You’ve definitely seen her. Usually, she’s three steps behind Kim Kardashian, clutching a phone, wearing something monochromatic, and looking like she hasn’t slept since 2017—but in a chic way. That’s Tracy Romulus. If you think she’s just an "assistant" or a "bestie" who got lucky, you’re dead wrong. Honestly, calling her an assistant is kinda like calling a master chef a microwave operator.
She’s the Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) for basically everything Kim touches. We’re talking SKIMS, KKW Beauty, and the whole expanded universe of the Kardashian-West business machine. She isn't just a part of the circle; she's the one holding the compass.
From a Refugee Flight to Fashion Row
Tracy’s story doesn't start in a Calabasas mansion. It starts in Vietnam. Her mother fled the country after the fall of Saigon, eventually bringing a baby Tracy to the United States. They didn’t have a safety net. They had grit. Tracy grew up watching that hustle, and it clearly rubbed off.
By 20, she was already grinding in New York City. She went to the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) for design, but she quickly realized that her real talent wasn't just making clothes—it was selling a vision. She landed a job at People's Revolution, the legendary PR firm run by the notoriously tough Kelly Cutrone. If you ever watched The Hills or The City, you know that place was a pressure cooker. It was the ultimate boot camp for the fashion industry.
The Woman Behind the Brands
People always ask: who is Tracy Romulus in the context of the business?
She’s the engine. Before she was officially "Team Kim," she founded her own boutique agency, Industry Public Relations, in 2006. She wasn't some newcomer looking for a handout. She was already representing heavy hitters like Vivienne Westwood and even Kanye West’s early Yeezy seasons.
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In 2017, the partnership with Kim became official. She shuttered her own agency to go all-in on KKW Brands. Think about the scale of that for a second. While Kim is the face, Tracy is the one figuring out how to drop a new shapewear line so that it sells out in four minutes. She’s navigating the logistics, the messaging, and the inevitable PR fires that come with being the most famous family on the planet.
Why Kanye (Ye) Was Mad at Her
You might remember a very public moment where Kanye West went on a rant about Tracy. During the messy divorce era, he basically accused her of "being in Kim's ear" and being a manipulative force. It was wild because Tracy’s husband, Ray Romulus, is a Grammy-winning producer who has worked with Kanye. The families were tight. Like, "attending each other's weddings in 2014" tight.
But when the split happened, Tracy stayed loyal to Kim. She chose her friend and her business partner. Kanye didn't take that well, publicly stating, "I don't f**k with her." It was a classic case of the person behind the scenes becoming the lightning rod for the drama in the spotlight.
More Than Just Business
The friendship between Kim and Tracy is actually pretty deep. They’ve been friends for nearly two decades. They were pregnant at the same time. Their kids—specifically North West and Tracy’s daughter Ryan—are legit best friends.
Just this past December, Kim gifted Tracy a matte black Tesla Cybertruck for her 45th birthday. You don’t do that for a "worker." You do that for the person who has been in the trenches with you since before the billion-dollar valuations.
- Husband: Ray Romulus (part of the production team The Stereotypes).
- Children: Three kids (Raf, Remi, and Ryan).
- Net Worth: Estimated around $2 million to $5 million, though with SKIMS’ massive valuation, her equity could make that much higher.
- Key Role: Executive VP of Communications at SKIMS as of 2024.
The Reality of the Job
Working for a Kardashian isn't just about private jets and free shapewear. It’s 24/7. Tracy has spoken before about the "workhorse" mentality she and Kim share. They both have that "get off your ass and work" energy that famously caused a stir in that Variety interview. Whether you love or hate the family, you can’t deny that Tracy is a strategist who knows exactly how to manipulate the attention economy.
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She manages the crossover between entertainment, news, and retail. When a scandal breaks? Tracy is on the phone. When a new product launches? Tracy is checking the analytics. She’s a gatekeeper.
What You Can Learn from Tracy’s Career
If you’re looking at Tracy Romulus as a blueprint for a career in marketing or PR, there are a few real-world takeaways that actually matter.
- Loyalty is Currency: In the high-stakes world of celebrity business, being "the vault" is more important than being the smartest person in the room. Tracy proved she could be trusted before she ever got the C-suite title.
- Diverse Skillsets: She didn’t just stay in PR. She understands design, supply chain, social media algorithms, and traditional media relations. She’s a generalist with a specialist’s execution.
- The "No Job is Too Small" Rule: Even as a CMO, you’ll see her in the background of The Kardashians holding a garment bag or fixing Kim’s hair for a photo. She hasn't outgrown the "hustle" phase of her career, even though she’s sitting on a massive empire.
Tracy Romulus is a reminder that the most powerful people in Hollywood and business often aren't the ones in front of the camera. They’re the ones making sure the camera is pointed in the right direction at exactly the right time.
Next Steps for Your Own Brand Strategy:
- Audit your circle: Look for partners who have a "workhorse" mentality rather than just "show" mentality.
- Diversify your reach: Don't rely on one platform; like Tracy, bridge the gap between traditional PR and modern social media marketing.
- Build long-term equity: Prioritize roles where your compensation is tied to the growth of the brand, not just a flat salary.