Kourtney Kardashian prioritizes self-care and cherishes her close friendships, countering Kim Kardashian's claim that she lacks companionship. Throughout the years, the Poosh Founder has nurtured a tight-knit inner circle, including her now-husband, Travis Barker, whom she was friends with even before their romantic relationship began in October 2020.
They initially crossed paths in 2006 while the drummer of Blink-182 was romantically involved with Paris Hilton. During that period, Kim was employed as a closet organizer for the prominent socialite. Recalling those times, Kourtney mentioned that they would often engage in activities together with their respective children, almost as if they were playing house. They would frequently visit museums and attend church services as a unit.
Several of Kourtney's closest friends, including Simon Huck and Stephanie Shepherd, attended the ceremony in Portofino, Italy, when Kourtney and Barker got married in May 2022. Stephanie Shepherd, who previously worked as Kim's assistant, became close with the eldest Kardashian-Jenner sister.
After Shepherd left her position working for the Selfish author in 2017, there were rumors suggesting a conflict between the two. However, the influencer later clarified that Kim actually encouraged her to venture out on her own.
During a panel discussion for The Wrap in November 2018, Shepherd shared, "She was like, 'You need to do this. Like, you're ready. Go do it.' Because if I had to break up with her, I don't know if I would have done it at that moment. But luckily, she's such a great mentor that she was like, 'You gotta go. Like, I love you. I want you forever, but you have to go.'"
Shepherd expressed her close bond with Kim and Kourtney, maintaining a strong connection over the years. Notably, she attended Kim's Saturday Night Live hosting debut in October 2021 and has contributed to Kourtney's Poosh platform through various written pieces.
Reflecting on the special connection they share, Shepherd took to Instagram in May 2022 to express her belief in destiny. Alongside a photo from Kourtney's wedding to Barker, she wrote, "Some things are meant to be." The image captured the moment when Shepherd wore a garter that bore a striking resemblance to the one worn by her best friend. During the reception, Kourtney's husband playfully removed it with his teeth, further emphasizing the bond between the trio.
Take a closer look at Kourtney's closest companions and trusted confidants as you continue to scroll.
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Meet Kourtney Kardashian’s Inner Circle: From Poosh Partners to Longtime BFFs
Kourtney Kardashian is committed to self-care, and a big part of her practice involves her closest friends.
Kim Kardashian's assertion that her sister lacks companionship was contradicted in a June 2023 episode of The Kardashians, as it became evident that the Poosh Founder has, in fact, nurtured a close-knit group of friends over time. Interestingly, she even shared a friendship with her now-husband, Travis Barker, prior to their romantic involvement that commenced in October 2020.
Their initial encounter took place in 2006, during Travis' relationship with Paris Hilton. Notably, Kim was employed as a closet organizer for the socialite during that period.
"We used to almost pretend to be a family, doing activities together with our children," Kourtney shared during the series premiere of The Kardashians, which first aired in April 2022. "We would visit museums and attend church services."
In fact, her close friends had been urging her to take her relationship with Barker to a romantic level after years of being just friends. "My closest and dearest friends have always told me, 'You should get together with Travis,'" Kourtney revealed on the Hulu series.
Several of Kourtney's closest friends, such as Simon Huck and Stephanie Shepherd, were present at the wedding ceremony in Portofino, Italy, when the couple got married in May 2022. Before becoming close with the eldest Kardashian-Jenner sister, Shepherd had previously worked as Kim's assistant. There were rumors of a feud between Shepherd and Kim when she stopped working for the author of "Selfish" in 2017. However, the influencer later clarified that Kim actually encouraged her to pursue her own path.
During a panel discussion for The Wrap in November 2018, Shepherd shared that her mentor encouraged her to take a leap and pursue her dreams. She recalled, "She was like, 'You need to do this. Like, you're ready. Go do it.' Because if I had to break up with her, I don't know if I would have done it at that moment. But luckily, she's such a great mentor that she was like, 'You gotta go. Like, I love you. I want you forever, but you have to go.'"
Since then, Shepherd has maintained a close relationship with both Kim and Kourtney. She attended Kim's Saturday Night Live hosting debut in October 2021 and has contributed to Kourtney's platform, Poosh, by writing several pieces.
Shepherd hinted at the significance of the moment by captioning an Instagram post in May 2022 with the words "Some things are meant to be." The accompanying snapshot captured a scene from Kourtney's wedding to Barker, showcasing Shepherd wearing a garter that bore a striking resemblance to the one her best friend wore before her husband playfully removed it with his teeth at the reception. In response to a follower's inquiry about whether she had caught the garter, Shepherd playfully replied with two upside-down face emojis.
Keep scrolling for a closer look at Kourtney's closest friends and confidantes.
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Simon Huck
The publicist developed a friendship with Kourtney through Kim's close associate, Jonathan Cheban, who was previously their business partner. When Huck and his husband, Phil Riportella, exchanged vows in November 2021, both Kim and Kourtney attended the wedding. Prior to Kourtney's marriage to Barker, Huck and his then-fiancé were also present at their engagement celebration in October 2021.
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Stephanie Shepherd
Shepherd departed from her role as COO of Kardashian West Brands in 2017, yet she has maintained a close relationship with both Kourtney and Kim. In a 2017 episode of KUWTK, Shepherd opened up to Kourtney about her contemplation of leaving her position at the family's company, expressing her sense of "unfulfillment" in her career.
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Addison Rae
Kourtney and the TikTok star became friends in March 2020 after being introduced by David Dobrik. Throughout the year 2021, they frequently featured in each other's social media posts, and Rae even made an appearance on the final season of KUWTK. Hanging out with the Kardashians taught Rae valuable lessons on handling her own increasing fame. She shared, "The advice I've received from being around people who have experienced the spotlight is to always remain humble and grateful for everything I've been given because I'm in an incredibly fortunate position. I'm genuinely thankful for the platform my followers have given me."
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Dani Michelle
Michelle has been serving as the stylist for Kourtney and her sister Kylie Jenner since 2018. She played a significant part in designing the aesthetic for Kourtney's wedding to Barker in Italy. The event showcased exquisite clothing and decor from Dolce & Gabbana.
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Sarah Howard
Howard has held the position of Poosh's chief content officer since January 2019, but her friendship with Kourtney dates back to their high school days, and their bond has remained strong ever since. Additionally, avid followers of KUWTK may recall Howard's appearance in a season 17 episode, where Kourtney orchestrated a memorable and eventful girls trip to Turks and Caicos.
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Megan Fox
Kourtney and the Jennifer's Body actress bonded through Fox's fiancé, Machine Gun Kelly, who happens to be a close friend and frequent collaborator of Barker's. In September 2021, the two friends joined forces for a captivating photo shoot for Kim's Skims brand. In addition, the lovebirds, Megan and Machine Gun Kelly, were present at Kourtney's enchanting Italian wedding in May 2022.
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Allie Rizzo
Kourtney and Rizzo have been close friends for many years, even sharing memorable experiences together. One such unforgettable moment took place in Mexico around eight years ago. They decided to venture into the water, but soon realized they had gone too far. As exhaustion set in, Rizzo glanced at Kourtney, hoping she was fine, only to find Kourtney expressing, "I'm drowning!"