The Kardashian clan has become a pop culture phenomenon, particularly since Kim Kardashian’s rise to fame following the infamous release of her sex tape. Since the late 2000s, the family has dominated reality TV with their show, “Keeping Up with the Kardashians,” driven by the savvy management of matriarch Kris Jenner.
Fans closely follow the family’s often tumultuous romantic lives, featuring numerous ups and downs. From Kourtney’s erratic relationships with Scott Disick to Kim’s brief marriage to Kris Humphries, the Kardashians have a long list of past partners. Some exes have faced very public struggles, while others, like Kanye West, have ventured into politics.
Interestingly, several notable former flames have slipped into obscurity, overshadowed by the family’s fame. Here, we revisit some Kardashian exes who have faded from public attention.
Update on Kim Kardashian’s sex tape partner
Kim Kardashian’s rise from a stylist to a global icon is often linked to her sex tape with Ray J, recorded in the early 2000s. After dating from 2003 to 2006, their relationship gained renewed attention when the private video became public in 2007.
Though Kim has denied any involvement in the tape’s release, rumors persist that she and Kris Jenner may have facilitated its launch. In 2022, Ray J reignited the discussion by asserting online that both Kim and Kris were behind the tape’s release with Vivid Entertainment.
“Your mom orchestrated the whole thing with Vivid. All I did was agree,” Ray J shared, along with a supposed contract between himself, Kim, and Vivid Entertainment, which Kardashian has yet to comment on.
Ray J has since moved on, marrying Princess Love in 2016, with whom he shares two kids. Despite several public breakups, they continue to navigate their relationship challenges.
Kourtney Kardashian’s brief romance with an adult film mogul
Frazer Harrison/Getty Images
Before her long-term relationship with Scott Disick, Kourtney Kardashian had a brief fling with Joe Francis, the founder of Girls Gone Wild, starting in 2004. Joe claimed in a podcast that he was involved with Kourtney while also dating Rod Stewart’s daughter, Kim Stewart, during a trip to Mexico.
According to Joe, he even introduced Kourtney to Scott Disick, and while Kourtney’s relationship with Joe was fleeting, it did pave the way for her future with Scott, whom she started dating in 2005. Joe later settled down with model Abbey Wilson and had twins but faced a contentious custody dispute after their split.
Reflecting back, Joe remarked he might have been better off with Kourtney than in his current situation.
Rob Kardashian’s connection with a Cheetah Girl
Michael Buckner/Getty Images
Rob Kardashian once dated a member of the Cheetah Girls, highlighting another interesting chapter in the Kardashian dating saga.
“`html
Rob Kardashian’s initial foray into romance with public attention was with Adrienne Bailon, a member of the Cheetah Girls, whom he met around 2007. Bailon appeared frequently on the early seasons of “Keeping Up with the Kardashians.” Their relationship lasted until 2009 when it ended due to Kardashian’s infidelity.
Years later, now married, Bailon shared her experience of being linked with the Kardashian name from their brief relationship. She expressed a certain acceptance of it, saying, “It’s reality TV, and while I found it frustrating in the past, I’ve moved on.” She highlighted that her other accomplishments, such as her singing career and hosting role on shows like “The Real” and “Masked Singer,” often fell into the shadow of her association with Rob. “I wished people recognized my other successes,” she lamented. “That was a tough chapter in my career.”
Despite any past grievances, she maintains a friendly relationship with the Kardashian family. Bailon mentioned that she still connects with Kim and occasionally watches “KUWTK.” “If my assistant wants to watch it, I’m all for it,” she replied.
Kim Kardashian’s Romance with Nick Cannon
John Shearer/Getty Images
Following her split from Ray J, Kim Kardashian began a relationship with Nick Cannon in late 2006. Although their romance was short-lived, as they separated after about a year, Cannon has spoken fondly of their time together. In a “Drink Champs” interview, he noted that while she might have “broken his heart,” he only has positive memories of their relationship, observing, “We were young, and I thought she was wonderful.”
Cannon also mentioned that he played a role in introducing Kardashian to Kanye West during one of his birthday parties. However, Kardashian clarified that her meeting with West happened due to her previous connection with Brandy.
After their relationship, Cannon married Mariah Carey in 2008, and they became parents to twins. Their marriage ended in 2016, and Cannon subsequently embraced multiple relationships, adding to his family with a total of twelve children across six women.
Kim Kardashian’s Love Story with Reggie Bush
Alexander Tamargo/Getty Images
Once her relationship with Nick Cannon ended, Kim Kardashian quickly found herself dating former NFL star Reggie Bush. After a year together, Kim expressed her feelings, claiming, “I think I’ve finally made a wise choice. He’s a genuinely sweet, down-to-earth person.” Their relationship was a prominent feature on “Keeping Up with the Kardashians,” but they struggled to maintain their relationship due to their busy schedules.
After a brief split in 2009, they reconciled and even considered buying a house together. However, their careers again led to another breakup in 2010. Bush eventually married professional dancer Lilit Bush in 2014, and they have three children together.
Lamar Odom Reflects on His Marriage to Khloé Kardashian
Jason Laveris/Getty Images
Khloé Kardashian and Lamar Odom’s whirlwind romance began when they married just weeks after their first meeting in 2009. Their journey was documented in their spin-off series “Khloé & Lamar,” which aired from 2011 for two seasons.
However, their marriage suffered when rumors about Odom’s substance abuse and infidelities emerged in 2013. This tumultuous period was a significant turning point for both of them.
“““html
In 2013, an American entrepreneur defended her husband amid cheating allegations, but she later filed for divorce in December. This decision followed his DUI arrest and subsequent treatment.
During their divorce, Odom often reached out to Kardashian. In 2015, she was present when he was discovered unconscious in a brothel, under the influence of substances. After he recovered, Kardashian finalized their divorce in 2016.
Odom expressed remorse for his actions during his marriage to Kardashian in his memoir, “Darkness to Light,” published in 2019. He recounted a particularly distressing moment when Kardashian intervened during his substance abuse episode – a moment he now sees as deeply regrettable, saying, “I’ll f***ing kill you! You don’t know what I’m capable of!”
Khloé dated French Montana briefly
Denise Truscello/Getty Images
After her split from Odom, Khloé Kardashian briefly turned to rapper French Montana for comfort. Their relationship began making headlines in Spring 2014 but started to falter by September of the same year due to its intensity, with sources indicating that Khloé felt overwhelmed.
Though they briefly rekindled their romance, it ultimately ended. A source noted that “the rekindling has smoked out and they’ve moved on” by December. Montana has since dated various women in the music industry, yet claims his relationship with Kardashian was meaningful, stating there was “no bad blood” between them.
Rita Ora claims she forgot her romance with Rob Kardashian
Frazer Harrison & Gabe Ginsberg/Getty
Rob Kardashian’s ex, Rita Ora, stirred up some buzz when she claimed to have “forgotten” about their brief romance, which lasted only two months in 2012. Reflecting on it in a 2020 interview, she described it as a young and fun experience but admitted it felt insignificant.
Following their breakup, Kardashian publicly accused Ora of infidelity. He questioned how she could manage a relationship while pursuing her career. In response, Ora clarified that she never truly considered it a serious relationship, stating she felt too busy to fully engage in it.
Harry Styles credits Kendall Jenner as album inspiration
Kevin Mazur/mg19/Getty Images
Harry Styles and Kendall Jenner have maintained a close friendship that has occasionally ventured into romantic territory over the years. Their connection began in 2013 when they were spotted dining together and later on a ski trip.
While they have neither confirmed nor denied dating, their friendship continues to be significant in both their lives.
“““html
In late 2015, a cozy sighting of a certain celebrity duo in the Caribbean led to considerable speculation regarding their relationship during the New Year’s festivities.
By 2017, Harry Styles, the former One Direction member, openly acknowledged that his debut solo album was significantly influenced by Kendall Jenner. He shared in a Rolling Stone interview that she was “a major part” of the album’s creation, expressing a desire to pay tribute to her in a meaningful way.
Though both Styles and Jenner have moved on to other relationships, they maintain a positive friendship. Fans speculated that during a 2022 concert performance of “Love of My Life,” he affectionately blew a kiss toward Jenner—leading some to believe the song was inspired by her.
Blac Chyna’s Legal Battle with the Kardashians
Gabe Ginsberg/Getty Images
Blac Chyna’s connection with the Kardashian clan is certainly complex. Soon after beginning a relationship with Rob Kardashian in early 2016, Chyna’s past with rapper Tyga—who was then linked to Kylie Jenner—raised eyebrows among fans.
Despite the initial skepticism, Chyna and Rob gained the family’s approval, got engaged, and soon announced they were expecting their first child. They welcomed their daughter, Dream, in late 2016, but after an on-again, off-again year, they separated in 2017. Their breakup led to Chyna filing a defamation lawsuit against the Kardashians in 2022, claiming they were responsible for canceling her reality show and damaging her reputation. Ultimately, she lost the case and received no financial compensation.
Kourtney Kardashian’s ‘Toxic’ Relationship with Younes Bendjima
Vivien Killilea/Getty Images
Kourtney Kardashian met Younes Bendjima unexpectedly at a bar in Paris in 2016, just before a traumatic incident involving her sister Kim. During this challenging time, Younes became a helpful support, and their relationship advanced to serious dating.
Over the course of two years, they appeared to be a strong couple, even integrating Younes into Kourtney’s family life. However, in 2018, their relationship faced significant strain, culminating in their breakup after Younes was photographed with another woman in Mexico. Additionally, his derogatory comment on Kourtney’s Instagram photo revealed underlying issues. Khloé Kardashian openly criticized Bendjima, labeling him as “toxic” for her sister.
The Unexpected Romance Between Pete Davidson and Kim Kardashian
Cindy Ord/mg22/Getty Images
Kim Kardashian’s relationship with comedian Pete Davidson began playfully during a “Saturday Night Live” sketch in fall 2021, drawing immediate public curiosity. Despite a 13-year age difference, their connection quickly grew more serious, and by February, Davidson confirmed their relationship.
The couple faced challenges, particularly due to the scrutiny from Kardashian’s ex-husband, Kanye West. Ultimately, their relationship lasted around nine months, with sources indicating their demanding schedules played a role in their split. Following that, Davidson briefly dated Madelyn Cline before they parted ways in 2024.
Sophia Michaels
