When Kim Kardashian and Pete Davidson first got together in late 2021, their unexpected romance instantly became one of Hollywood’s most talked-about relationships.
From flirty appearances on Saturday Night Live to red carpet PDA and constant media buzz, Kim and Pete’s nine-month relationship kept fans watching closely. But by August 2022, the whirlwind love affair came to a quiet end.
So what really happened between Kim Kardashian and Pete Davidson? Why did they call it quits after what seemed like a fun and heartfelt connection? The reality star is finally opening up, and now we have a clearer picture of the breakup—straight from Kim herself.
A Post-Divorce Love Story
Pete and Kim’s love story began not long after her split from Kanye West, her ex-husband and the father of her four children—North, Saint, Chicago, and Psalm. When Kim hosted Saturday Night Live in October 2021, she and Pete shared a scripted kiss in a sketch. According to Kim, that innocent moment sparked something real.
“It was a stage kiss, but it was still a little zing,” she revealed during an appearance on the Not Skinny But Not Fat podcast. That zing was enough to spark a private connection between the two, and soon after, they were seen holding hands on a rollercoaster and grabbing dinner together in Staten Island.
By November 2021, their relationship was confirmed. Insiders told E! News that the two were “really happy and seeing where it goes,” and Pete even made it clear he wasn’t interested in dating anyone else. Kim, while a bit more cautious, was definitely smitten.
The Public Pressure and Private Conversations
Fast forward to May 2023, and Kim finally addressed the split publicly on the season three premiere of The Kardashians. In a confessional, the SKIMS founder opened up, saying, “OK, I’m single. I’m single and I’m not ready to mingle, and that’s OK.”
While she never explicitly said Pete’s name during the episode, it was clear she was talking about him. This breakup, after all, was her first significant split following her high-profile divorce from Kanye West. And although she acknowledged it was sad, Kim emphasized that the decision was mutual and rooted in honest communication.
“We just had talks and talks, we had been talking about it,” she shared. “So it was both of us just communicating really well about it. It’s obviously sad.”
For Kim, breakups have never been easy. “Breakups are just not my thing… I’m proud of myself,” she added, alluding to the emotional growth it took to navigate the end of the relationship in a healthy, mature way.
Long Distance and Busy Lives
Though Kim and Pete clearly cared deeply for each other, their lifestyles pulled them in different directions. At the time of their breakup, Pete was filming the movie Wizards! in Australia, while Kim was holding down her empire and raising four children in Calabasas. That long distance proved to be a serious hurdle.
A source close to the couple told E! News that while there was “a lot of love and respect,” the separation and constant travel “made it really difficult to maintain a relationship.” Their connection couldn’t quite withstand the stress of time zones, filming schedules, and two very different worlds.
The Kanye West Factor
Another complication? The ever-present drama surrounding Kim’s ex-husband Kanye West. Pete found himself caught in the crossfire of Kanye’s public outbursts and online harassment, which escalated throughout the couple’s relationship.
In a surprisingly vulnerable moment on The Kardashians, Kim admitted that she felt guilt over what Pete endured. “There was a lot of guilt,” she said. “He went through a lot because of my relationship.”
Kanye’s online attacks—ranging from Instagram rants to disturbing music videos depicting violence against Pete—put added strain on the couple. While Kim didn’t directly say that Kanye’s behavior led to the breakup, she made it clear that the drama played a role in how everything unfolded.
Kim’s Priorities: Kids, Career, and Inner Peace
In addition to dealing with public scrutiny and long-distance issues, Kim also realized she needed to focus on herself. After years of being in back-to-back relationships—from her marriage with Kanye to her high-profile rebound with Pete—Kim started to feel the need to pause and realign with her priorities.
During a September appearance on The Late Late Show, she shared, “I’m not looking, I just want to chill for a minute. I think I need some time to myself and to focus, finish school, all that.”
This sentiment was echoed again during The Kardashians. Reflecting on her future, Kim admitted to having moments of doubt about whether she’ll ever find someone who can fully embrace her life.
“I go back and forth in my feelings sometimes like, ‘Uh, who’s ever gonna wanna date me? I have four kids, I’m in my 40s, you know? Like, oh my god, who’s gonna wanna deal with the drams?’” she confessed. “But my person will be like, ‘F–k all of that, it’s gonna be hard but we’re together and we’re gonna do this.’ So I’m just waiting for that person.”
A Real Love, But Not the Right Time
Despite all the external challenges, Kim’s comments make it clear that her relationship with Pete was meaningful and sincere. She’s never had anything but kind things to say about the King of Staten Island star, and even called him “literally the best human being I have ever met” during season one of The Kardashians.
“Pete has the best heart,” she gushed. “He always wants the best for people, he can handle anything and he always does it with grace.”
Their relationship may have been short-lived, but it wasn’t shallow. It was a real connection that came at a complicated time in Kim’s life. And when faced with mounting pressure from fame, family, travel, and past baggage, the couple ultimately chose to part ways amicably.
So, why did Kim Kardashian leave Pete Davidson? It wasn’t about drama, scandal, or betrayal. Instead, it was a mature, mutual decision shaped by timing, distance, personal growth, and the emotional residue of a very public life.
Kim still holds Pete in high regard, and while their chapter together has ended, it served its purpose—a healing connection after heartbreak, a reminder of what love can be, and a stepping stone toward whatever comes next.
For now, Kim is focused on her family, her businesses, and rediscovering herself. And as for love? She’s not giving up—she’s just waiting for the right person who’s ready to take it all on, drama and all.
