If you watched the early seasons of Keeping Up With The Kardashians, you remember the "Dash Dolls" era. Kourtney and Khloe were basically an inseparable unit. They had their own spin-offs in Miami and the Hamptons. They shared a specific, dry sense of humor that usually involved making fun of Kim. They were the "relatable" ones. But if you've tuned into the Hulu show lately, that vibe is... gone.
Honestly, it's a bit jarring.
In the most recent 2025 and early 2026 updates from the family's reality series and social media presence, the distance between Kourtney Kardashian and Khloe Kardashian has become the elephant in the room. They aren't just "busy." They are living in two entirely different universes. While Kourtney has leaned fully into her "Travis Barker era"—prioritizing "Leaning into the divine feminine" and holistic wellness—Khloe has become the backbone of the traditional Kardashian machine.
The Pivot That Changed Everything
What most people get wrong is thinking this started with Travis Barker. It didn't. The cracks actually began showing around 2018 when Khloe was pregnant with True.
During that time, Kourtney was going through a self-described "therapy journey." She started setting boundaries. Loudly. Khloe, who was dealing with the initial Tristan Thompson cheating scandal, felt abandoned by the person she used to call her "soulmate."
👉 See also: Why Taylor Swift People Mag Covers Actually Define Her Career Eras
The triangulation factor
A huge part of the drama is how the sisterly dynamics shifted. It used to be Kourtney and Khloe vs. Kim. Now? It’s very much Kim and Khloe vs. Kourtney.
- The "Work" Argument: Kim and Khloe often criticize Kourtney’s work ethic.
- The Scapegoat Theory: Many fans on platforms like Reddit argue that Khloe has become a "follower" of Kim to avoid being the next family target.
- The Scott Disick Problem: Kourtney has been vocal about feeling unsupported because her family—specifically Khloe—remains so close to her ex, Scott.
The Business of Being Sisters in 2026
Even their brands feel like they're in a cold war. Kourtney is pushing Lemme, her supplement line that just expanded into performance nutrition with a creatine gummy launch in January 2026. She’s all about the "clean," "natural," and "organic" lifestyle.
Then you have Khloe with Good American.
Khloe is still very much about the "grind." She’s in the gym at 5:00 AM. She’s posting about biological aging tests. In a recent episode of her podcast, "Khloe in Wonder Land," she mentioned how the sisters are respectful about money but don't even Venmo each other. They are separate entities now.
✨ Don't miss: Does Emmanuel Macron Have Children? The Real Story of the French President’s Family Life
What Really Happened in the Season Finale?
The tension finally boiled over in what fans are calling a "heart-to-heart" that didn't quite land. Kourtney admitted to sending "rage texts" to Kim in a group chat she thought Khloe couldn't see (spoiler: she could).
Kourtney’s perspective is that she’s "misunderstood" and "mistreated" by a family that values fame over feelings. Khloe’s perspective? She thinks Kourtney is "judgmental" and "holier-than-thou."
It’s a classic family stalemate.
One sister is trying to "break toxic cycles" by distancing herself. The other is trying to keep the family together by showing up to every single event. Both feel like they are doing the right thing.
🔗 Read more: Judge Dana and Keith Cutler: What Most People Get Wrong About TV’s Favorite Legal Couple
Recent 2026 Milestones
- New Year’s Eve: Khloe spent it quietly with her kids, True and Tatum, posting about "peace and unity."
- The "Mom-Shaming" Arc: Kim and Khloe have been caught in several clips questioning Kourtney’s "attachment parenting" style, while Kourtney has subtly critiqued Khloe’s "strict routines."
- The Tristan Factor: Kourtney remains the only sister who consistently keeps a hard boundary with Tristan Thompson, which reportedly creates "weirdness" during family gatherings.
Why This Matters Beyond the Gossip
Watching Kourtney Kardashian and Khloe Kardashian drift apart is actually a very common human experience. It’s the "growing pains" of adulthood.
When one person in a family system changes—like Kourtney did through therapy and her marriage—it forces everyone else to change too. If they don't want to change, they react with anger or "othering."
Khloe is currently in her "Mommy Era," as she calls it. She hasn't dated in years and is focused entirely on her kids. Kourtney is in her "Blissful Bubble" with Travis and their son, Rocky.
They aren't "enemies," but the era of the "Kourt and Khloe" duo is officially in the rearview mirror.
Moving Forward: Lessons from the Kardashian Fallout
If you find yourself in a similar spot with a sibling or a best friend, there are a few things to keep in mind based on how this public drama has unfolded:
- Boundaries aren't bridges. When you set a boundary, expect people to be upset. Kourtney's "peace" came at the cost of her closeness with Khloe.
- Triangulation kills relationships. If you have a problem with one sibling, talk to them directly. Bringing a third sibling (like Kim) into the mix usually makes the "target" feel ganged up on.
- Value shifts are permanent. You can't force someone to care about "hustle culture" if they've moved on to "wellness culture."
To keep up with the latest shifts in their relationship, your best bet is to watch the unedited "confessionals" in the upcoming season. They tend to say more to the camera than they do to each other's faces. Pay attention to who is "liking" whose Instagram posts—in 2026, a missed "double tap" is the loudest way a Kardashian can scream.