Although Caitlyn Jenner has been in the spotlight for decades as an Olympian-turned-reality-star,
she became a bonafide cultural phenomenon after coming out as transgender in 2015.
But once the shock of her transition began to subside, a number of controversies, missteps,
and gossip encroached on Jenner's popularity.
Here's the real reason we don't we hear much from Caitlyn Jenner anymore.
Canceling I Am Cait
The E! docu-series I Am Cait broke new ground in transgender representation on television.
With a record 2.7 million viewers tuning into its 2015 premiere, the popular show followed
Jenner as she transitioned into her new lifestyle.
"People don't understand looking into the mirror and nothing seems right."
The show was awarded Outstanding Reality Program at the GLAAD Media Awards the following year.
But despite its impressive debut, the reality show struggled to sustain an audience.
As ratings fell dramatically, the series got the ax after just two seasons.
The network said in a statement,
"We are incredibly proud of the two seasons of I Am Cait.
[...] Caitlyn and E! have mutually decided not to move forward with another season at
this time.
She will always remain a part of the E! family, and we look forward to continue following
her journey as she appears on Keeping Up with the Kardashians."
For her part, Jenner remained optimistic, tweeting,
"After 2 amazing seasons of I Am Cait, it's time for the next adventure.
Thank you E and thank you to the best girlfriends I could ask for!"
On the outs with the community
During the 2016 election, Jenner's conservative views prompted members of the LGBTQ community
to question her grasp on their issues.
After facing severe backlash for admitting her initial ambivalence to marriage equality
on Ellen in 2015…
"At first I was not for it."
...Jenner further risked alienating the LGBTQ community with her continued alignment with
the GOP and support of then-presidential candidate Donald Trump.
"If Hillary ever becomes president, the country is over."
Jenner told USA Today in 2017,
"Listen, I understand the Democratic party is better on all LGBT issues, I'm not an idiot."
Months after claiming that hurting the LGBTQ community would be a "deal breaker," Jenner
was forced to finally call out the Trump administration for attempting to ban transgender people from
serving in the military.
She wrote on her website,
"I believe every American should be outraged by the disrespect shown to those people wearing
our country's uniform.
The President must ask himself which side of history he will be on — and reverse his
position immediately."
But Jenner's efforts may have been too little, too late.
Activist Danielle Moodie-Mills told The Wrap,
"Caitlyn has eroded a lot of the enthusiasm that the LGBT community at large had for her
as she was coming out."
Offending her new tribe
When Jenner was awarded Transgender Champion at the 2015 Glamour Woman of the Year Awards,
her triumph soon became mired in controversy.
"Maybe this is why God put me on this earth.
To tell my story, to be honest with myself about who I am."
While backstage at the event, she infamously told BuzzFeed,
"The hardest part about being a woman is figuring out what to wear."
She was immediately hit with heavy backlash.
Rose McGowan wrote in a since-deleted Facebook post,
"Caitlyn Jenner you do not understand what being a woman is about at all.
Being a woman comes with a lot of baggage.
The weight of unequal history.
[…] Woman of the year?
Not by a long f--king shot."
To be fair, Jenner went on to tell BuzzFeed,
"I'm kind of at this point in my life where, um, I'm trying to figure this womanhood thing
out."
But clearly, the damage was already done.
The Kardashian-Jenner feud
Jenner's 2017 tell-all memoir, The Secrets of My Life, became a point of contention with
the Kardashian side of her family.
The book revealed controversial family intel, including claims that ex-wife Kris Jenner
knew about Caitlyn's gender identity.
"Did she tell you early on?"
No.
Oh I did too."
"She keeps saying she told me but she didn't."
It wasn't long before mounting tensions erupted into an all-out family feud.
"All through the book.
Kris knew.
Kris knew before I even made love to her.
And I'm like, what?"
Although Caitlyn claims her family is priority to her, she told ABC news that her kids have
grown distant, saying,
"I have to admit, I'll sit here and wonder, 'Is it because of my transitioning?
Or is it because their life is so busy that they don't call, like, all the time?'
[...] Everybody in the entire family has to make some major, major, major adjustments,
and that's not easy on me and it's not easy on them."
"I'd like to thank my family."
"I am so so grateful to have all of you in my life."
A reality no-show
Following I Am Cait's unceremonious cancellation, Caitlyn occasionally appeared on Keeping up
with the Kardashians, but she eventually disappeared from the series completely in 2017.
But her absence wasn't surprising.
As her relationship with the Kardashians became more strained, even ex-wife Kris seemed to
lose track of Caitlyn.
Kris told Variety in 2017,
"You might see [her] in maybe Episode 1.
I'm just not sure.
[…] I can't remember.
I can't remember what happened yesterday!"
Soon after, Caitlyn's rep confirmed to Insider that she wouldn't be returning for the show's
14th season.
Concerns for her health
Caitlyn endured a new round of negative press after rumors concerning her supposed hidden
health crisis circulated online in January 2018.
A report claimed that she was facing knee-replacement surgery due to chronic knee pain stemming
from her Olympic training days.
A source alleged to Radar Online that the pain was exacerbated by the surgical procedures
Jenner underwent during her transition, claiming,
"Cait's paying for it now.
Her knees stiffen up and ache.
[...] Of course, the condition has worsened since Caitlyn began wearing heels full-time.
[...] The last thing she wants is to give them up just when she can finally wear them
in public!"
According to the gossip rag, the reality star, who reportedly took medication to ease the
pain, had gone against doctor's orders by continuing to rock her stilettos.
"Don't get jealous, Khloe, it's filling up."
But these days, Caitlyn may be doing just fine — her reps have denied the website's
claims.
Doing it for charity
"The greatest beauty is inner peace of mind about who you are as a person."
After transitioning, Caitlyn became devoted to using her newfound platform to foster real
change, particularly in raising awareness about LGBTQ issues.
Most notably, she partnered with MAC Cosmetics in February 2016 and helped raise $1.3 million
for the MAC AIDS Fund Transgender Initiative through her Finally Free lipstick line.
She told the company,
"The horror stories I've heard of homelessness, and of what we call 'survival crimes' by trans
people just to survive — it's shocking to see how tough it really is out there for most
of the community.
[...] I realize that I'm in a position where I can help people who are really struggling
by creating a platform and bringing exposure to the issue."
The following January, Jenner announced that she and MAC would collaborate on an entire
line of products, posting: "I'm excited for EVERYONE (all races.
all ages. all sexes) to fearlessly rock these shades into 2017."
But when it became known that none of the proceeds from the new line would be donated,
she received harsh criticism from members of the trans community.
Dee Culp, a trans woman, said at the time,
"If they want to target this line on the trans community and ask us to spend our money, she
should definitely split the [profits for] donations."
A tragic incident
"Bruce Jenner involved in a fatal car crash.
Someone involved in this accident did die."
In February 2015, Jenner was involved in a fatal multi-car accident in which she rear-ended
a Lexus driven by Kim Howe and sent Howe into oncoming traffic, leading to a head-on collision
with a Hummer that killed Howe.
"What do you remember about the accident?"
"Very little.
I remember it happening.
That's about it."
An investigation determined that Jenner wasn't speeding or using her cell phone and had engaged
her brakes before impact.
But the accident led to a three-year legal battle in civil courts — and a lot of negative
press.
Caitlyn said in a statement,
"My heartfelt and deepest sympathies go out to the family and loved ones, and to all of
those who were involved or injured in this terrible accident.
It is a devastating tragedy and I cannot pretend to imagine what this family is going through
at this time."
After settling a lawsuit with the Prius driver involved in the crash, in December 2015, the
following January, Caitlyn settled a wrongful death lawsuit with Howe's stepchildren.
But she still faced another case with the driver of the Hummer.
In January 2018 that lawsuit resulted in an $800,000 settlement.
Turning it around
Caitlyn's popularity may have lost some steam since she transitioned in 2015, but she's
not one to be kept down.
Despite her controversial position within the community, Caitlyn is still revered as
an icon for LGBTQ rights around the world.
In March 2018, her activism was recognized by the World Value Network, which honored
her as a Champion of Israel and LGBTQ rights.
Jenner told radio host John Catsimatidis in 2017, that she might even consider an activism-based
political run in the future, saying,
"Can I do a better job from the outside?
Or are you better off from the inside, and we are in the process of determining that."
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