Kim Kardashian opened up about the devastating impact of the infamous OJ Simpson trial on her family in a recent interview. The reality star revealed that the trial tore her family apart, as her father, Robert Kardashian, was a close friend of Simpson and part of his legal defense team during the trial for the double murder of Nicole Brown Simpson and Ronald Goldman.
Kim and her sister, Kourtney, were teenagers at the time and were torn between their parents, who had chosen different sides during the trial. Kim shared that the trial had a lasting impact on her family and that they struggled to navigate the conflicting loyalties.
Decades after the trial, Kim has refrained from publicly sharing her thoughts on whether or not she believed Simpson was innocent out of respect for his children. Her father, who passed away from cancer in 2003, eventually cut ties with Simpson and expressed doubts over his innocence.
In a controversial move, Kim faced backlash in 2021 for making a joke about Simpson during her opening monologue on Saturday Night Live. The joke was criticized by Nicole Brown Simpson’s sister, Tanya, as being in poor taste and insensitive given the history between their families.
Simpson’s family confirmed his passing at the age of 76 after battling cancer. The former NFL star was acquitted of the murders in the criminal trial but found liable in a civil case brought by the victims’ families. The trial remains one of the most widely publicized events in US history, with Simpson’s defense team famously coining the phrase “if it doesn’t fit, you must acquit.”
The legacy of the trial continues to impact those involved, including Kim Kardashian, who has shared the emotional toll it took on her family.