Kim Kardashian is opening up about the decision to spend several years single before entering her latest public relationship.
The reality star, 45, recently began a romance with Formula 1 driver Lewis Hamilton, marking her first publicly known relationship since her highly publicized connection with comedian Pete Davidson in 2021.
Before getting back into the dating world, Kardashian said she intentionally spent about five years on her own. During that time, she focused on her children, career and personal growth rather than feeling pressure to find another partner.
For Kardashian, being single became less about waiting for another relationship and more about becoming comfortable with her own life.
Kardashian wanted time to focus on herself
Kardashian recently discussed her extended period of being single in an interview with The Times, explaining that she did not feel a need to rush into another relationship.
Instead, she found satisfaction in concentrating on her children and professional projects. The time away from dating also gave her an opportunity to work through the experiences of her previous relationships and prioritize her own well being.
Kardashian has previously spoken about how comfortable she became with living independently. After spending years in high-profile relationships, she said the idea of sharing everyday routines with another person eventually became something she had to reconsider.
Her approach also reflected the realities of moving forward after a difficult marriage.
Kardashian finalized her divorce from Kanye West in 2022 after nearly eight years of marriage. The former couple share four children: North, Saint, Chicago and Psalm.
Her dating break followed a major life transition
Kardashian’s decision to remain single came after a period of significant change in her personal life.
Her marriage to West became a major part of the family’s reality television story, and their divorce played out publicly. Kardashian has since continued raising their children while expanding her business interests and entertainment career.
Her relationship with Davidson became public in late 2021, months after she filed for divorce. The pair dated for several months before ending their relationship in 2022.
Since then, Kardashian has largely kept her romantic life out of the spotlight.
That period appears to have given her more room to establish what she wanted from her life outside of a relationship.
Kardashian still considers herself a romantic
Although Kardashian became comfortable with being single, she has not suggested that she gave up on romance altogether.
During an episode of The Kardashians that aired last year, she discussed how independence can become increasingly appealing after spending a long period alone. She also acknowledged that opening up to someone new can feel difficult after becoming accustomed to having her own space and routines.
At the same time, Kim has described herself as someone who continues to believe in love.
Her comments suggest that the decision to remain single was not necessarily about rejecting relationships. Instead, she appeared to view the time alone as an opportunity to focus on what she wanted before becoming emotionally available to someone new.
Kardashian and Hamilton have been spending time together
Kim’s relationship with Hamilton represents a new chapter in her public dating life.
The pair have been seen together at several high profile events and destinations, including the Super Bowl, Japan and Coachella in California.
Their relationship has attracted significant attention because both have extensive international profiles. Kardashian is known for her reality television career and businesses, while Hamilton is one of Formula 1’s most recognizable drivers.
Hamilton also entered the relationship after spending years outside of a major public romance. He previously had a long term relationship with singer Nicole Scherzinger, which ended in 2015.
Pete Davidson has reflected on their relationship
Kim’s former boyfriend Davidson recently discussed his experience dating her and becoming part of the Kardashian family’s highly visible world.
The comedian acknowledged that the level of attention surrounding Kardashian and her family could be difficult to navigate, particularly for someone who was not accustomed to constant public scrutiny.
Despite the challenges, Davidson spoke positively about Kardashian and indicated that he understood the level of attention that came with dating her.
The comments come as Kardashian moves into a new phase of her personal life after years of focusing on herself.
For Kardashian, those years alone appear to have provided an opportunity to establish a life she was comfortable with before deciding she was ready to share it with someone else.
