Kim Kardashian is opening up about where she stands with ex-husband Kanye West, and her message is clear: family comes first.
Despite a highly publicized split and years of turbulence, the reality TV mogul says she’s maintaining a connection with the controversial rapper for the sake of their four children.
In a candid interview with Complex this week, Kim revealed insights into their co-parenting dynamic that might surprise fans who’ve watched their relationship unravel in the public eye.
And she’s not afraid to show continued support for his creative work, even wearing Yeezy designs—a move that sparked conversation across social media.
Family Remains the Priority
The 45-year-old SKIMS founder didn’t mince words when asked about her current relationship with Kanye during the Thursday interview.
We’ll always be family. We both know that. We will be OK, and there’s so much love for our family. We want what’s best for our kids.
Kim and Kanye, who goes by Ye, ended their eight-year marriage in 2021, with their divorce finalized in November 2022. They share four children together: North, Saint, Chicago, and Psalm.
Despite the challenges that come with navigating a high-profile separation—especially one involving someone as unpredictable as Kanye—Kim appears committed to maintaining civility and communication.
Still Supporting His Fashion Vision
Kim’s willingness to stay connected extends beyond co-parenting conversations. She’s also continuing to wear and promote Kanye’s fashion designs.
In December, she posted a TikTok video showing fans how she styled a Yeezy shoe with an outfit for a day out in Aspen. The clip generated plenty of buzz, prompting questions about whether she was sending a message of reconciliation.
During her Complex interview, Kim addressed the video directly.
I couldn’t deny the Yeezy heel, so I had to shout it out.
In the original TikTok, she offered genuine praise for Kanye’s design work, particularly his signature heels.
I will say, there’s nothing like a Yeezy heel. I don’t know if they ever made these or just made them for me. I love when a shoe is tonal to the pant.
The moment showed Kim separating personal struggles from professional respect—a nuanced approach many divorced couples find difficult to achieve.
The Toll of Public Turmoil
Maintaining composure hasn’t come without cost. Last year, Kim revealed during an episode of The Kardashians that she was feeling “tested” by the 48-year-old rapper.
During that period, she disclosed several health concerns, including being diagnosed with a brain aneurysm and experiencing a psoriasis flare-up.
I mean, I have psoriasis again. I felt more stressed, probably just because I had to super, super protect what I had to protect.
Kim’s reference to protecting “what I had to protect” seemed to allude to shielding her children and her own mental health from external chaos.
Managing stress while co-parenting with someone whose behavior has been erratic and controversial is no small feat, particularly when every development plays out under intense media scrutiny.
Kanye’s Recent Apology
In January, Kanye issued a public apology for antisemitic and racist outbursts that have dominated headlines in recent years. The statement appeared as a full-page advertisement in The Wall Street Journal.
In his apology, the Stronger hitmaker attributed some of his behavior to a car accident 25 years ago, which he claimed caused injury to the right frontal lobe of his brain. He also referenced his 2016 bipolar disorder diagnosis.
While Kanye’s acknowledgment of past mistakes represents a step forward, rebuilding trust and credibility takes time—especially when damage has been done on such a public scale.
Navigating Co-Parenting With Grace
Kim’s approach to her relationship with Kanye offers lessons for anyone navigating co-parenting after divorce:
- Keep the focus on the children: Kim consistently emphasizes what’s best for their four kids, setting aside personal grievances.
- Separate personal from professional: Appreciating someone’s talents doesn’t mean excusing harmful behavior.
- Protect your mental health: Kim’s openness about stress-related health issues highlights the importance of self-care during difficult times.
- Allow space for growth: Maintaining family connections can create room for healing and change over time.
Co-parenting with an ex-partner is challenging under normal circumstances. Add celebrity status, mental health struggles, and public controversies into the mix, and the difficulty level skyrockets.
Yet Kim appears determined to prioritize stability for her children while maintaining boundaries that protect her wellbeing.
Moving Forward
Kim’s latest comments suggest she’s found a workable balance between acknowledging past connections and moving forward with her life. She’s building an empire with SKIMS, raising four children, and managing public perception—all while staying in contact with an ex whose actions have often made headlines for troubling reasons.
Her willingness to publicly state that she and Kanye “will always be family” demonstrates maturity and commitment to co-parenting, even when circumstances make that incredibly difficult.
Whether Kanye’s recent apology marks genuine transformation or temporary contrition remains to be seen. What’s clear is that Kim is choosing to focus on what she can control: her response, her children’s wellbeing, and her own health.
For families navigating similar situations—minus the paparazzi—Kim’s approach offers valuable insight: prioritize children, maintain boundaries, and remember that family connections can evolve without requiring reconciliation or forgiveness on every front.