Why did Kim Kardashian and Pete Davidson break up? Here's what went wrong between the two stars

Is the Kim Kardashian and Pete Davidson saga really over? Here's why Kim and Pete broke up—according to the sources

Kim Kardashian and Pete Davidson attend The 2022 Met Gala in a pink, green and blue background
(Image credit: Getty Images / Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for The Met Museum/Vogue)

The party is over for Kim Kardashian and Pete Davidson. Despite their whirlwind romance—which led to tattoos and brandings (literal brandings) symbolizing their relationship—the pair have gone their separate ways. But why did Kim and Pete break up exactly? Here's what the sources say...

The couple no one saw coming shocked the world with a seemingly effortless love story, but after ten months, the flame has fizzled. So it looks like we'll be seeing breakups and weddings on The Kardashians on Hulu when season 2 drops... 

So what happened, exactly? We'll fill you in.

Why did Kim Kardashian and Pete Davidson break up?

On August 5, 2022, the two announced their amicable split and blamed hectic work schedules and long distance for their love's demise. Though most sources appear to confirm this sentiment, others say the relationship moved too quickly for Kim, though perhaps we'll never really know. 

Following the breakup, our SNL funnyman was seen rocking a "What... I feel like s--t" t-shirt while filming a new movie in Australia, which appears to confirm that the two are donezo. 

After the news broke, a source told Page Six that a number of factors supposedly contributed to their split - including their age gap and busy schedules.

They said: "Pete is 28 and Kim is 41—they are just in very different places at the moment. Pete is totally spontaneous and impulsive and wants her to fly to New York, or wherever he is on a moment’s notice. But Kim has four kids and it isn’t that easy. She needs to focus on the kids

So, how did Kanye West take the news of his ex-wife's breakup? Maturely, of course—he only went and posted an Instagram taunting the comedian's death following the announcement. If you look closely at the fine print, the rapper even managed to throw shade at Kid Cudi as well—a two-for-one kind of post.

Kim Kardashian and Pete Davidson: how it began

Kim Kardashian on SNL was a contentious topic. Despite doubt from critics and naysayers, the reality TV star managed to hold her own during her October 2021 hosting gig. Plus, she seemingly found a bit of romance in the process.

You might recall the skit where Kim and Pete impersonated Jasmine and Aladdin—and shared a quick kiss! This was the start of it all.

Kim Kardashian and Pete Davidson at Knott's Scary Farm

Following Kim's Saturday Night Live appearance, People spotted the two holding hands on a roller coaster at Knott’s Scary Farm in California.

PDA experts Kourtney Kardashian and Travis Barker, as well as Machine Gun Kelly and Megan Fox, were in attendance. Could this have possibly been a set-up? 

An insider also confirmed to People: “They hang in the same circles so they will be together from time to time. It's just friends hanging out.”

Of course, the rollercoaster pictures have caught the imagination of Twitter. One user tweeted: “If Kim Kardashian and Pete Davidson start dating I will be OBSESSED.” 

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Another wrote: “Kim Kardashian & Pete Davidson are my absolute 100% favorite couple of my ENTIRE LIFE o m g.” 

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A third said: “idk if I’m more jealous of Pete Davidson or Kim Kardashian.”

And a heartbroken Pete stan also added: “I’m not going back on the internet until Pete Davidson and Kim Kardashian are over because I’m just really jealous of Kim now.” 

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Kim Kardashian and Pete Davidson in NYC

To fuel the dating speculation, Kim made her way to New York City (well, Staten Island) in early November 2021 for dinner with Pete in his hometown. TMZ got the scoop and reported that they were dining privately—no Kourt, Trav or MGK in sight—at an Italian restaurant called Campania.

They allegedly dined on the rooftop, appearing to suggest they are more than friends. Plus, considering they were just together for a spooky Halloween weekend, why do you think they're getting together—across the country, no less—for another outing so quickly? 

Kim Kardashian and Pete Davidson's Valentine's Day

The KUWTK star appeared to confirm her relationship in early 2022 by venturing out on a romantic early V-Day dinner to Lilia's in Brooklyn, New York. The pair was spotted holding hands and kissing!

Kim Kardashian talks about Pete Davidson to 'Variety'

Apart from the occasional public sighting, the famous pair has been somewhat tight-lipped about their blossoming romance. No doubt, Kim's very public and dramatic divorce from Kanye West is a key factor in their desire to keep their relationship quiet.

However, in an interview with Variety about the famous family's new Hulu show, Kim finally opened up about Pete and whether there's a possibility of him making a cameo. 

She explained that while she hasn't filmed with him yet, she's not opposed to the idea. Kim said: "It’s just not what he does. But if there was an event happening and he was there, he wouldn’t tell the cameras to get away." 

The SKIMS founder also revealed that she does talk about him in the show, and even explains how and when their relationship all began.

Kim Kardashian and Pete Davidson at the Met Gala

As you might recall, the duo made a red carpet appearance at the 2022 Met Gala, solidifying their newfound love. 

However, in true Kim K fashion, all attention from Pete was quickly adverted when people realized the reality star was wearing Marilyn Monroe's "Happy Birthday, Mr. President" Jean Louis rhinestone dress. (Yes, Marilyn Monroe's actual dress...which she allegedlly damaged.) 

kim kardashian and pete davidson at the 2022 met gala

(Image credit: ANGELA WEISS/AFP via Getty Images)

Kim Kardashian and Pete Davidson's summer vacation

In June 2022, the two made their way to a tropical location for some rest, relaxation and PDA. 

Will Pete Davidson still cameo'The Kardashians' season 2

Yes, it appears he will as he did make a brief appearance in The Kardashians season 2 trailer. Most of the series was recorded months prior, so anyway really mourning the split of Kim and Pete will catch a glimpse of their relationship in its prime. 

We may also get more of an explanation on what went wrong—as viewers will know, episode one of the new season saw Khloe give a retrospective account of what went down in season one and explain why, for the rest of season two, Khloe will not talk about her son or surrogacy. So the same could happen with Kim, but we'll all just have to watch and see!

Kim Kardashian and Pete Davidson's previous relationships

Pete has been linked to several glamorous women in the past, including model Kaia Gerber and Kate Beckinsale, and had been engaged to Ariana Grande. Most recently, he was in a relationship with Bridgerton’s Phoebe Dyvenor.

On her end, Kim Kardashian and Kanye West have of course gone their separate ways after eight of marriage. (The Kim Kardashian name change, of course, broke the internet.) 

Kardashian was previously married to Kris Humphries, and long before that, Damon Thomas. She was also in a serious relationship with former American football player Reggie Bush, and has also been linked to football coach Miles Austin and singer Ray J.

Naomi Jamieson
Lifestyle News Writer

Naomi is a Lifestyle News Writer with the Women's Lifestyle team, where she covers everything from entertainment to fashion and beauty, as well as TikTok trends for Woman&Home, after previously writing for My Imperfect Life and GoodTo. Interestingly though, Naomi actually has a background in design, having studied illustration at Plymouth University but lept into the media world in 2020, after always having a passion for writing and earned her Gold Standard diploma in Journalism with the NCTJ.


Before working for Future Publishing’s Lifestyle News team, she worked in the Ad production team. Here she wrote and designed adverts on all sorts of things, which then went into print magazines across all genres. Now, when she isn’t writing articles on celebs, fashion trends, or the newest shows on Netflix, you can find her drinking copious cups of coffee, drawing and probably online shopping.