Kim Kardashian, a household name in reality television and business, has consistently been in the public eye since the early 2000s. Her personal life, particularly her romantic relationships, has been a subject of intense media scrutiny and public interest. As she navigates being back on the dating scene, it’s worth taking a comprehensive look back at Kim Kardashian’s partners and dating history, which has been anything but ordinary. From whirlwind romances to highly publicized marriages and amicable splits, Kardashian’s journey in love is as captivating as her career. She openly admits to being a “hopeless romantic” and values sharing her life with someone, even after experiencing the ups and downs of love in the spotlight. This article delves into the detailed history of Kim Kardashian’s partners, providing insights into her relationships and offering a timeline of her romantic engagements.
Damon Thomas
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Kim Kardashian’s first serious partnership was with music producer Damon Thomas. At just 19, Kim eloped with Thomas, who was ten years her senior. Their marriage lasted for three years, ending in divorce in 2003. Years later, Kardashian revealed that their impulsive marriage occurred during a period of youthful indiscretion, specifically mentioning it was around the first time she used ecstasy. This revelation came with regret, as she described that time as a “wild phase.” However, Damon Thomas refuted these claims, dismissing them as “young love” and denying any drug use within their relationship. Despite differing accounts on the circumstances, this early marriage marked the beginning of Kim Kardashian’s journey through partnerships in the public eye.
Ray J
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Following her divorce from Damon Thomas, Kim Kardashian began a relationship with musician Ray J in 2003. She met Ray J while working as a stylist for his sister, singer Brandy. Their three-year relationship became highly publicized, primarily due to a sex tape they made that was leaked in 2007. This tape inadvertently thrust Kardashian into the global spotlight, significantly raising her profile. Kim herself has acknowledged that the tape was made during a period when she had used ecstasy, noting its obvious influence when she looks back at it.
The relationship with Ray J ended in 2006, but their connection continued to generate headlines for years. In 2018, Ray J made public comments about their intimate life, which Kim firmly dismissed as lies on social media, labeling him a “pathological liar.” Further drama unfolded in 2022 when rumors of additional unreleased footage from their sex tape surfaced. To prevent any further release, Kardashian’s then-ex-husband, Kanye West, intervened and acquired the hard drive believed to contain the footage. However, upon inspection, it was found to contain no new sexual content, just mundane videos. Ray J later contested this entire narrative when it was featured on The Kardashians, claiming it was fabricated. Despite the tumultuous end and subsequent controversies, this partnership was a pivotal moment in Kim Kardashian’s life, marking her entry into widespread fame.
Nick Lachey
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In 2006, after Nick Lachey’s high-profile split from Jessica Simpson, he briefly dated Kim Kardashian. Their rendezvous consisted of a single date to see a matinee of The Da Vinci Code. This outing was heavily photographed by paparazzi, leading Lachey to suspect that Kardashian might have alerted the photographers herself. Reflecting on the experience in 2019, Lachey suggested that the intense media presence seemed orchestrated. Despite the speculation, he maintained that Kardashian was pleasant company, though they did not remain in contact afterward. This brief encounter remains a minor chapter in Kim Kardashian’s dating history, highlighting the intense media interest that already surrounded her at that time.
Nick Cannon
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Kim Kardashian’s connection with Nick Cannon began when they met on the set of Moesha, where she worked as a stylist. At the time, Kardashian was still in a relationship with Ray J. However, after her split from Ray J, Cannon pursued Kardashian, and they started dating in late 2006. Their relationship lasted until 2007. Years later, in a radio interview, Nick Cannon spoke fondly of Kardashian and her family, describing them as “incredible people.” This short-lived partnership occurred before Kardashian became a global superstar, yet it demonstrates her early presence in the celebrity dating circles.
Reggie Bush
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Kim Kardashian’s relationship with NFL player Reggie Bush began in 2007 and became a significant part of her storyline on Keeping Up with the Kardashians. Viewers watched as they navigated a long-distance relationship due to Bush’s football commitments. Within a year, Kardashian expressed optimism about their future, suggesting Bush could be “the one.” She described him as a “sweet, normal guy,” highlighting a desire for stability and normalcy in her romantic life.
However, by 2009, the challenges of distance led to their first split. The separation was brief, as they reconciled a few months later, both seemingly committed to making the relationship work. They even reportedly started looking for a home together, signaling a serious intent. Despite their efforts, the pressures of their demanding careers and constant time apart resurfaced, leading to a second split in 2010, which became permanent. Reggie Bush cited the difficulty of dedicating time to the relationship amidst their busy schedules. This on-again, off-again relationship was one of Kardashian’s most publicized partnerships before her marriages, resonating with fans who followed their journey through her reality show.
Miles Austin
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During the summer of 2010, Kim Kardashian began dating Dallas Cowboys football player Miles Austin. They were seen on double dates with Kardashian’s sisters, and she was often seen supporting Austin at his football games. Sources indicated they connected over their mutual understanding of demanding work schedules and shared dedication to their careers. There was an emphasis on keeping the relationship “quiet and low-key,” suggesting a desire for privacy amidst their public lives. Despite reports of their relationship being “stronger than ever” by September 2010, they split shortly thereafter. This brief romance, though less intensely publicized than some of her others, still occurred during a period when Kardashian’s personal life was consistently under media observation.
Shengo Deane
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In 2010, Kim Kardashian had a brief romantic interlude with her bodyguard, Shengo Deane. They initially met in Deane’s native Australia and reconnected when Kardashian was in New York City. Their dates were featured on Kourtney and Kim Take New York, showing them on a couple of outings, and it was implied they spent the night together. However, the romance quickly “fizzled out,” remaining a short chapter in Kardashian’s dating history. This fleeting relationship occurred during a time when Kardashian was frequently traveling and filming, showcasing the transient nature of some of her partnerships.
Gabriel Aubry
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Towards the end of 2010, Kim Kardashian was linked to model Gabriel Aubry, shortly after his split from Halle Berry. They were first seen together at a Lakers game in November and later spotted on a movie date. Aubry reportedly met the Kardashian family over Thanksgiving, suggesting a quick integration into her inner circle. While described as “taking it slow,” the relationship was short-lived, ending by December. Sources indicated they remained amicable, realizing they were better suited as friends. This brief connection with Aubry added to Kardashian’s pattern of dating within celebrity circles, though it did not evolve into a long-term partnership.
Kris Humphries
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Kim Kardashian’s relationship with NBA player Kris Humphries began in December 2010 and rapidly escalated. Despite early differences, including debates about where to raise a family, they got engaged after just six months of dating. The proposal was filmed for Keeping Up with the Kardashians, with Humphries proposing in a room filled with roses. Their wedding in August 2011 was a lavish, star-studded affair, extensively covered by the media and featured on her reality show.
However, even as wedding photos were released, Keeping Up with the Kardashians hinted at underlying tensions and disagreements leading up to the big day. Kardashian later admitted to realizing during their honeymoon that the marriage was not “going to work out.” Just 72 days after the wedding, she filed for divorce, citing “irreconcilable differences.” This decision sparked significant media frenzy and public discussion.
Humphries responded by seeking an annulment based on fraud, but eventually dropped this request, and they reached a settlement in April 2013. The divorce was finalized in June 2013, marking one of the most talked-about and shortest marriages in celebrity history. Kardashian has since reflected on the experience, admitting to handling the breakup poorly and feeling pressured to go through with the wedding due to the filming commitments. She revealed that her mother, Kris Jenner, had even offered to support her decision to call off the wedding the night before. Kardashian also disclosed using her and Humphries’ production fees for a more extravagant wedding, further complicating her feelings about the event’s authenticity.
Kanye West
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Kim Kardashian’s relationship with Kanye West is arguably her most significant and publicly scrutinized partnership. They first crossed paths in the early 2000s, but their connection deepened over time. West reportedly showed interest in Kardashian even when she was in other relationships, famously advising her against marrying Kris Humphries. After Kardashian’s split from Humphries in 2011, she and West began dating. Kardashian described falling “madly in love” with him quickly.
By the end of 2012, they announced they were expecting their first child, North, who was born in June 2013. West proposed in an elaborate gesture at San Francisco’s AT&T Park in October 2013, and they married in May 2014 in Florence, Italy. Over their marriage, they had three more children: Saint, Chicago, and Psalm. Their life together was marked by both high-profile successes and personal challenges, including West’s public struggles with bipolar disorder, diagnosed in 2017.
The marriage faced increasing strain, particularly after West’s controversial presidential campaign announcement in 2020 and public disclosures about their personal life. Despite Kardashian’s initial efforts to support and save their marriage, the relationship deteriorated. In February 2021, Kardashian filed for divorce. She later expressed that she had tried her best to make the marriage work and felt “guilt-free” about its end.
Post-split, their relationship remained turbulent, especially when Kardashian began dating Pete Davidson. West publicly criticized and threatened Davidson, causing further media attention. Despite the drama, Kardashian emphasized that West would “always be family” and co-parenting remained a priority for their children. Their divorce was finalized in November 2022, with a joint custody agreement and West paying Kardashian $200,000 monthly in child support. This partnership was a defining chapter in Kim Kardashian’s life, marked by intense love, family expansion, and significant public and personal challenges.
Pete Davidson
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Kim Kardashian’s relationship with comedian Pete Davidson began in late 2021 after she hosted Saturday Night Live. They had initially met in 2019 through Kanye West. During her SNL hosting gig, a skit involving a kiss sparked a connection, leading Kardashian to reach out to Davidson afterwards. She admitted to being intrigued by his “BDE” (Big Dick Energy) and initiated contact.
Weeks later, they were seen holding hands at an amusement park, quickly progressing from casual dating to a committed relationship. Over several months, they were frequently seen together, including visits to Davidson’s hometown, romantic getaways, and public appearances. Davidson publicly referred to Kardashian as his girlfriend in early 2022, and they became Instagram official in March. They made their red carpet debut at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner in April 2022, followed by a high-profile appearance at the Met Gala.
Their relationship was characterized by public displays of affection and frequent social media updates, although they also had to navigate Kanye West’s public reactions and social media outbursts. In July 2022, Kardashian visited Davidson in Australia, where he was filming a movie. Despite reports of long-distance challenges, they appeared to be committed. However, shortly after her return, news broke that they had split in August 2022. The breakup was described as amicable, primarily attributed to their demanding schedules and the difficulties of maintaining a long-distance relationship. Kardashian later reflected on the intense media attention surrounding their relationship, noting she felt it was portrayed as more serious, more quickly, than it actually was.
Odell Beckham Jr.
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Most recently, Kim Kardashian was linked to NFL wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. starting in September 2023. This followed Beckham Jr.’s split from Lauren Wood. Kardashian reportedly attended Beckham Jr.’s 31st birthday in November 2023. However, their relationship was described as “pretty casual” and ultimately “fizzled out” by April 2024. This brief connection with Beckham Jr. marked Kardashian’s return to dating after her highly publicized relationships and indicated her continued presence in the celebrity dating landscape.
Kim Kardashian’s journey through relationships has been a central narrative in her public life. From early marriages to headline-making romances, her partnerships reflect the complexities of love under the constant glare of media attention. As she steps back into the dating world, all eyes will be on who Kim Kardashian Partners with next.
