The Kardashians have kept us entertained with their rollercoaster rides through romance, work and play for what feels like millennia. Whatever they do, we often find ourselves quickly becoming obsessed, and they have become hugely influential in the fashion, beauty and influencer spheres. But every now and again, something happens in the family that does give us pause for thought and makes us wonder if we could really imitate their behaviour. Like the time the entire family jetted off to an island paradise during a global pandemic. Or today, when it emerged that Kourtney's boyfriend - Blink 182 drummer Travis Barker - is alleged to have 'hooked up' with younger sister Kim before ending up with her. Could we date our sister's ex? We've been scratching our heads.
We're getting ahead of ourselves. Let's rewind. Today American site Page Six unearthed previously forgotten Instagram stories written by Aubrey O'Day of Danity Kane fame. In these stories, dating back to the summer of last year, she claimed that Kim and Travis had a history and were involved - perhaps briefly - at an undisclosed time.
'I was BFFS with Kim Kardashian during a Fourth,' Aubrey wrote, referring to American holiday the 4th of July, aka Independence Day. 'She was hooking up with Travis Barker and we were at his house...he was really dope.'
'Shanna his ex (who I love) supposedly was threatening to slash [Kim’s] tyres, so they asked her to park her car somewhere else, the singer continued. We took off and went to some BS celeb Malibu parties where she desired to be photographed, and I had to run around house after house in an uncomfortable dress and high heels to appease that. She got all her photos with celebrities accomplished and we headed back to Calabasas.'
This was written at a time where Travis and Kourtney had not been linked, so it should be established immediately that Aubrey was not being inflammatory in making the claims about Kim and Travis: she couldn't have known that it would re-emerge in this manner a year later. No one has yet commented on the validity of these claims, but it still has us thinking.
Instinctively, we jumped to a feeling of shock at the idea that Kourtney would date someone who had been with her sister. Wouldn't it be weird, we wondered, to be kissing someone knowing they had done the same to a close relative? Isn't it all a bit, to use the scientific term, icky? But then we paused, and really thought about it.
Kourtney and Travis have been friends for a very long time. This new story makes us wonder if this platonic bond began when he was in Kim's life as a romantic interest. But actually, that's irrelevant. If Travis and Kim were ever together, then they are not anymore. They clearly ended things amicably for Travis to remain in the Kardashian family circle, which takes great maturity. And for Kourtney to be able to explore a future with someone she enjoys the company of, unafraid of the aforementioned 'ick factor', is yet another sign of emotional maturity.
Clearly, sisterly love is important to Kim and Kourtney, and clearly Kourtney and Travis have a romance built on a proven foundation of friendship. Maybe Kim and Kourtney are like Jo and Amy in the classic book Little Women, and Travis is Laurie. Sometimes you have to love one sister for your soulmate to come into your life.
In short, we approve of and support anyone who can put their true, instinctive emotions before fearing the perceptions of others. If Kim and Travis did indeed 'hook up', then it's in Travis's past. Kourtney clearly has faith that she is his future. Seems pretty healthy to us.
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