Variety editor reveals how THAT controversial Kim Kardashian and Chloe Sevigny interview REALLY came to be - after magazine was slammed for hailing reality TV star as an actor

Variety's editor-in-chief has revealed how that controversial Kim Kardashian and Chloë Sevigny interview and cover really came to be, admitting that the reality star was supposed to be paired with another actor who 'called in sick' last minute.

Earlier this month, the SKIMS founder, 43, and the American Psycho alum, 49, teamed up to grace the front of Variety's Actors on Actors issue - but the interview and photoshoot was met with fierce criticism online.

Internet users were both outraged and baffled to learn that Kim - who has only had one leading role - had been paired up with Academy Award-nominated actress Chloe as part of the publication's elite series.

Now, Variety editor-in-chief Ramin Setoodeh has addressed the criticism while chatting with Meghan McCain for an upcoming episode of her podcast, Citizen McCain.

The mogul insisted that Chloe was just grateful to be there with Kim because she was not originally supposed to be a part of the shoot.

Variety's editor-in-chief has revealed how that controversial Kim Kardashian and Chloë Sevigny interview and cover really came to be

Ramin Setoodeh said the reality star was supposed to be paired with another actor who 'called in sick' last minute while chatting with Meghan McCain for an upcoming podcast episode

He said the Zodiac star 'graciously stepped in' after an unnamed actor 'called in sick' just two days before the shoot was supposed to take place.  

'I'm gonna give you a little bit of information. I'm going to break some news: Chloe Sevigny wasn't supposed to pair with Kim Kardashian,' Ramin - whose book Apprentice in Wonderland: How Donald Trump and Mark Burnett Took America Through the Looking Glass is published on June 18 - said during the podcast, which will air on Friday at 6am EST. 

'Kim Kardashian had someone else that she was supposed to pair with and that actor called in sick on a Friday night, and Kim was supposed to do this on a Sunday.'

He said they turned to Chloe because she had been in the 'Ryan Murphy universe' like Kim, who starred in the most recent season of his show, American Horror Story; Chloe acted in Ryan's series Feud: Capote vs. the Swans earlier this year.

'Chloe was incredibly gracious, she stepped in at the last minute and came into this conversation with Kim,' he continued. 'But that wasn't her original acting partner.'

As for who was supposed to partake in the shoot with Kim, he refused to reveal any names because he 'didn't want to draw undue attention to the person.'

'But people can guess,' he added. 'And maybe on social media, if someone guesses correctly, I'll do a little heart on their [post].'

After the outlet unveiled the cover, some people wondered if Chloe was throwing some subtle shade towards Kim when she re-posted the announcement to her Instagram Stories and captioned it, 'Always nice to be included. Thank you @Variety.'

Kim and Chloe's interview and cover was met with fierce criticism as people were outraged to learn that Kim had been paired up with Academy Award-nominated actress Chloe

The mogul insisted to Meghan that Chloe was just grateful to be there because she was not originally supposed to be a part of the shoot, adding, 'She was so happy to be included'

Regarding the rumors, Ramin insisted that there was no tension between the two women on set.

'What was so funny about all the press, everyone was talking about how Chloe was trying to shade Kim, [but] she wasn't,' he said. 

'She was saying she was so happy to be included.

'Chloe was really excited to talk to Kim. I was in the greenroom with her right before she went on and they really liked each other.'

After the magazine hit stands, social media was in an uproar, with some people branding the cover as 'an insult to trained, hardworking actors' like Chloe and a 'disrespect for the craft.'

Ramin theorized that the backlash stemmed from people 'not liking' that Kim has joined the world of acting.

He said the Zodiac star 'graciously stepped in' after the unnamed actor 'called in sick' just two days before the shoot was supposed to take place. He's seen with Meghan for the podcast

After the magazine hit stands, social media was in an uproar, with some people branding the cover as 'an insult to trained, hardworking actors' like Chloe and a 'disrespect for the craft' 

Kim has only had one leading role in the most recent season of Ryan Murphy's American Horror Story (seen)

'I think people have strong feelings about Kim Kardashian and they don't like that she's acting even though she was a star of her own show on FX, American Horror Story,' he concluded.

Kim and Chloe joined established thespians like Jodie Foster, Robert Downey Jr., Naomi Watts, Quinta Brunson, Tom Hiddleston, Brie Larson, Jon Hamm, and Andrew Scott for the series.

Before American Horror Story, Kim had been acting for more than a decade - however, most of her previous roles were so quick that you might miss them if you blink. 

Her prior acting credits include PAW Patrol: The Mighty Movie, PAW Patrol: The Movie, Tyler Perry's Temptation: Confessions of a Marriage Counselor, Drop Dead Diva, CSI: NY, Deep in the Valley, Beyond the Break, and Disaster Movie. 

She is currently gearing up to play LA's 'most successful divorce lawyer' leading 'an all-female law firm' in a new Hulu scripted legal drama penned by Brothers & Sisters creator Jon Robin Baitz.

As for Chloe, she's had a successful career spanning across decades.