In a recent face-to-face conversation, Kim Kardashian and Chloë Sevigny discussed their motivations for pursuing acting. When Sevigny asked Kardashian, the founder of Skims, if she was a big cinephile, Kardashian responded bluntly, “I love nostalgic movies. I’m a Clueless/The Notebook kinda girl.” She then asked Sevigny about her favorite films growing up.

Sevigny revealed, “Tootsie was my favorite when I was a little girl. I was obsessed with Jessica Lange and then got to work with her, of course, on American Horror Story. And I got to work with Molly Ringwald on Feud, another pinch-me moment. Pretty in Pink and Sixteen Candles meant so much to me. In high school, I got into the more independent scene and was drawn to certain actresses like Mia Farrow and Anna Magnani, the great Italian actress, and Gena Rowlands and all the Cassavetes movies. I was really drawn to these women who were powerhouses: Elizabeth Taylor and the list goes on and on. Joan Harlow was my favorite; I left white flowers by her grave here in Los Angeles.”

Sevigny’s remarks seemed to underscore a contrast between her deep-seated passion for classic and independent cinema and Kardashian’s rise to fame through reality TV. This conversation highlighted differing paths to the world of acting, prompting us to reflect on what truly defines an actor.