Summary
American Horror Story has a history of stunt casting, including famous stars like Lady Gaga and Macaulay Culkin.
Lady Gaga's performance in the show breathed new life into it and paved the way for additional acting opportunities, demonstrating the potential success of casting against type. Conversely, Kim Kardashian's involvement in American Horror Story has faced criticism, possibly stemming from bias against reality stars and influencers transitioning to scripted projects.
American Horror Story continues its trend of bringing in well-known celebrities for its cast, and this time, it has chosen Kim Kardashian for season 12. However, unlike previous instances, the reaction to her involvement has been largely negative. The show has a history of featuring acclaimed actors and up-and-coming stars, such as Jessica Lange and Lily Rabe, who have been fan favorites in previous seasons. Additionally, American Horror Story has attracted attention by casting famous personalities like Lady Gaga and Macaulay Culkin in the past. In the recent season 10 double feature, they also included Kaia Gerber, supermodel Cindy Crawford's daughter, who has gone on to appear in other films and TV shows. Nevertheless, Kim Kardashian's role in American Horror Story: Delicate has generated a unique and unfavorable response.
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American Horror Story's Stunt Casting Explained
Kim Kardashian is not the initial non-actress to be featured in American Horror Story, as the show has a history of showcasing famous guests. During the show's second season, American Horror Story: Asylum, Adam Levine had a brief appearance at the beginning of the premiere episode, despite extensive promotion of his role. In the subsequent season, American Horror Story: Coven, renowned Fleetwood Mac artist Stevie Nicks made a cameo in a few scenes, including a performance of Fleetwood Mac's 1987 hit "Seven Wonders."
Lady Gaga Revitalized AHS - Could Kim Kardashian Do The Same?
When it came to Lady Gaga's appearance in season 5 of American Horror Story: Hotel, the show took stunt casting to the next level. However, unlike the other stunt casting choices, Gaga had a significant role in the season. Many were initially skeptical about including the pop star in the series, but those fears were proven wrong. Lady Gaga's performance in American Horror Story season 5 was very well received.American Horror Story: Hotel made a wise choice by featuring Lady Gaga. Following the fourth season, American Horror Story: Freak Show, which received less acclaim compared to previous installments, the show faced a challenge for its fifth season. Jessica Lange, a beloved member of the cast, had decided to depart from the show. In order to maintain viewer interest, the series required a cast member of comparable significance who could carry the show on their own.
Lady Gaga's role in the show earned her a Golden Globe and opened doors for other acting opportunities, including "A Star Is Born" in 2018 and "House Of Gucci" in 2021. Her impressive performance in "American Horror Story: Hotel" helped the series stay afloat, despite not having its most popular star, Lange. However, the show has struggled in recent years with declining viewership. To shake things up, there is hope that a new stunt casting, such as Kim Kardashian, who is equally influential in a different genre, could bring attention to "American Horror Story: Delicate." Kardashian's debut in a major scripted TV series has garnered mostly negative attention, and in order to revive the series, she will need to deliver a strong and unique performance in season 12 that proves critics wrong.
The Kim Kardashian Backlash Suggests Prejudice Against Reality Stars & Influencers
Kim Kardashian's lack of acting experience has drawn significant criticism, particularly for her role in American Horror Story. Even Patti Lupone, a seasoned actress who appeared in the show, expressed her disapproval of Kardashian's casting. Lupone believes that Kardashian is taking away opportunities from trained professionals. Kardashian's role seems to evoke strong negative reactions, possibly stemming from the public's general disdain towards reality stars and social media influencers transitioning into scripted productions.
Given the widespread discussions surrounding industry privilege, Kardashian's casting in American Horror Story further amplifies these perceptions. Although no one in the Kardashian family has achieved success as established Hollywood actors, Kim Kardashian's preexisting fame sets her apart. Traditionally, American Horror Story has served as a launching pad for stars from various backgrounds, and the success of Kardashian's acting career will depend on how her character and the new season are received.
Source: Watch What Happens Live (via YouTube)