Are the Westbrooks the Next Kardashians?

These sisters are set to be the next power family.

Nov 04, 2015
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Complex Original

Image via Complex Original

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Complex Original

Image via Complex Original

From social likes to socialites, the Westbrook girls know how to capitalize with a good selfie. These days the Kardashians are international celebrities, but when their show Keeping Up With The Kardashians first aired in 2007, they were simply rich girls from Calabasas with a clothing store who became a household name after a sex tape was leaked then sold to the highest bidder. 

They built an empire off of an unceasing presence on TV and social media.

We all have a love-hate relationship with the Kardashian-Jenner clan, but clearly, there’s a new family in town ready to take the spotlight after claiming their fame through social media. But the question on everyone’s mind is, who the fuck are the Westbrooks?

In 2011, I stumbled across a picture of these gorgeous, curly-haired sisters, Crystal, India, Morgan and Bree, courtesy of Crystal Westbrooks’ Tumblr. 

Nobody, myself included, knew anything about these girls except that they were from Los Angeles and were absolutely stunning. Fast-forward four years and with over 2 million followers combined, they’re now building an empire. India caught the attention of mainstream media when her relationship with The Game went public (around the same time as Kylie and Tyga's)—it was their "Park Scandal" in August of 2015 that really pushed them over the edge.

By that point, India and Crystal had established modeling careers; Morgan had a couple successful businesses under her belt; Brooke was building a relationship with Alan, brother of Tyga and T-Rell of Last Kings; and to say the least, Bree was finding her own path. All of this caught the eye of BET, who came along and gave them a reality show.  

The Westbrooks is a series surrounding the "First Family of Social Media," who are​ based in Compton, CA, looking to build an empire out of their huge social media followings​ and "be a voice for a different crowd to make sure that this generation stays positive." 

They aren’t exactly the Kardashians (because who really can be?), but each girl has some direct correlation to a respective Kardashian-Jenner girl.

India

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Who Does She Level With: Kylie

But Why: Her IDGAF persona paired with her enticing selfies and her fair share of drama (her tumultuous, very publicized former relationship with The Game) cause us to love and hate the baby of this family.

Why You Should Follow Her: Aside from her adorable puppy, Bronx, India has a host of pictures flaunting her rock-solid hourglass.

Being the youngest of any family has its perks and downfalls, like how India is labeled “the diva.” Her Insta-feed is basically a thirst trap with tangible benefits—though it’s definitely not free to be featured. “I charge at least a couple hundred just to have your link in my bio. I brand myself a certain way just to have certain people gravitate toward me,” India said in a recent interview with BET. She posts whatever she pleases and doesn’t care what anyone has to say about it. Whether she’s promoting a hair extension company, “showing off” her bae or simply the fact that she's perfected the art of good lighting, you and 1.2 million other people can’t deny her impact.

Crystal

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Who Does She Level With: Kendall

But Why: Her laid-back yet adventurous vibe, natural beauty and ability to have a good comeback if necessary is identical to Kendall. 

Why You Should Follow Her: Crystal’s feed is a direct correlation to her soul, full of witty and occasionally inspiring captions with “modern-day Lisa Bonet”-esque pictures. It was recently hacked, but that hasn’t slowed her down at all. She can “make bank,” racking up thousands of dollars weekly and in between photoshoots and family outings, she’s just a senior in college majoring in business finance. 

No one tell Crystal that I'm making this comparison though. In a recent interview with Allure, this free-spirit gave her opinion on her family’s constant comparisons to the Kardashians: “People always compare us to the Kardashians, but the main difference is that we're a black family with two loving parents who have been married for 30 years. We're not very glamorous. We're from Compton. We don't eat in Beverly Hills. We're not pulling up in Bentleys. I took an Uber to work.” It was a calm follow-up to a mini Twitter rant a few weeks prior.

Bree

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Who Does She Level With: Kim

But Why: Kylie may be King, Kim is a self-proclaimed Princess, but it’s Queen Bree who’s coming to claim the throne.

Why You Should Follow Her: Bree is the “it girl” for rising plus-size fashion companies. She is nice enough to entertain follow sprees and has no problem flaunting her curves in anything she chooses. Add her adorable son, Tyler to the mix and it’s obvious Bree has what it takes to be both down-to-earth and a dolled up, selfie queen.

Bree is a huge romantic who’s ready to take her modeling career to the next level. Her love life is the center of some of the show’s controversy, but at the end of the day, all that matters to her is her son and providing for him.

Morgan

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Who Does She Level With: Khloé

But Why: She’s a bonafide badass.

Why You Should Follow Her: She’s a guy’s girl who loves to ride dirtbikes, motorcycles and is an entrepreneur. She has more tattoos than anyone can count with a body that anyone can envy.

Morgan is both the oddball and the peacemaker of her family—just like our beloved Khloé. She has no filter, isn’t afraid to tell it like it is, and will do anything for her family while also keeping their asses in check. Morgan’s also the go-to girl if you’re ready to turn up and have a good time at any function.

Brooke

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Who Does She Level With: Kourtney

But Why: She’s the oldest and is known for her clapbacks. 

Why You Should Follow Her: She’s grounded, has a budding fashion line and three cute kids that keep her feed very entertaining.

Brooke and Morgan’s relationship is just like Kourtney’s and Khloé’s. They live together in Morgan’s house and Brooke’s long-time boyfriend and father to her children is always creating tension—especially with patriarch of the family, Warren Westbrooks—just as Scott Disick, a.k.a. Lord Disick, did for so many years at Kourtney's side.

Only time will tell if these girls have what it takes to have an empire that rivals the Kardashians. They’re definitely on the right track though and we’ll be watching to see what’s next for the Westbrooks.

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