You’ve seen him. If you watched even ten minutes of Keeping Up With The Kardashians during its twenty-season run, you know the face.
The guy sitting next to Kim at a salad place in Beverly Hills. The guy getting yelled at by Kourtney for being "shoved so far up Kim’s ass." Jonathan Cheban. Or, as he legally demanded the world call him back in 2019, Foodgod.
People love to hate on him. They call him a "clout chaser" or a professional best friend. But honestly? The dude has stayed in the inner circle for over fifteen years. In Hollywood, that’s basically an eternity.
How It Actually Started (It Wasn’t TV)
Most people think Kim "hired" a friend for the show. Nope.
They met way before the E! cameras were rolling. It was 2009. A random birthday party for Brittny Gastineau at Casa Vega. Jonathan was already a heavy hitter in the New York PR world, running CommandPR. He’d worked with P. Diddy and JLo. He wasn't some kid looking for a handout; he was already in the room.
They sat next to each other by total fluke. They hit it off instantly.
Kim was just starting to blow up, and Jonathan knew the mechanics of fame. He wasn't just a buddy; he was a sounding board. He understood the "business" of being Kim Kardashian before she was a billionaire.
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The Name Change That Broke the Internet
By 2017, Jonathan started pulling a massive pivot. He didn't want to be "the PR guy" anymore. He wanted to be the "Guy Fieri for the young and hot."
Kanye West—yes, Ye himself—is actually the one who coined the nickname "Foodgod." Jonathan took it and ran. He didn't just use it as a handle; he went to a Florida courthouse in October 2019 and legally erased "Jonathan" from his identity.
He even got a "Foodgod" tattoo on his forearm. That’s commitment. Or a mid-life crisis. Depending on who you ask.
Why Do They Never Fight?
It’s weird, right? Every other friend of the Kardashians eventually gets "excommunicated." Larsa Pippen? Gone. Jordyn Woods? Traumatic exit.
But Foodgod stays.
In a 2025 interview with Tyla, he finally leaked the secret. He doesn't touch her money. He doesn't try to set her up with guys. He stays completely out of her business deals and her dating life.
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"I don't want anything from her, I don't need anything from her," he said. "We've been friends for 15 years... I just stick to our texts."
He’s the one person who isn't trying to sell her a startup idea or ask for a SKIMS investment. That's rare. When you're that famous, everyone wants a piece. Jonathan just wants to go to Nobu and take a photo of a gold-flaked burger.
The 2026 Hustle: Beyond the Shadow
If you think he's just sitting around waiting for Kim to call, you haven't seen his bank account. Estimates put his net worth around $9 million.
He’s currently scaling Cold Case Ice Cream. It’s this artisanal brand with "murder mystery" branding. It’s actually pretty smart. He’s moving away from just "being famous for being famous" and into actual retail. He recently announced plans for a "fortune cookie" flavored ice cream with an actual fortune inside every pint.
Is it gimmicky? Totally. Does it sell? Like crazy.
Facts vs. Rumors
- Did they have a falling out? No. Fans panicked when he wasn't in her 2024 Christmas photos, but he was spotted at Khloé’s 40th and they still follow each other.
- Is he still doing PR? He sold his interest in CommandPR to Simon Huck years ago. He’s a full-time "lifestyle authority" now.
- Does he cook? Never. He’s the Foodgod, not the Chef-god. He famously refuses to touch a stove.
What Most People Get Wrong
People think Jonathan is a "yes man."
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He actually claims he’s the only one who is "ruthless" with Kim. He tells her when her outfit is trash or when she’s being annoying. That might be why she keeps him around. In a world of paid assistants and terrified employees, you need a friend who will tell you that you look like a bicycle mechanic in those Balenciaga leggings.
He’s built a brand on being "too much." The 24-karat gold wings at The Ainsworth? That was him. The rainbow bagels? Him. He leans into the "douchey" persona because it gets clicks. It’s a character.
The Actionable Takeaway
If you're trying to understand how to build a "secondary" celebrity brand, look at the Foodgod blueprint.
- Find a Niche: He didn't try to do makeup or clothes (at first). He took food, something none of the sisters were touching.
- Commit to the Bit: You don't legally change your name unless you are 100% in on the brand.
- Guard the Friendship: Never mix your "bread and butter" (the celebrity connection) with messy business or dating drama.
Jonathan Cheban managed to survive the transition from Keeping Up to The Kardashians on Hulu, and now into the 2026 era of solo entrepreneurship. Whether you find him entertaining or exhausting, he’s mastered the art of staying relevant in the orbit of the world's most famous family.
To keep up with his latest moves, check out his Cold Case Ice Cream expansion or his YouTube channel where he’s pivoted to long-form "food porn" content. He isn't going anywhere.