebrity relationships, particularly in how they become commodified spectacles for public consumption. It highlights a critical perspective on the institution of marriage when viewed through the lens of media and capitalism. Instead of a romantic union based on intimate connection, the marriage is painted as a strategic business move, where the bride assumes the role of an entrepreneur capitalizing on mass media's insatiable appetite for spectacle. This framing diminishes the groom to a mere prop, erasing his personal agency and reducing the relationship to a transactional facade designed to stir public attention and generate profit.
In a broader context, this draws attention to the intersection between personal life and public image in contemporary society, particularly among celebrities. The quote underlines how private experiences become curated performances, often driven by financial incentives rather than authentic emotional bonds. It critiques the societal fascination with celebrity culture and the media's role in shaping and perpetuating such narratives. Importantly, it calls readers to consider the consequences of such public spectacles on the individuals involved, who may be seen less as people and more as components of a commodified narrative.
Overall, the quote invites reflection on how economic forces and media narratives influence human relationships today and risk undermining the beauty and sincerity traditionally associated with intimacy and marriage.