How Kim made $4.5million from her sex tape: New book details Kardashian's rise to superstardom with the help of porn baron Joe Francis

By Rebecca Davison for MailOnline

Published: 04:17 EST, 28 September 2015 | Updated: 15:01 EST, 28 September 2015

While most celebrities have failed to benefit from their sex tapes being leaked, Kim Kardashian enlisted the help of porn baron Joe Francis to net her $4.5million when hers was released. 

The superstar starred in a sleazy romp with her then boyfriend Ray J in 2003, but turned the leak into a personal triumph rather than a disaster when it was released four years later.

The Sun says a new biography by Sean Smith claims: 'Until she called in close pal Joe to advise her, all she wanted to do was make the tape go away.'

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Business woman: Kim Kardashian is said to have made $4.5million from her sex tape with Ray J - after porn baron Joe Francis helped her to broker a deal with Vivid Entertainment in 2007

Business woman: Kim Kardashian is said to have made $4.5million from her sex tape with Ray J - after porn baron Joe Francis helped her to broker a deal with Vivid Entertainment in 2007

The tape was given to porn company Vivid Entertainment and Joe, who Kim met through friend Paris Hilton, was called upon due to his close contacts within the adult entertainment industry.

She soon realised that suing the company was not going to help make the video disappear, so Joe helped to arrange a meeting with his friend Steve Hirsch, the boss of Vivid and Ray J. 

The paper claims: 'Kim and Ray J received around $300k each for the tape and they would also receive a cut from the videos sold or downloaded. Kim duly dropped her lawsuit against Vivid.'

How it all started: Kim starred in the famous sex tape in 2003 with her former partner Ray J - pictured with her in 2006

How it all started: Kim starred in the famous sex tape in 2003 with her former partner Ray J - pictured with her in 2006

While Vivid was making $1185 a month from online sales, at one point, according to TMZ, Ray J made $90k in one three month period while Kim made $50k in one month alone. 

Most notably, the video catapulted Kim to fame, with her net worth said to be a huge $85million. 

Her Keeping Up With The Kardashians reality show has proved to be very successful, netting the family a cool $100million dollars for the next four years of the programme.

Kim is said to be taking home $15million of that amount, adding a $5million bonus should her rapper husband Kanye West also make an appearance.

Kim's star continues to rise with her mobile game app amasses $43m in just THREE MONTHS, with the stunner taking a cut of the profits.  

MailOnline has contacted a spokesperson for Kim Kardashian for further comment.  

What a catch! Her Keeping Up With The Kardashians reality show has proved to be very successful, netting the family a cool $100million dollars for the next four years of the programme

What a catch! Her Keeping Up With The Kardashians reality show has proved to be very successful, netting the family a cool $100million dollars for the next four years of the programme

  

 

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