Kim Kardashian made her debut in the season premiere of American Horror Story: Delicate on Wednesday — and many critics agreed that her performance was more than passable, even contending she may be “perfect” for her role.
Kardashian, 42, plays Siobhan, the publicist to actress Anna Victoria Alcott ( Emma Roberts). The reality star receives some of the season premiere’s most colorful dialogue, with her character’s bombastic first line being, “Then tell the Daniels to suck my c — -!”, referring to a client she refuses to allow to miss a press day for a commercial shoot.
According to most critics, the SKIMS mogul proved to be a good fit for the fierce character.
“You feel like Kim is channeling her mom-anager Kris Jenner in an homage,” wrote Deadline editorial director and box office editor Anthony D’Alessandro.
“She’s perfect for the part,” D’Alessandro continued. “Everyone calm down, it’s not like Kim is playing Portia in Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice.”
USA Today entertainment reporter Patrick Ryan asserted that Kardashian “cleverly leans into that Valley girl persona” in this new role.
“Kardashian’s acting skills may be more People’s Choice than Emmy-worthy,” added Ryan. “But like American Horror Story alums Jessica Lange and Lady Gaga before her, she’s the only one so far to deliver on the season’s high-camp potential.”
Meanwhile, The Daily Beast’s entertainment critic Coleman Spilde said he looks forward to watching the rest of this season, declaring, “It’s Kardashian who, based on Tuesday night’s premiere, is going to make this season truly worth watching.”
“Her affected line readings and familiar face might make it hard to take the show completely seriously, but that’s exactly what AHS needs: a season that has given up on trying to be anything more than good, campy fun,” he added.
Given the initial critical reception to Kardashian’s performance, American Horror Story: Delicate may prove to be a return to form for the over-the-top horror series, now in its 12th season. Besides Kardashian and Roberts, this season’s cast also includes Cara Delevingne, Michaela Jaé Rodriguez and Zachary Quinto, who cameos on the series.
The announcement of Kardashian’s casting earlier this year made waves, with the Kardashians star, herself, revealing in May that she was taking acting lessons to prepare for her role.
“It’s really fun to step outside of your comfort zone and try something new and grow,” she told of starring in the Ryan Murphy-created series. “I like to challenge myself.”
Zachary Quinto also praised Kardashian’s acting chops at the Tribeca Film Festival premiere of his new film He Went That Way.
“I did a cameo on this season of American Horror Story and I got to meet her,” Quinto, 46, shared with reporters. “She was so lovely and warm and, really, I don’t think she needs my advice.”
“She seemed really in her element, and I was really impressed by her spirit and her openness,” the actor continued. “I really look forward to seeing this season because I think she’s gonna do a wonderful job.”
The AHS role marks Kardashian’s first acting part in over a decade. She had minor roles in 2009’s Disaster Movie, Tyler Perry’s Temptation: Confessions of a Marriage Counselor, CSI: NY and Drop Dead Diva. She also played herself in How I Met Your Mother, and Two Broke Girls.
She also made her Saturday Night Live hosting debut in October 2021.
American Horror Story: Delicate airs Wednesdays at 10 p.m. ET on FX and can be streamed Thursdays on Hulu.
