Behind the Glamour: When Couple Goals Aren’t Enough
For years, Kim Kardashian and Kanye West were the epitome of celebrity “couple goals.” From red carpet appearances to joint fashion campaigns and their family’s presence on Keeping Up With The Kardashians, they seemed unstoppable. But beneath the glitz and perfectly curated social media posts, Kardashian reveals there was a side of their relationship most fans never saw.
On a recent episode of the “Call Her Daddy” podcast, the Skims founder opened up about the challenges of supporting a partner with mental health struggles while trying to protect her own well-being and that of their children.
Trying to Make It Work
“I think people can say there were signs I didn’t pay attention to,” Kardashian admitted. “When someone has their first mental breakdown, you want to be supportive. You want to help figure that out, to be there for them.”
Despite her efforts, Kardashian suggests that West wasn’t ready or willing to make the necessary changes to manage his mental health. “Yes, of course, you want to believe it will get better—for a little while,” she said, reflecting on the hope she clung to for the sake of her family.
For Kardashian, the decision to leave was not impulsive; it was about setting boundaries and protecting her mental health. She emphasizes that she needed to remain emotionally available for her four children—North, Saint, Chicago, and Psalm—while navigating a relationship marked by unpredictability and emotional strain.
Cracks in a Perfect Image
While fans often saw the couple as flawless, social media posts and public outbursts told a different story. West frequently shared cryptic, sometimes alarming messages online about Kardashian and her family, revealing tensions that reality TV had never fully captured.
A trailer for West’s upcoming documentary, In Whose Name, hints at the full extent of these struggles. The film features 3,000 hours of previously unseen footage over six years, showing heated arguments and confrontations that fans had only glimpsed through social media. Simran A. Singh, the documentary’s producer, described it as a “raw and often unsettling portrait” of West, leaving audiences to interpret the events themselves.
The Decision to Divorce
Kardashian and West finalized their divorce in 2022, ending eight years of marriage. Reflecting on that decision, she shared a deeply personal concern:
“I thought everyone would be upset with me, that I was just leaving because it got ‘too hard.’ But there was a lot in there, and for my soul, I felt like I had to make that decision.”
Her choice was influenced by emotional and financial safety, the unpredictability of West’s episodes, and the public airing of personal secrets. In prioritizing her children and herself, Kardashian highlights the complexities many face in relationships affected by mental health challenges.
Social Media and Public Reaction
Fans and commentators have been quick to share their thoughts. Many praised Kardashian’s honesty:
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“It takes courage to speak your truth, especially when everyone watched your life on TV.”
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“Mental health is real, and no one should feel guilty for protecting themselves and their kids.”
Others reflected on the broader conversation about celebrity marriages and mental health, noting that West’s struggles shine a light on the pressures of fame and the challenges of navigating relationships under public scrutiny.
A Lesson in Boundaries and Self-Care
Kim Kardashian’s reflections are a reminder that even lives that seem perfect from the outside have hidden complexities. Supporting a partner through mental health challenges is noble, but there’s a limit when it comes to one’s own well-being and safety.
Her story resonates beyond Hollywood: it’s about recognizing when love and support must be balanced with boundaries, protecting children, and choosing mental health over public perception.
In the age of social media and reality TV, Kardashian shows that courage sometimes means walking away, not staying silent.
Source: IOL
Featured Image: X{@seventeen}