LOVE 'em or hate 'em, the Kardashians are a cultural force that built an empire out of an E! reality TV series.
And as the family marked their 10th anniversary on TV, in perhaps a maddening publicity savvy move, gossip sites began running stories that the youngest of the Kardashian-Jenner brood was pregnant.
Even as the "Keeping Up With the Kardashians" special aired, a chyron scrolled by on the bottom of the screen reading: KYLIE JENNER IS PREGNANT: REPORTS.
That story line alone would have been enough to heighten the world's attention on the family: Pregnancy is a hot commodity for celebrity news coverage; Kylie is just 20; and she's only been linked to her current boyfriend for about six months. But the scrutiny amped up considerably asother pregnancy-related stories hit the tabloids.
None of the famous sisters has actually confirmed, on the record, that they are expecting. Still, the stories are breaking and it can be hard to get a handle on them all. Here's a rundown:
Kim Kardashian surrogacy rumors (summer 2017)
This was the first peg in the pregnancy saga. TMZ ran a story in June that Kim and husband Kanye West had hired a surrogate to carry their third child, including some juicy details as to how much they were paying.
Then in July, Us Weekly ran a story that the surrogate was three months pregnant and expecting in November.
But, in an August Hollywood Reporter cover story, the outlet wrote that "on the possibility of a third child, reportedly via a surrogate," Kim said: "I hope so. There have been a lot of things said and Kanye and I have not confirmed anything. We're definitely trying. We are hoping so."
That Kim may have hired a surrogate at all wasn't surprising to begin with; she's been public about her prior difficult pregnancies with North and Saint, and the life-threatening conditions she endured while carrying them.
Kylie Jenner, allegedly pregnant (starting September 22)
TMZ dropped the bombshell Friday: The youngest of the Kardashian-Jenner brood is pregnant, and the father is Travis Scott. The two have been romantically linked since April.
But Kylie herself has not confirmed the reports. Neither have her family members - sort of.
Hollywood Life cited a source close to Caitlyn Jenner as saying she was "shocked and disappointed" to hear her 20-year-old daughter was pregnant. Then, in a non-denial denial, the British tabloid the Sun wrote: "Speaking about claims Caitlyn wasn't personally told her youngest daughter is pregnant, the Olympian's rep confirmed she was told and said: 'All I can tell you is that it was some time ago.'"
What about Kris Jenner? During "Live With Kelly and Ryan," Ryan Seacrest read a text from the momager herself. "Kris says Kylie's not confirming anything," Seacrest said on air. "That's the news from the family this morning. Kylie is not confirming anything."
Kris also talked to the Cut at the Bottega Veneta fashion show, and the matriarch offered frustratingly few details:
"Q: Did you know the news was going to break about Kylie?
"A: I just woke up this morning. She's not confirmed anything. I think it's kind of wild that everyone is just assuming that that's just happening.
"Q: So, you didn't know that rumor was going to happen?
"A: Something happens every single day. You never know what is going to break at any moment."
Even Kylie herself posted throwback, flat-tummy photos on social media - along with a more recent one offering an inconclusive peek at her stomach.
Then came the gossip about how the rest of the family was taking it.
"Kim Kardashian's first reaction to Kylie's pregnancy news was reportedly not great," read a Harpers Bazaar headline. Kim tweeted it, adding: "This sounds like a very fake story ..."
People cited a source saying it was the family's "nightmare" that Kylie would get pregnant with her ex-boyfriend Tyga. (And in case you need a catch-up: Tyga, who dated Kylie Jenner for years, shares a child with Blac Chyna, who then went on to have a daughter with Rob Kardashian. The Blac Chyna-Rob Kardashian romance was short-lived, filmed on a sad reality TV show; it led to a public meltdown and a restraining order.)
- Khloe Kardashian, also apparently expecting! (Sept. 26)
On Tuesday, TMZ, E! and BuzzFeed all cited anonymous sources in reporting that the 33-year-old younger sister of Kourtney and Kim is pregnant, and her boyfriend, Cleveland Cavaliers player Tristan Thompson, is the father.
According to TMZ, Khloe is three months along. Let the clue hunting begin.
Khloe said she was drinking champagne during the family's 10th anniversary special, which was pre-taped. She also talked about Thompson: "Yeah, it's a serious relationship."
She also said she's always in Cleveland whenever he is. Days before the anonymously cited reports about her pregnancy broke, she posted a bare-belly photo, prompting a lot of curious fans to wonder if she was actually three months along. (Yes, we've approached Zapruder film-level analysis here.)
The June season finale of "KUWTK" included a storyline in which Khloe explored whether to serve as a surrogate for Kim. A fertility specialist delivered not-great news to Khloe, and suggested she stop taking birth control pills.
Khloe did just that, and when she received an update that her chances of conceiving had improved, she called Thompson.
"I am so relieved to know that I am able to get pregnant," Khloe said on air. "Now I have so many other things to think about. Do I wanna have my own baby now? I don't know. I'm at a crossroads."
She continued: "Tristan and I definitely talk about starting a family. He wants to have about five or six kids with me and that's lovely. We could start at one and we could grow from there. But now knowing I'm not on birth control is scary. It's like a really big step."
- The conspiracy theories (from the beginning until forever)
The convergence of these three storylines has led to this:
"All the Evidence That Khloe Kardashian Is Kim's Surrogate," reads a Marie Claire headline.
"Is Pregnant Kylie Jenner Secretly Kim Kardashian's Surrogate? An Investigation," proclaims the Daily Beast.
Regardless of whether there's any truth to these avalanche of rumors, one thing's certain: People will keep watching the family on TV, keep scouring social media for clues, and will keep keeping up.
The Washington Post
Thu Sep 28 2017
Even as the "Keeping Up With the Kardashians" special aired, a chyron scrolled by on the bottom of the screen reading: KYLIE JENNER IS PREGNANT: REPORTS. - Filepic
Pro-Palestinian NGOs seek court order to stop Dutch arms exports to Israel
The Dutch state, as a signatory to the 1948 Genocide Convention, has a duty to take all reasonable measures at its disposal to prevent genocide.
How quickly can Trump's Musk-led efficiency panel slash US regulations?
Moves by Trump and his appointees to eliminate existing rules will be met with legal challenges, as many progressive groups and Democratic officials have made clear.
2TM: Consultations on PTPTN loans, admission to IPTA at MOHE booth
Consultations on PTPTN loans and admission to IPTA are among services provided at the Higher Education Ministry booth.
Kampung Tanjung Kala residents affected by flooded bridge every time it rains heavily
Almost 200 residents from 60 homes in Kampung Tanjung Kala have ended up stuck when their 200-metre (m) long concrete bridge flooded.
COP29 climate summit draft proposes rich countries pay $250 billion per year
The draft finance deal criticised by both developed and developing nations.
Bomb squad sent to London's Gatwick Airport after terminal evacuation
This was following the discovery of a suspected prohibited item in luggage.
Kelantan urges caution amidst northeast monsoon rains
Kelantan has reminded the public in the state to refrain from outdoor activities with the arrival of the Northeast Monsoon season.
Former New Zealand PM Jacinda Ardern receives UN leadership award
Former New Zealand prime minister Jacinda Ardern was given a global leadership award by the United Nations Foundation.
ICC'S arrest warrants for Netanyahu, Gallant an apt decision - PM
The decision of the ICC to issue arrest warrants against Benjamin Netanyahu and Yoav Gallant is apt, said Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
KTMB provides two additional ETS trains for Christmas, school holidays
KTMB will provide two additional ETS trains for the KL Sentral-Padang Besar route and return trips in conjunction with the holidays.
BNM'S international reserves rise to USD118 bil as at Nov 15, 2024
Malaysia's international reserves rose to US$118.0 billion as at Nov 15, 2024, up from US$117.6 billion on Oct 30, 2024.
Findings by dark energy researchers back Einstein's conception of gravity
The findings announced are part of a years-long study of the history of the cosmos focusing upon dark energy.
NRES responds to Rimbawatch press release on COP29
The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability (NRES) wishes to offer the following clarifications to the issues raised.
Online Safety Bill and Anti-Cyberbullying Laws must carefully balance rights and protections
The Online Safety Advocacy Group (OSAG) stands united with people in Malaysia in the fight against serious online harms.
Malaysia's inflation at 1.9 pct in Oct 2024 - DOSM
Malaysia's inflation rate for October 2024 has increased to 1.9 per cent, up from 1.8 per cent in September this year.
Saudi Arabia showcases Vision 2030 goals at Airshow China 2024
For the first time, Saudi Arabia is participating in the China International Aviation & Aerospace Exhibition held recently in Zhuhai.
King Charles' coronation cost GBP 71mil, govt accounts show
The coronation of Britain's King Charles cost taxpayers GBP72 million (US$90 million), official accounts have revealed.
Couple and associate charged with trafficking 51.9 kg of meth
A married couple and a man were charged in the Magistrate's Court here today with trafficking 51.974 kilogrammes of Methamphetamine.
PDRM to consult AGC in completing Teoh Beng Hock investigation
The police may seek new testimony from existing witnesses for additional insights into the investigation of Teoh Beng Hock's death.
Thai court rejects petition over ex-PM Thaksin's political influence
Thailand's Constitutional Court rejects a petition seeking to stop Thaksin Shinawatra from interfering in the running the Pheu Thai party.