If you spent any part of the 2010s glued to E!, you know the face. Jonathan Cheban—the guy who was basically Kim Kardashian’s shadow. He was there for the Kris Humphries wedding (and the divorce). He was there for the births, the breakdowns, and the endless salads in plastic bowls. But lately? Crickets. If you've scrolled through Kim’s Instagram recently, you’ve probably noticed a distinct lack of the self-proclaimed "Foodgod." It’s mostly SKIMS, high-fashion editorials, and her kids.
Naturally, the internet did what it does best: it panicked. People started asking are Kim and Jonathan still friends, or did he get the "Larsa Pippen treatment"?
The short answer is yes. They’re still friends. But the long answer is a lot more complicated than a simple double-tap on a photo. It involves a legal name change, a shift in the Kardashian brand, and some very messy rumors about who’s actually allowed in Kim's inner circle these days.
The Reality Check: Why We Haven't Seen Them Together
The most jarring thing for fans is the visual absence. Back in the Keeping Up With The Kardashians days, Jonathan was essentially a recurring cast member. When the family moved to Hulu for The Kardashians, Jonathan didn't come with them.
He hasn't appeared on a single episode of the new show.
This isn't necessarily because of a fight. Honestly, the new show has a totally different vibe. It’s more documentary-style, more focused on "Kim the Mogul" and "Kim the Mom." The era of Kim and Jonathan running around Miami causing low-stakes mischief? That’s over.
But just because they aren't filming together doesn't mean they aren't talking. In March 2025, Jonathan (who legally changed his name to Foodgod back in 2019) finally broke his silence on the feud rumors. He told the Daily Mail that they still talk and text "constantly."
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"I don't need anything from her, I don't need anything except her friendship," he said.
He was pretty adamant about why they've lasted 15 years while other friends have been "excommunicated" from the family. His secret? He stays out of her money and her men. He doesn't try to set her up on dates, and he doesn't try to pitch her business deals. In the world of the ultra-famous, that kind of boundary is rarer than a Birkin.
The "Larsa Pippen" Factor and the Recent Drama
We can't talk about Kim's friendships without mentioning the tension. In late 2025, reports started surfacing about "cracks" in the foundation. The catalyst? Larsa Pippen.
Remember, the Kardashians had a massive, very public falling out with Larsa in 2020. They unfollowed her, and she went on a press tour claiming Kanye West "brainwashed" the family. It was a whole thing. So, when Jonathan was spotted hanging out with Larsa at a fashion event in New York in 2025, people lost it.
The rumor mill suggested that Kim saw this as a betrayal. Loyalty is everything to that family. If you're friends with the "enemy," you're usually out.
On top of that, there's the Chris Appleton situation. Reports from November 2025 claimed Jonathan was in a "shadow war" with Kim’s hairstylist. The theory is that Chris has become the "new" best friend—the one who’s actually there for the Met Gala prep and the private jet trips. Some insiders claim Chris views Jonathan’s "Foodgod" brand as a bit outdated for Kim’s current high-fashion aesthetic.
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It’s basically a battle for proximity.
Timeline of Their Recent Interactions
If you're looking for hard proof, the "paper trail" is slim but it exists.
- June 2024: Jonathan attended Khloé Kardashian’s 40th birthday party (the Dollywood-themed one). You don't get an invite to a milestone Kardashian birthday if you're on the "no-fly" list.
- August 2024: They were seen together in public, briefly, which shut down the first wave of "are they still friends" TikTok theories.
- March 2025: Jonathan’s interview where he confirmed they are "straight through" and still texting.
- Late 2025: The Larsa Pippen sighting that sparked the current wave of skepticism.
The truth is likely somewhere in the middle. They aren't the "joined at the hip" duo they were in 2012. Kim is a mother of four running a multi-billion dollar empire. Jonathan is traveling the world eating 24-karat gold burgers. Their lives have diverged.
Why This Friendship Still Matters
People are obsessed with this specific dynamic because Jonathan was the only person who could tell Kim "no" and get away with it. He was the one who would tell her when her outfit was tragic or when she was being too dramatic.
In a world of "yes men," Jonathan was an outlier.
There's also the "leak" theory. For years, fans on Reddit have speculated that Jonathan was the one leaking stories to the press. The Kardashians are famously paranoid about "rats" in their circle. If Kim truly believed he was leaking, he would have been gone years ago. The fact that he’s still invited to private family events suggests he’s actually one of the few people she trusts.
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What This Means for the Future
Don't expect Jonathan to start popping up on the Hulu show every week. That ship has sailed. The friendship has moved into what experts call a "mature phase." It’s less about being seen and more about the history.
They’ve been friends since 2009. They met by accident at Casa Vega because they happened to be sitting next to each other. You don't throw away 15+ years of history just because you aren't posting selfies every Tuesday.
So, what should you keep an eye on?
- Social Media Likes: If you see Kim liking Foodgod’s latest "insane milkshake" video, they’re fine.
- The Holidays: If Jonathan isn't at the annual Christmas Eve party, then it’s time to worry.
- The Hulu Credits: Keep an eye on the "special thanks" or background shots. Even a 2-second cameo is a signal.
The obsession with whether they are still friends says more about our culture’s fascination with "the inner circle" than it does about their actual bond. Kim Kardashian has outgrown many things—her old style, her old show, her old marriages—but it seems she hasn't outgrown her oldest friend. Not yet, anyway.
If you’re trying to keep up with the status of their bond, the best thing to do is ignore the "anonymous sources" claiming betrayal. Look at the guest lists. In the Kardashian world, an invite is the only currency that matters. As long as Jonathan is still getting the "save the date" for the family parties, the friendship is alive and well.