People magazine is paying Kim Kardashian more than $1 million for exclusive coverage of her engagement and wedding, sources told Page Six — but now the mag’s editors are concerned that the public fascination over the curvy beauty may be waning.
Kim’s surprise engagement to NBA star Kris Humphries graced the cover of People last month, with the mag touting “the incredible proposal — and the 20.5 carat ring.” The weekly paid her $300,000 and has now made a second deal for coverage of the reality star’s wedding for just over $1 million.
But some magazine staffers are concerned their investment won’t be recouped, according to sources. The $1 million deal was reached after OK! magazine put in an offer of nearly double that but backed out. No official date for the big day has yet been set.
“People’s Kim engagement cover sold well, but did not as well as they hoped,” said a source. “Over a million copies were sold, which is good but not their best. And when you spend that much on a cover story, you expect it to sell.”
A Kim-watcher added, “Some worry they’re now stuck with a big bill for the wedding.” A different source said, “Some editors think the cheating scandal and the over-the-top ring and wedding could be a turn-off.”
Rival In Touch this week ran a cover with the headline “Stop the Wedding! Kim Caught Cheating” and reported that Kim was unfaithful to Humphries with NFL player Bret Lockett. Kim has strongly denied cheating and announced she will sue.
Kim’s shows still bring in high ratings for E! The fifth-season premiere of “Keeping Up With the Kardashians” drew a record 4.7 million viewers in August. Kim remains in demand for magazine covers. A friend of hers said, “The wedding issue will be huge.”
A rep for People said, “We never comment on this sort of speculation.” A source inside the magazine called the $1 million price tag “insane and completely off.” Kim’s rep added: “Nope, not true at all. No deals have been made for the wedding.”