When the pandemic began over a year ago, one of TV’s most famous matriarchs went into mom mode. According to Forbes, among America’s richest self-made women, Kris Jenner has six children who have all appeared on the family’s “Keeping Up with the Kardashians.” The show concludes with its 20th season this year. “I’m always looking at the glass half-full, and I’m an optimist,” Jenner, 65, tells USA TODAY. “I always think that everything is going to be OK. And it’s my job as everyone’s mom to ensure everybody stays calm and we understand what’s happening.”
Last year on “Keeping Up,” viewers saw her daughter Khloé Kardashian battle COVID-19. She says the pandemic has been “very challenging” for her and her family, “like it was for everybody else.” “Nobody knew what was happening,” she says. “You never knew when it would be over, and you see so many people struggling with the whole situation. I felt blessed that I was in a situation where I wasn’t in fear of losing my job, or I wasn’t in fear of some of the things other people had to deal with.”
Khloé’s older sister, Kim Kardashian West, also spoke out in October about how “scary” it was when her (now) estranged husband, rapper Kanye West, contracted the virus. (Jenner is an executive producer on the long-running E! series.) Jenner’s concern for her family spurred her latest venture, Safely, a line of home cleaning products and self-care items that are “plant-powered” and prioritize scent. The brand offers hand soap and hand cream, sanitizer, laundry detergent, glass cleaner, and a universal cleaner. Items range from $6 to $14 and can be purchased starting Thursday.
“As my family members started to get COVID, it became even more important to me as a mom and a grandmother and wanting everybody to be safe, OK, clean, and protected,” Jenner says. “It’s a huge concern, I think, for anybody when you’re looking for an answer to an invisible enemy.” For Safely, Jenner partnered with model/cookbook author Chrissy Teigen and Emma Grede, who co-founded Good American with Khloé. Jenner applauds the opinionated Teigen for her outspokenness, which has come in handy for their partnership. After announcing their business venture to nearly 14 million followers, Teigen was knocked for teaming with Jenner and accused of being “tone-deaf.”
Reaching her limit with Twitter critics, Teigen decided to delete her account entirely. “It’s time for me to say goodbye,” she posted before her exit. “This no longer serves me as positively as it serves me negatively, and I think that’s the right time to call something.” She wrote: “For years, I have taken so many small, 2-follower count punches that I am honestly deeply bruised at this point.” Jenner praises the “Cravings” author for having “her commentary and her nal Chrissy Teigen take on things. She’s so funny, and she makes me laugh constantly.” To Jenner, Teigen is “so joyful” and “looks at life with a big smile on her face all the time.”
