One Plus One

How does a divorcée with a high school education, no alimony, and four kids to support mastermind the rise of one of America’s most ubiquitous and polarizing families — one that now includes the world’s youngest self-made billionaire? Before she becomes the world’s most famous “momager,” Kris Jenner blows up her marriage to O.J. Simpson lawyer Robert Kardashian. But she leaves with something invaluable: a first-class education in the art of image management. When she meets Bruce Jenner (now known as Caitlyn Jenner), a former Olympian with a sputtering career, he becomes her blueprint for turning a well-known person into a brand. In the first episode of our six part series about the Kardashian-Jenner clan, we look at how Kris’ humble beginnings and failed marriage fuel her drive for wealth and fame — and create the template she and her daughters will use to build a business empire.

Kim Kardashian's life is turned upside down when a sex tape she made years earlier suddenly surfaces. But Kris Jenner realizes she might be able to leverage fame from the tape into endorsements, just like she did for her husband Bruce. As Kris steers Kim through a very public crisis, Kris and Kim go from mother and daughter to manager and client. Meanwhile Kris brokers a deal to get the family on air in their very own reality show, Keeping Up With the Kardashians. But as Kim emerges as the star — and Mom's favorite — can the family weather their changing relationships?

The Kardashian ladies are cashing in on their reality TV fame with a string of unglamorous endorsements. But Kim’s star is rising faster than that of her sisters. She’s quickly emerging as one of social media’s biggest icons, and as she turns 30, Kim seeks a more equal partnership with her mom, Kris Jenner. Then she dives into a whirlwind engagement with basketball player Kris Humphries. Both Kim and Kris know the wedding can pull Kim from B-list celebrity onto the A-list, and they plan to profit from it. But this very public relationship will cost Kim her credibility — and could damage her career forever.

Kim Kardashian’s new relationship with rapper Kanye West is transforming her. Through Kanye, Kim realizes she can legitimize her fame and public presence by wearing the most elite designers and appearing in the classiest magazines. She begins to convert her social media following into dollars as she becomes one of the biggest internet influencers ever. Together, Kim and Kanye will become the most influential couple on the globe, and catapult Kim from B-celebrity status to the A-list. Then Kim launches a viral mobile game, Kim Kardashian: Hollywood, and suddenly, she’s making millions. Kim thinks she is wringing the maximum possible revenue out of her fame. But in the wings, her younger half-sister Kylie is waiting to show her how it’s done.

With the launch of her lip kits — and the aid of Kris Jenner's business acumen — Kylie Jenner emerges as the biggest earner in the family. Kylie Cosmetics sells millions of dollars worth of makeup, and puts her on track to become the youngest self-made billionaire ever. But the family is facing setbacks. When Caitlyn Jenner (formerly Bruce) comes out as a transgender woman, the partnership that launched the Kardashian-Jenner dynasty ends, as Caitlyn and Kris go their separate ways. And the Kardashians come under increasing fire for their record of cultural appropriation, which reaches fever pitch when Kendall Jenner stars in an ill-conceived Pepsi commercial.

Kim’s still a hard-nosed businesswoman, but she’s grown bored of material things. She’s looking for something more, and finds it in an unexpected quest for criminal justice reform. She becomes an advocate — and even convinces President Trump to commute an incarcerated grandmother. Kylie’s cosmetics company keeps growing, and she is officially crowned a billionaire. But the Kardashians must navigate America’s changing attitude to capitalist excess. Fortunately for Kim and Kylie, they have Kris Jenner to guide them.

Broadway composers Nell Benjamin and Laurence O’Keefe (Legally Blonde: The Musical, Mean Girls, Heathers: The Musical) stop by to discuss how they got their start, how their creative relationship has changed over time, and the biggest hurdles they’ve faced as a team.