Khloé Kardashian has been through a rollercoaster of emotions while navigating her relationship with Tristan Thompson. Despite the ups and downs, the reality star is hopeful for what the future holds in terms of finding her perfect match. Their journey began in September 2016 and quickly escalated when they shared the news of their pregnancy a year later. However, just before their daughter True was born in 2018, Thompson faced allegations of infidelity with multiple women, leaving Kardashian to grapple with the complexities of their relationship.
The Good American cofounder, Khloe Kardashian, initially decided to stay in her relationship with Thompson despite his betrayal with Jordyn Woods. However, they eventually broke up in February 2019. Surprisingly, in August 2020, it was confirmed that they were giving their romance another chance. Unfortunately, less than a year later, they decided to split once again. Nevertheless, they decided to give their relationship another try in the fall of 2021, only to end it for good.
Thompson's personal life became a topic of discussion in December 2021 when news broke that Maralee Nichols was suing him for child support. According to the documents obtained by Us, Nichols, a fitness model, claimed that Thompson was the father of her baby. In his court response, Thompson admitted to having a sexual encounter with Nichols in March, while he was still in a relationship with Kardashian.
In a public statement made via Instagram Stories, Thompson acknowledged the paternity of the child one month after the baby's birth, following a request for genetic testing. Expressing accountability for his actions, the former Sacramento Kings player, who already has a son with his ex Jordan Craig, stated, "Today, the results of the paternity test confirm that I am the father of Maralee Nichols' child. I fully accept responsibility for my actions. Now that paternity has been established, I am committed to co-parenting our son in a respectful manner." In addition, Thompson offered an apology to his ex-girlfriend through a heartfelt message shared on social media.
"I deeply regret the pain and embarrassment I have brought upon you, Khloé. The way I have treated you throughout the years has been completely undeserving. My actions have not aligned with the love and respect I truly have for you, regardless of your perception. Once again, I sincerely apologize."
According to an exclusive source from Us, Kardashian has no intention of rekindling a romantic relationship with Thompson. The insider revealed in March 2022 that their romantic ties have been severed for a significant period of time.
Kardashian's focus is not on dating at the moment, but she is not completely opposed to the idea. According to an insider, she is enjoying her time with close friends and family, but if the right person comes along, she would be open to exploring a new relationship.
Later on, the businesswoman shared her conflicting feelings about Thompson. She expressed sadness because there are many positive aspects to him that people don't get to see. Unfortunately, these qualities are overshadowed by the personal issues between them, as she discussed on an episode of the "Not Skinny But Not Fat" podcast in May.
Kardashian emphasized that the professional basketball player was not a suitable match for her.
"I believe in giving everyone a fair chance to find happiness and lead a fulfilling life. I don't actively encourage others to follow in my footsteps, but I understand that people have their own emotions and choices. However, due to our daughter True, he will always be a part of my life. I acknowledge that he is a wonderful father, and that's where my focus lies," she stated during that period.
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Everything Khloe Kardashian Has Said About Finding Love, Dating After Her Ups and Downs With Tristan Thompson
After the scandal, Kardashian decided to give their relationship another chance, but their road to reconciliation has been far from smooth. Despite the ups and downs, Kardashian has remained hopeful about finding her soulmate and building a future together.
In February 2019, the relationship between The Good American cofounder and Thompson came to an end after he kissed Kylie Jenner's former best friend Jordyn Woods. However, in August 2020, it was confirmed that the couple had decided to give their romance another chance. Unfortunately, less than a year later, they split once again. They briefly reunited in fall 2021 before ultimately calling it quits for good.
Thompson's personal life made headlines in December 2021 when it was revealed that Maralee Nichols was suing him for child support. According to the documents obtained by Us, the fitness model claimed that the NBA player was the father of her baby. Thompson, who is originally from Canada, admitted in his court response that he had been involved with Nichols in March, while he was still in a relationship with Kardashian.
Thompson publicly acknowledged the paternity of the child one month after the baby's birth, following a request for genetic testing. In a statement shared on Instagram Stories, the former Sacramento Kings player, who already has a son with ex Jordan Craig, expressed his acceptance of responsibility for his actions. Thompson also apologized to his ex-girlfriend in a heartfelt and lengthy social media post, expressing his desire to co-parent their son amicably now that paternity has been established.
"You don't deserve the pain and embarrassment I have brought upon you, Khloé. The way I have treated you throughout the years is undeserving of someone like you," he confessed. "My behavior has been completely inconsistent with how I truly feel about you, and I hold nothing but the utmost respect and love for you. Despite what you may believe, I genuinely apologize from the bottom of my heart."
According to an exclusive source, Kardashian has no intentions of rekindling a romantic relationship with Thompson. "It's permanently over," the insider revealed in March 2022. "They have not been romantically involved for quite some time."
Kardashian's focus is not currently on dating, but she remains open to the possibility. According to an insider, she is currently enjoying quality time with her close friends and family. However, if someone special enters her life, she would be interested in exploring a new relationship.
In a later discussion, the businesswoman candidly expressed her mixed emotions towards Thompson. She acknowledged that there are many positive aspects to him, but unfortunately, they often go unnoticed due to the personal issues between them. This revelation was made during an episode of the "Not Skinny But Not Fat" podcast in May.
Kardashian emphasized that the professional basketball player did not meet her expectations as a partner.
"I believe in giving everyone the opportunity to find happiness and lead a fulfilling life. I don't actively promote others to follow in my footsteps, but I also respect people's right to make their own choices. However, due to our daughter True, he will always remain a part of my life. I acknowledge that he is a wonderful father, and that is the primary focus for me," she stated during that period.
Scroll down for everything Kardashian said about her search for love:
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Not Forcing It
In May 2022, Kardashian noted she was “not in that headspace” to consider getting back into dating again.
“I have this feeling that if I were to meet someone naturally, I'm not sure,” she expressed during her appearance on the “Not Skinny But Not Fat” podcast. “I haven't signed up for any dating apps, not because I have anything against them. It's just that I can't envision myself fully embracing them... I value the energy between two people. I believe that if I see a photo of someone, I'll immediately form judgments about them."
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Thinking About True
During a June 2022 episode of The Kardashians, Kardashian expressed her reluctance to contemplate her love life, stating that she would prefer to endure a slow emotional decline. Reflecting on her actions for the sake of her children, she acknowledged the need to strike a balance between making sacrifices and exercising wisdom. In light of the paternity scandal involving Thompson, she conveyed her pride in the efforts she had made for her daughter True, while acknowledging that the future holds its own uncertainties.
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Knowing What to Look For
"They say that love is never experienced in the same way twice. I believe this is because past experiences may leave emotional scars or traumas, leading us to love others in a different manner," Kardashian expressed to Scott Disick on The Kardashians. She further expressed her belief that she could eventually find someone she can trust again.
As the episode progressed, the California native appeared hopeful about her future in romantic relationships. "Regardless of the challenges we face, we will eventually be alright. Someday, I will have the fairy tale ending I have always hoped for," she shared.
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Focusing on Herself
Khloé swiftly debunked the rumors of her dating another NBA player after a fan page circulated the false information. In a firm response on Instagram in June 2022, she commented, "This is definitely NOT true!"
She continued, "I am not seeing a soul. I am happy focusing on my daughter and myself for awhile."
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Taking Her Time
“I haven’t given online dating a try yet. I don’t want to completely rule it out because who knows where I’ll find myself next year. However, at this moment, I have not ventured into the world of online dating," disclosed Kardashian during her appearance on The Jennifer Hudson Show in April 2023.
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Making Jokes
"When Hulu and Netflix collide, the Good American cofounder captioned an April 2023 Instagram photo with Love Is Blind alum Alexa Lemieux, suggesting that some single K sisters should consider going on LIB. What do you think?"
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Having Fun
During a recent episode of The Kardashians, which aired in June 2023, Kardashian playfully addressed the topic of discussing her personal life with potential suitors, highlighting the potential for making others feel uneasy. She humorously quipped, "It's quite effortless to make people feel awkward. You know, when they ask, 'So, how's your dad?' And I respond, 'Which one? One passed away and the other transitioned into a woman,' referring to Caitlyn Jenner's transformation."
The Hulu personality also spoke about her divorce from ex-husband Lamar Odom, revealing, "Why did you get a divorce? Oh, I found him in a brothel." She further expressed her intention to fabricate alternative explanations, but firmly asserted that nothing could surpass the truth.