Landon Barker Friends With Your Ex Explained: What Really Happened

If you’ve spent any time on TikTok or kept up with the Kardashian-Barker orbit over the last few years, you’ve definitely heard the drama. It’s messy. It’s loud. It’s basically the definition of Gen Z pop-punk angst. I’m talking about Landon Barker friends with your ex, which isn't just a catchy song title but a whole era of internet history that felt like a high school fever dream played out on a global stage.

Honestly, the whole situation was a perfect storm. You had Landon Barker—son of the legendary Travis Barker—stepping into his own as a musician. Then you had Charli D’Amelio, the undisputed queen of TikTok. And finally, Chase Hudson (aka Huddy), the e-boy pioneer who happened to be Charli’s ex and Landon’s actual friend.

It’s the kind of setup that makes for great lyrics but a very awkward group chat.

✨ Don't miss: Josh Hartnett and Wife Tamsin Egerton: Why Their "Analogue" Life in England Actually Works

The Story Behind the Song

When Landon dropped the track "Friends With Your Ex" in late 2023, the internet basically exploded. People weren't just listening for the drums (which Travis Barker actually played on, by the way). They were looking for the tea.

The lyrics didn't exactly hide the ball:

"I was friends with your ex / You were with him when we met / Guess he hasn't found out yet / But I know he’s gonna kill me when he sees me with you."

Yikes.

Landon has since admitted that the song was a classic case of art imitating life. He didn't initially plan on writing about the Charli-Chase-Landon triangle, but his producer, Nick Long, pushed him to be authentic. Landon told People magazine that he saw it as an opportunity to explain his side of falling for someone he "technically wasn't supposed to."

It was a bold move. Most people try to avoid their friend's exes. Landon wrote a pop-punk anthem about it.

Was There Actually a Betrayal?

This is where things get blurry. The internet loves a villain, and for a while, everyone wanted to cast Landon as the guy who stabbed his best friend in the back. But if you dig into the interviews, the "best friend" narrative might have been an exaggeration.

Landon clarified on The D’Amelio Show that while he and Chase were friends, they weren't "brothers" like the fans thought. They were growing apart. At the same time, Charli was very clear that she didn't cheat. She and Chase had been broken up for months before she and Landon ever became a thing.

Still, the optics were tough. You have a music video for Landon Barker friends with your ex that stars Charli D’Amelio herself, playing a girl who falls for her boyfriend's bandmate. It was a literal dramatization of the real-life rumors.

🔗 Read more: Is Tim Allen Married? What Most People Get Wrong About His Marriage

Where Are They Now in 2026?

Fast forward to today, and the landscape looks completely different. The "Chardon" era—as fans called it—officially ended in February 2024. Landon posted a black-and-white Instagram story (the classic breakup move) saying they had split to focus on themselves but remained friends.

It seems they actually meant it. Unlike some messy Hollywood breakups, there wasn't a follow-up diss track or a series of cryptic TikToks.

Landon's New Chapter

By May 2025, Landon had moved on to a high-profile relationship with Skyla Sanders. If that name sounds familiar, it's because she's the daughter of director Rupert Sanders and model Liberty Ross. The two have been inseparable, making red carpet appearances at the 2025 MTV VMAs and the TikTok Awards.

Interestingly, Landon even got Skyla’s name tattooed on his wrist. It seems he’s still a fan of permanent romantic gestures—remember when he got Charli’s eye tattooed on his arm? Yeah, that happened.

💡 You might also like: Jersey Shore Ron Stop: Why Ronnie Ortiz-Magro Really Walked Away (And If He’s Ever Coming Back)

The Evolution of the "Ex" Dynamic

What most people get wrong about the Landon Barker friends with your ex situation is thinking it was just about a girl. It was really Landon’s "coming of age" moment as an artist. It proved he could handle the heat of public scrutiny while carving out a sound that felt more authentic than a generic pop track.

The feud with Huddy eventually fizzled out, too. In the fast-paced world of LA influencers, today’s "betrayal" is tomorrow’s old news. They’ve all seemingly moved into different circles, with Landon leaning harder into the rock scene and Charli focusing on her various business ventures.

Why This Matters for Us

There’s actually a lesson here about navigating modern relationships in the social media age. We’ve all been in—or known someone in—a "gray area" relationship where the rules of loyalty feel a bit thin.

• Honesty over Hype: Landon's choice to be vocal about the awkwardness in his music actually took some of the power away from the tabloids.
• Friendship After the Fact: Despite the "friends with your ex" drama, Landon and Charli managed to stay amicable after their own split, which is a feat in itself.
• Defining Loyalty: The situation showed that "friendship" is a spectrum. Being acquaintances doesn't always mean a "bro code" is in full effect, though it definitely makes things complicated.

If you’re currently navigating a situation where a friend is eyeing an ex (or vice versa), the best move is usually the one Landon eventually took: talk about it openly. It might not land you a record deal or a Travis Barker drum track, but it’ll probably save you a lot of headache in the long run.

The next time you hear that guitar riff, remember it’s not just a song—it’s a reminder that even in the world of mansions and private jets, being Landon Barker friends with your ex is just as complicated as it is for the rest of us.

For anyone looking to move past their own relationship drama, the move is to focus on personal branding and growth, much like Landon did when he pivoted from the drama into his 2025-2026 era of music and new love. Consistency in your own lane is the best way to quiet the noise.