Kim Kardashian has opened up about her brief marriage to Kris Humphries in a new biography, revealing she had doubts before the wedding took place. The couple, who tied the knot on 20 August 2011, divorced just 72 days later, a decision Kardashian admitted she would change if given the chance.
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In “Citizen Kim: The Woman Who Created the Future,” journalist Jonathan Van Meter recounts Kardashian’s reflections on her whirlwind wedding, which was heavily documented for the E! reality series, “Keeping Up with the Kardashians.” Kardashian explained that although she felt in her “soul” that Humphries was not the right match, she chose to proceed with the ceremony out of fear of being labelled a “runaway bride.”
“I just thought, ‘Well, it’s cold feet,’” Kardashian stated. She now acknowledges that ignoring her instincts was a mistake. According to her, the fear of disappointing those involved in the production and the potential ridicule of backing out contributed to her decision to marry someone she was unsure about.
The opulent event unfolded amidst a backdrop of excitement and celebrity, captured by cameras for an audience keen on the glamorous lives of the Kardashian family. However, in the lead-up to the ceremony, Kris Jenner, Kardashian’s mother, sensed her daughter’s apprehension and offered her a chance to reconsider her choice.
Jenner recalled a moment during the rehearsal at their stunning venue in Montecito, California, where she approached Kardashian and urged her to take a step back if she felt uncomfortable. “I can feel you’re not making the right decision,” Jenner recalled saying, adding that if her daughter wished to cancel, she would support that choice.
Despite the internal conflict, Kardashian and Humphries described their wedding as a “dream come true” back in August 2011, with Kardashian reminiscing that it felt like they were “in heaven.” A sense of euphoria accompanied the extravagant celebration, but this feeling was drastically short-lived, culminating in Kardashian filing for divorce on 31 October 2011.
The reality star has largely refrained from discussing her marriage to Humphries in depth ever since, although she recently addressed it during the “Keeping Up with the Kardashians” reunion special in June 2021. During this revisiting of her past, Kardashian expressed remorse over how she handled the split, acknowledging that she had “never broken up with someone before” and felt overwhelmed, leading her to manage the situation poorly.
She reflected on the self-imposed pressure to uphold her public image, which contributed to her reluctance to walk away from the wedding ceremony. Kardashian explained, “I thought, ‘Okay, we’re filming this for a TV show. If I leave, I’m going to be known as the runaway bride forever.’” This fear further complicated her decision-making process, making her feel as if she was letting people down.
In the wake of her marriage to Humphries, Kardashian has moved on and found love again, eventually marrying musician Kanye West with whom she shares four children before their divorce. Looking back on her life experiences, she recognises the lessons learned from her time with Humphries and the difficulties of going through a high-profile split.
With the release of “Citizen Kim,” Kardashian’s reflections have provided valuable insight into the challenges of fame, personal choices, and the impact of public perception on life-altering decisions. The biography, now available, invites readers to explore how Kardashian’s past influenced her journey and the woman she is today.