Sibling rivalry is usually about who gets the remote or who ruined whose favorite sweater. But when you’re a Kardashian, those petty squabbles turn into multi-season arcs, viral soundbites, and literal fisticuffs in front of a camera crew. Most people think the kim kourtney fights are just scripted drama to keep the ratings up. Honestly? If you look at the history, the tension is way too raw to be 100% fake.
The relationship between Kim and Kourtney has shifted from "best friends and business partners" to a cold war that honestly feels like it might never fully thaw. It’s not just about one wedding or one fashion show. It’s a deep-seated clash of values that has been bubbling under the surface for over a decade.
The Slap Heard ‘Round the World
Let’s talk about the big one. You know the one. Season 18 of Keeping Up With the Kardashians gave us the most violent physical altercation in the show’s history. It started over something incredibly corporate: work ethic.
Kim was venting to Kendall and Khloé about how certain family members (clearly hinting at Kourtney) didn't care about the "grind." Kourtney reached her breaking point. She didn't just yell; she threw a coconut water at Kim and then lunged. What followed was a flurry of slaps, scratches, and a kick that left makeup stains on the wall.
Kim "saw red." In her confessional, she admitted she needed to prove she couldn't be physically bullied. This wasn't just a sisterly spat. It was the moment Kourtney realized she no longer wanted to be a "cog in the machine" of the Kardashian brand. She was over it. Basically, she wanted out of the spotlight that Kim lives for.
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The Dolce & Gabbana "Betrayal"
Fast forward to the Hulu era. Just when we thought they were cool, the kim kourtney fights reignited over a wedding. Specifically, Kourtney’s 2022 Italian nuptials to Travis Barker.
The wedding was essentially "hosted" by Dolce & Gabbana. They provided the archival looks, the vibe, the whole Dolce Vita aesthetic. Then, four months later, Kim signed a deal to be the creative director for a D&G runway show.
- Kourtney's take: Kim "stole" her wedding vibe for a paycheck. She felt like her sister couldn't let her have one moment of being the center of attention without turning it into a business deal.
- Kim's take: She "begged" the designers to push the collection back so it wouldn't be too close to the wedding. She saw it as a massive professional opportunity and thought Kourtney was being a "hater."
During a brutal phone call in Season 4 of The Kardashians, Kourtney called Kim a "witch" and a "narcissist." Kim countered by revealing a "Not Kourtney" group chat where the rest of the family allegedly vents about her. It was low. It was personal. And it showed how much the family dynamic had fractured.
Why They Can't Just Get Along
If you dig into the psychology of it, the sisters are polar opposites. Kim is the quintessential "get your ass up and work" entrepreneur. She defines herself by her productivity and her status. Kourtney, especially since meeting Travis, has pivoted to "boundaries" and "protecting her peace."
When Kim tells Kourtney she’s the "least exciting to look at" (the infamous 2018 Christmas card fight), she’s attacking Kourtney’s value to the family business. To Kim, if you aren't contributing to the "empire," you're dead weight. To Kourtney, Kim is a workaholic who has lost her soul to the cameras.
Real Talk on the Group Chat Scandal
The "Not Kourtney" group chat is probably the most damaging thing to come out of the recent kim kourtney fights. Imagine finding out your sisters and your best friends have a private digital space just to talk trash about you. Kim used it as a weapon during their phone call, even claiming Kourtney's kids (Mason, Penelope, and Reign) had come to her with complaints about their mom.
Kourtney’s reaction? She cried. She said it felt like Kim was "weaponizing" everyone against her. This is where the "human" element of the show actually feels real. You can’t fake that kind of hurt.
How to Navigate High-Stakes Sibling Conflict
Watching the Kardashians is entertaining, but their blowouts actually offer some lessons on what not to do when things get heated with family.
- Avoid "Low Blows": Bringing up someone’s kids or their appearance (like the "least exciting to look at" comment) creates permanent scars. Those aren't about the argument; they're about causing pain.
- Identify the Root Issue: The D&G fight wasn't about clothes. It was about Kourtney feeling unseen and Kim feeling unappreciated. Address the feeling, not the fabric.
- Know When to Step Back: Kourtney eventually stepped back from full-time filming to save her mental health. Sometimes, physical and emotional distance is the only way to keep the peace.
- End the "Triangulation": Using other family members (or a group chat) to validate your side of the story only makes the "target" feel isolated and defensive.
The current state of the kim kourtney fights seems to be a "civil" but distant truce. They can show up for a photoshoot together, but the deep-rooted resentment about work, fame, and loyalty is still there. It's a reminder that even with all the money in the world, family dynamics are the one thing you can't easily fix with a brand deal.
To understand the full scope of their current relationship, you should look back at the Season 15 "Christmas Card" episode and compare it to the Season 4 "Phone Call" episode. The insults have evolved from being about "looks" to being about "character," which is much harder to come back from. Observe how their body language has changed over the years; they rarely sit close to each other in joint confessionals anymore, signaling a shift that is likely permanent.
Next Steps for Understanding the Feud:
- Compare the Season 18 physical fight with the Season 4 phone call to see how their conflict has moved from physical to psychological.
- Review Kourtney's interview on the Not Skinny But Not Fat podcast for her unedited perspective on the "Not Kourtney" group chat.
- Watch the "Ciao, Kim" episode alongside Kourtney’s wedding special to spot the specific archival looks that sparked the D&G war.