Kourtney Kardashian and Kim Kardashian: What Really Happened Behind the Scenes

Kourtney Kardashian and Kim Kardashian: What Really Happened Behind the Scenes

Sisters fight. It's what they do. But when your name is Kourtney Kardashian or Kim Kardashian, those fights don't just stay in the living room—they become global headlines, fuel for multi-million dollar brand launches, and the backbone of a reality TV empire. Honestly, if you've been following the family lately, you know the vibe has shifted. It’s not just about who borrowed whose clothes anymore.

It's about business. Legacy. And a lot of hurt feelings that haven't quite healed.

The Dolce & Gabbana Drama That Changed Everything

We have to talk about Italy. Specifically, Portofino. When Kourtney married Travis Barker in 2022, the entire aesthetic was curated by Dolce & Gabbana. It was her "La Dolce Vita" moment. She felt she had finally found her own lane, separate from the "Kim-ness" of the family.

Then came the blowup.

Only a few months later, Kim signed on to be the creative director for a D&G show in Milan. Kourtney was devastated. She felt like Kim had turned her wedding into a "business opportunity." Kim, ever the mogul, argued she was just doing her job and had even asked the designers to push the collaboration back so it wouldn't overlap. This wasn't just a tiff for the cameras. On The Kardashians, we saw Kourtney actually breaking down in tears, accusing Kim of having "no boundaries."

It’s easy to dismiss this as "rich person problems," but it’s more about identity. Kourtney has spent years trying to step away from the workaholic shadow of her younger sister. When that shadow fell on her wedding weekend, things got ugly.

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Lemme vs. SKIMS: The Battle of the Brands

While they might play nice for the holidays, the real competition is happening in the boardroom. Kim Kardashian has turned SKIMS into a literal juggernaut. As of early 2026, the brand is valued at a staggering $5 billion. They aren't just doing shapewear anymore; they’ve expanded into beauty, fragrance, and even a massive collaboration with Nike that had everyone's head spinning.

Then you have Kourtney. She’s not trying to build a $5 billion empire. She’s building a lifestyle.

Her wellness brand, Lemme, just hit a massive milestone this January by launching in over 2,000 Walmart stores nationwide. From "Lemme Purr" to her new creatine gummies for women, Kourtney is targeting a completely different demographic. She’s the "organic, gluten-free, boundary-setting" sister. Kim is the "high-glam, 24/7 hustle" sister.

"It’s not about business. It’s about how it takes precedence over hurting your sister." — Kourtney Kardashian on the Hulu series.

Are They Actually Friends Right Now?

Sorta. It depends on the day.

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In late 2025 and heading into 2026, the sisters have been spotted together more often, but the tension is palpable. During the Season 7 finale of their show, we saw a lot of "boundary-setting" from Kourtney. She’s been very clear that she’s "retired into motherhood" and isn't interested in the same level of fame Kim thrives on.

Kim, on the other hand, is currently navigating a "defeated" phase—if you believe the insiders. Between her legal studies (the bar exam is no joke) and the pressure of keeping a multi-billion dollar company afloat, she’s in a different headspace. She’s proud of her family, but she doesn't always understand Kourtney’s need to pull away.

What Most People Get Wrong

People think this is all scripted. It isn't.

Sure, the producers know how to edit for drama, but the "Not Kourtney" group chat Kim mentioned? That was real. The hair-pulling fights from their teens? Real. They are two women who grew up in the same house but developed entirely different philosophies on what it means to be successful.

Kourtney wants peace. Kim wants to own the world.

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Real-World Lessons from the Kardashian Feud

If you’re looking for a takeaway, it’s not about the Birkin bags or the private jets. It’s about family dynamics and business ethics.

  1. Define Your Boundaries Early. Kourtney’s biggest mistake was assuming Kim knew where the line was. In business—and family—you have to say it out loud.
  2. Competition Isn't Always Bad. The fact that both sisters have successful, non-overlapping brands shows there is room for everyone. You don't have to do exactly what your "competitor" is doing to win.
  3. Vulnerability is a Tool. Kim’s willingness to show her "frustrating" and "internal" emotions has actually made her more relatable to fans who used to see her as a robot.

The relationship between Kourtney Kardashian and Kim Kardashian will likely always be a see-saw. They are "twinning since the beginning," as Kourtney once posted, but they are also two individuals who are finally okay with not being the same person.

Next Steps for Following the Story

If you want to keep up with the latest developments in 2026, look for the SKIMS Beauty launch coming later this year. It's expected to be the final piece of Kim's consolidation of her brands. For the wellness side, keep an eye on Kourtney’s Lemme expansion into international markets, which is rumored to be the brand's next big play after the Walmart success.

Checking the official social media handles is fine, but the real "truth" usually comes out in the mid-season trailers of their Hulu show—where the editing can't hide the genuine eye rolls.