Kim Kardashian’s transition into acting has hit a rocky start with the release of Ryan Murphy’s new drama, “All’s Fair.” The show places the reality star in the lead role of fictional divorce lawyer Allura Grant, but it has not received the warm welcome anticipated. Critics have been vocal about their disappointment, particularly regarding Kardashian’s performance, which they describe as lacking depth and authenticity.
As of Tuesday, “All’s Fair” boasted a dismal 0% score on Rotten Tomatoes, a figure that only slightly improved to 6% by Wednesday. Critics from major publications have expressed their disdain, with one review from The Hollywood Reporter stating, “Kardashian’s performance, stiff and affectless without a single authentic note, is exactly what the writing, also stiff and affectless without a single authentic note, merits.” The show has faced harsh critiques, with The Telegraph’s critic labeling it a “crime against television.”
The decision to cast Kardashian was made following a dinner arranged by Disney’s co-chair of entertainment, Dana Walden, with Ryan Murphy and Kris Jenner, the matriarch of the Kardashian-Jenner family. Murphy recounted his experience at the show’s premiere, revealing, “I did something I’ve never done in my career, which was I brought a reality pitch and it wasn’t good.” Despite his nerves, Jenner advised him to write a role specifically for Kim, leading to Kardashian’s involvement in the project as both an actress and executive producer.
Kardashian has stated that her character was inspired by her real-life divorce attorney, Laura Wasser, who has represented numerous high-profile clients, including Angelina Jolie and Ariana Grande. This role marks just the beginning of Kardashian’s foray into Hollywood, with future projects including a comedy feature titled The Fifth Wheel, directed by Eva Longoria, and a potential role as a villain in a Bratz movie adaptation.
Despite the presence of an all-star cast, including Naomi Watts, Niecy Nash-Betts, Sarah Paulson, Teyana Taylor, and Glenn Close, critics argue that even these Hollywood A-listers cannot save the show from its poor ratings. The Guardian’s review described it as a “Ryan Murphy disaster,” criticizing the dismal plots and clueless characters while specifically calling Kardashian’s performance “expressionless” and “useless.”
Interestingly, audience reactions have been more favorable. The Rotten Tomatoes “Popcornmeter,” which tracks audience reviews, rated the show at 62% as of Wednesday. Some viewers have embraced the campiness of the show, describing it as “fun to watch” and reminiscent of “old ABC dramas.” One user on X remarked, “All’s Fair on Hulu dares to ask the question, ‘Does a show need to be good?’ & the answer is no, it doesn’t.”
Kardashian’s fans have expressed their enjoyment of her performance, comparing it to episodes of her family’s reality series. The negative reviews seem to have piqued interest among some viewers, with comments like, “0% on Rotten Tomatoes… oh I need to watch this IMMEDIATELY,” highlighting a trend where bad reviews can sometimes generate curiosity and draw in audiences.
New episodes of “All’s Fair” are set to release weekly at midnight ET on Tuesdays until December 23. As the series unfolds, it remains to be seen how both critics and audiences will continue to respond to Kardashian’s performance and the show's overall direction.
