Kim Kardashian has moved to quash any speculation about a falling out with her close friend of nearly two decades, Jonathan Cheban. The reality television icon and SKIMS founder made her feelings clear during a recent appearance on her sister Khloé Kardashian's podcast, Khloe in Wonder Land.
Public Reassurance on a Long-Standing Bond
During the podcast conversation, the 45-year-old star was emphatic about her enduring affection for Cheban, who is also known by his social media persona 'FoodGod' due to his restaurant reviews. "I love Jonathan. We should call him," Kardashian stated warmly. She directly addressed the state of their relationship, asserting, "Jonathan and I are good."
The Impact of Motherhood on Friendship
Kardashian provided a candid explanation for why their friendship might appear different to the public eye, attributing it primarily to her responsibilities as a mother. "Here's the thing, I had kids," she said, referencing her four children with ex-husband Kanye West: North, 12, Saint, 9, Chicago, 7, and Psalm, 6.
She elaborated on the challenges of maintaining adult friendships while raising a young family. "It's really hard to maintain friendships when you have kids and you're like in it," the reality TV veteran admitted. She pointed out the practical difficulties, noting that Cheban, who is not a parent, has a different lifestyle. "Jonathan is not going to come and sit around Calabasas all day. He's like always on the move."
Khloé Kardashian, 41, concurred with her sister's perspective during the podcast. "Especially when someone else doesn't have kids. It's not like you can do play dates with your kids," she observed. "I get that — and we love Jonathan. There's so much history there."
Cheban's Previous Comments on Their Relationship
Jonathan Cheban himself had previously addressed the rumours of a rift in an interview with Us Weekly back in March. He expressed amusement at the online speculation. "People post me in things and people say that Kim and I aren't friends anymore and it's so funny to watch this stuff 'cause we are friends and we talk all the time," he revealed.
Cheban even mentioned that he sometimes discovers whether he will feature on episodes of The Kardashians by seeing rumours online. He was unequivocal about the strength of their bond, stating they are "absolutely" still close, even if they choose to keep more of their friendship private.
"We're going to be friends forever — and it's fun," Cheban affirmed. He provided a pragmatic view of their current dynamic, acknowledging the logistical challenges. "I mean, she's got so many kids and so many things to do and I'm all the way on this coast, so it's like, yeah, we don't see each other as much, but we talk all the time and anything happens that I feel like we should discuss, we just send it right away."
From Publicist to Reality TV Fixture
Jonathan Cheban's journey into the Kardashian orbit is a notable one. A Fort Lee, New Jersey native, he graduated from Hofstra University in 1995 and began his career in public relations in New York. After working for publicist Peggy Siegal, he co-founded his own PR firm before establishing CommandPR in 2001.
His friendship with the Kardashian sisters led to regular appearances on Keeping Up With the Kardashians and its various spin-offs, including Kourtney and Kim Take New York and Kourtney and Kim Take Miami. His own reality show, The Spin Crowd, aired in 2010, documenting life at his PR firm. He also ventured into UK reality television, entering the Celebrity Big Brother house in 2016.
The recent podcast comments from Kim and Khloé Kardashian serve as a firm and public confirmation that, despite the natural evolution brought on by life changes and geography, the foundational friendship between Kim Kardashian and Jonathan Cheban remains securely intact.
