The longstanding belief that men who date Kardashian sisters experience a string of bad luck, often referred to as the ‘Kardashian curse,’ has been a persistent narrative linked to the family. When Kylie Jenner’s boyfriend, Timothée Chalamet, failed to win an Oscar in 2025, many fans attributed his loss to this superstition. However, as Timothée continues to dominate this awards season for his lead role in the film Marty Supreme, he appears set to finally overturn the negative streak associated with the curse. In March, the 30-year-old actor will compete against Leonardo DiCaprio for the coveted Best Actor award at the Oscars.
This year, the odds look highly favorable for Timothée, with bookmakers placing him at 1-5 to win, suggesting he could be on track to break the myth surrounding the Kardashian curse once and for all. His consistent critical acclaim from the Golden Globes and Critics Choice Awards, combined with support from his girlfriend Kylie Jenner, who is 28, adds to the sense of optimism as the Oscars approach.
The History and Explanation Behind the Kardashian Curse
The ‘Kardashian curse’ theory claims that every man linked romantically to one of the Kardashian sisters or their close family members is doomed to experience professional or personal decline. This curse has often been cited to explain unfortunate events in the lives of several high-profile partners of the Kardashian-Jenner clan, including mental health struggles, career setbacks, and public controversies.
Kylie Jenner addressed the theory on an older episode of the family’s reality show, clarifying:
“The Kardashian curse is every male figure that comes and dates a Kardashian. Their life kind of just goes downhill after that.”
Yet she emphasized the real issue, stating,
“That’s exactly what it is. They come and can’t handle it,”
suggesting that the intense public scrutiny and pressure of dating into such a high-profile family may be the real cause of these misfortunes.
Timothée’s Oscars Journey and Previous Nomination
Timothée Chalamet first earned an Oscar nomination in 2018 for Best Actor for his breakthrough role in the independent film Call Me By Your Name. Despite predictions, he lost to Gary Oldman for Darkest Hour. In 2025, when nominated for his portrayal of Bob Dylan in A Complete Unknown, fans were quick to blame Kylie Jenner’s presence at the Oscars for his loss, fueling the curse rumors. Social media buzzed with comments such as
“Everyone saying he’s going to lose because he brought her,”
and
“They told him don’t bring Kylie she got that Kardashian curse.”
Despite these whispers, Timothée and Kylie have remained inseparable during the current awards season, regularly appearing together and sharing public displays of affection. Their closeness was on full display when Timothée publicly declared his love for Kylie on stage at the 2026 Critics Choice Awards. The couple also confirmed their relationship through social media after he won a Golden Globe. This united front contrasts with the past experiences of previous Kardashian partners, indicating a potentially new chapter for Timothée.
Controversies and Setbacks Among Past Kardashian Partners
The curse theory is often linked to a series of unfortunate events that befell some of the Kardashian family’s former partners. Perhaps the most notable example is Kim Kardashian’s ex-husband, Kanye West. During their marriage, Kanye experienced a highly publicized mental health breakdown and was hospitalized. Although initially diagnosed with bipolar disorder, he later challenged the diagnosis. Post-divorce, Kanye has faced multiple controversies, including anti-Semitic remarks that led to him reportedly losing $1.6 billion in net worth.
Following Kim’s separation from Kanye, she dated SNL star Pete Davidson for nine months. During their relationship, Pete was subjected to relentless online harassment from Kanye, which negatively affected his mental health, eventually leading him to undergo trauma therapy. A source explained to Radar Online,
“The more he reflects on what he went through with Kim the more Pete wants to pinch himself and ask what the hell he was thinking,”
adding,
“His swagger was gone and he seriously worried he’d become a long-term victim of the Kardashian curse.”
Kris Humphries, another figure associated with Kim Kardashian, also endured public backlash. Their short-lived 72-day marriage overshadowed his basketball career, leading to booing during games and a damaged reputation. In an essay for The Players’ Tribune, Kris reflected on his experience:
“Why exactly are they booing me, though? Is it just because I’m That Guy from TV? Do they think I was trying to be famous? Is it because they think I disrespected the game of basketball?”
He mourned that all he wanted was to be recognized for his athletic ability rather than his brief association with reality TV fame.
Additional Examples of the So-Called Curse Affecting Kardashian Partners
Kim’s past relationships have included NFL star Reggie Bush, whose career seemed to lose momentum following their split, with critics branding him
“the biggest over hyped flop ever in professional football.”
Ray J, known for releasing a sex tape with Kim, saw his musical career overshadowed by the association with the video, reducing his reputation largely to that of ‘Kim’s sex tape partner.’
Khloé Kardashian’s marriages and relationships have also been linked to the curse narrative. She married basketball player Lamar Odom in 2009 after dating only a month. Their romance was heavily documented on the reality show Khloé & Lamar, but ended amid reports of infidelity, substance abuse, and severe personal struggles for Lamar. The divorce was finally finalized in 2016 after Lamar suffered a nearly fatal overdose in 2015.
Khloé’s subsequent relationship with basketball star Tristan Thompson was again marked by infidelity accusations, alongside a noticeable decline in his NBA career. Fans noted Tristan went from being a key player on a championship team to being traded among different teams, fueling speculation that the Kardashian curse had taken hold. Despite their split, Khloé and Tristan continue to co-parent their children True, seven, and Tatum, three.
Kourtney Kardashian has also been implicated in the theory through her on-again, off-again relationship with Scott Disick, with whom she has three children: Mason, 16; Penelope, 13; and Reign, 11. Scott’s battles with addiction and multiple rehab stays have been highly publicized. His struggles were highlighted in a reality show episode where a psychic suggested he was ‘cursed,’ further amplifying the curse rumors. Scott checked into rehab in 2020 to address past traumas but left early after a staff member leaked information about his treatment.
Kendall Jenner’s relationship with basketball player Devin Booker from 2020 to 2022 also drew attention from fans who blamed the couple’s split on the curse. Devin’s performance in the NBA Finals in 2021 and 2022 was scrutinized, with fans speculating that dating Kendall negatively impacted his career.
The Kardashian Family Responds to the Curse Allegations
The Kardashian-Jenner family has consistently pushed back against the narrative that they bring misfortune to their romantic partners. Kim Kardashian recently expressed frustration with the viral curse theory, stating,
“I think it’s really unfair to say that women are the problem when it comes to issues that our exes might be dealing with…”
She elaborated on the lack of personal responsibility for the men involved, commenting,
“you’re all so powerful that you did this to all these men and they have no hand in their life and they have no autonomy.”
Kim added that a refusal to accept accountability is a major warning sign:
“Someone that doesn’t take accountability is my biggest pet peeve and my biggest red flag.”
What Timothée Chalamet’s Success Could Mean for the Curse Narrative
Timothée Chalamet’s status as a frontrunner in the Best Actor Oscar race has sparked hopes that the ‘Kardashian curse’ narrative might finally be disproven. His consistent string of accolades, including wins at major awards shows earlier this year, paired with his supportive and stylish partner Kylie Jenner, sharply contrasts the struggles experienced by many past Kardashian partners.
If Timothée secures the Oscar this March, it could signal a shift in public perception, illustrating that the supposed curse may simply be a media-driven myth rooted in the immense pressure that surrounds dating members of one of the world’s most influential families. For Timothée and Kylie, this moment could mark the end of a long-standing superstition and offer a fresh perspective on the challenges of fame and relationships within the Kardashian-Jenner spotlight.
