The Kardashian clan’s rise to stardom is as intriguing as it is controversial. While much of their fame stems from their reality TV empire, their ties with infamous figures such as O.J. Simpson have also thrust them into the limelight.
O.J. Simpson, a renowned athlete and Hollywood personality, became infamous following his notorious 1994 police chase and subsequent 1995 murder trial. Despite being charged with the murder of his ex-wife, Nicole Brown Simpson, and her friend Ron Goldman, Simpson was acquitted.
Nicole Brown Simpson’s death had far-reaching implications, particularly for the Kardashian family who shared close ties with the athlete and his late wife. The Kardashians’ patriarch, Robert Kardashian Sr., was a friend of Simpson’s from their college days and later served as his lawyer during the trial.
The Kardashian family’s connection with Simpson runs deeper than just legal representation. The two families were so close that Khloe Kardashian even referred to Simpson as “Uncle O.J.” and Nicole as “Aunt Nicole.”
During a 1994 Easter vacation to Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, the Kardashian family and the Simpsons were seen together, a snapshot capturing their close relationship before Nicole’s death just three months later.
Kris Jenner, the matriarch of the Kardashian family, had a unique perspective on the entire situation. She was married to Robert Kardashian Sr. and had deep ties with Nicole Brown Simpson. The trial was a tough time for her, as she believed Nicole had been murdered by Simpson.
In her 2011 memoir, “Kris Jenner … and All Things Kardashian,” she voiced her belief about Nicole’s abuse by Simpson. She also shut down rumors about an alleged affair with Simpson and the speculation that he was Khloe’s father.
Caitlyn Jenner, formerly Bruce Jenner and Kris Jenner’s ex-spouse, was also deeply affected by the trial. She has expressed strong views about Simpson’s guilt, stating in her memoir, “The Secrets of My Life,” that she believes Simpson committed the murders.
Caitlyn’s statements about Simpson have been quite bold. After news of Simpson’s death broke, she posted on social media, “Good Riddance #OJSimpson.”
Khloe Kardashian, who was nine at the time of the trial, has expressed that the entire situation was confusing for her. She has chosen to keep her thoughts about Simpson’s guilt or innocence private, even opting to eat a fish eye in a game on “The Late Late Show with James Corden” instead of answering the question, “Do you think O.J. did it?”
Kim Kardashian, who sided with her dad during the trial, spoke about how the situation tore her family apart. She also made a reference to O.J. Simpson in her monologue when she hosted “Saturday Night Live” in October 2021, resulting in backlash from Nicole’s sister, Tanya Brown.