Kim Kardashian’s upcoming film has brought an unexpected creative partnership, but one of its writers initially doubted she would get the opportunity. Paula Pell admitted that she and her wife, Janine Brito, struggled to imagine Kardashian choosing them for her comedy project.
The pair developed the idea for The Fifth Wheel over a meal. Their unlikely pitch quickly turned into a Netflix movie, with Kardashian starring and Eva Longoria directing.
Paula Pell recalls doubting Kim Kardashian would hire her for The Fifth Wheel
Speaking on TODAY with Jenna & Sheinelle, Pell explained how the opportunity first reached them through their agent. The agent said Kardashian wanted to make “kind of a fun, crazy movie” with female comedy friends. She also wanted to explore acting and use her influence to bring the project to life.
Brito, Pell’s wife, remained skeptical. Pell recalled her saying, “I don’t think that Kim Kardashian wants two lesbians in the woods to be writing her first foray.” The couple laughed after the call and assumed they were not the right fit. Pell also questioned whether Kardashian would consider her references fresh enough. “Like, she’s so cool,” she said.
Still, the challenge inspired the couple to develop a story. “Don’t give two comedy people a challenge,” Pell said. Before they knew it, they were building a story around Kardashian’s character. While eating soup, they wondered, “What if she was the hot girl in school?” The idea kept growing until they had a concept they loved.
The next steps moved quickly. Pell said they contacted their agent and met Kardashian over Zoom within a week.
“I laughed my a** off. Within a week, we’re Zoom-ing with her, selling it, and it’s on Netflix. We shot it. It was an absolute love fest,” she recalled.
Kardashian co-produces and stars in “The Fifth Wheel,” while Longoria directs. The comedy follows a group of high school friends whose reunion trip to Las Vegas takes an unexpected turn when an outsider, played by Kardashian, joins them.
The cast includes Nikki Glaser, Brenda Song, Fortune Feimster, Jack Whitehall and Will Ferrell. For Pell and Brito, what began as a doubtful conversation became a Netflix collaboration.
