Kris Jenner Says ‘Tolerance’ Her Greatest Lesson From Bruce’s Gender Transition
Kris Jenner was on the defensive after her ex-husband Bruce revealed plans for a gender transition. During Bruce’s interview with Diane Sawyer, two of Jenner’s ex-wives gave statements of support. Kris reportedly gave “no comment,” although she later claimed she never received an interview request from ABC.
This Sunday and Monday, Keeping Up With the Kardashians will air a two-part special, called “About Bruce.” In an interview with Entertainment Tonight posted yesterday, Kris Jenner disclosed what she personally learned from the experience.
“To be a little bit more tolerant, for sure, to be understanding and to learn that – wow – life can change on a dime… I have learned to be ready for anything.”
Jenner said they chose to tape the special to help other families who are experiencing a similar journey. She also emphasized that she and Bruce talk frequently and have a good relationship. Bruce and Kris have two children together, daughters Kendall and Kylie.
Kris told ET that viewers of the special will learn the truth of how she reacted to Bruce’s news.
“I think people will just see it the way it happens… I think they will be really surprised, just the love that we all have for each other… Everyone loves to jump to conclusions.”
A New York Times profile of Kris Jenner was far more cynical about the Kardashians’ motives for the special. Noting that the family did little press for the current season of Keeping Up With the Kardashians, journalist Taffy Brodesser-Akner said their motivation was not to protect Bruce personally, but to protect his brand.
“When they’re silent on Bruce, they aren’t protecting him from the judgments of a cruel world; they are protecting Bruce’s exclusive.”
And on the controversy over Kris Jenner’s lack of commentary to Diane Sawyer, the Times said that had profit motivation.
“[T]he family would be the beneficiary of the [E! network] special’s ratings. Exclusives had been preserved. The information — what Kris and her daughters would say — had been meted out according to plan.”
The Times also noted that the family’s empire is based on the stories of its members. Jenner denied that they were “greedy,” simply that there are a lot of good ideas out there and her daughters choose to work hard.
The two-part Keeping Up With the Kardashians: About Bruce special airs on E! Sunday and Monday evenings. Kris Jenner told ET that son Rob, who has chosen to remain private in the past several months, will not appear.
[Kris Jenner image courtesy of Getty]
