The long-standing theory known as the ‘Kardashian curse’ alleges that men who date members of the Kardashian-Jenner family experience significant misfortune, and this notion has become deeply tied to the family’s public image. When Kylie Jenner’s boyfriend, Timothée Chalamet, did not win an Oscar in 2025, many fans attributed his loss to this supposed curse. However, with the actor now poised to compete for Best Actor at the upcoming Oscars, questions arise as to whether he might finally overcome this perceived jinx.
Timothée Chalamet’s Rise Amid the Curse Rumors
Despite the swirling rumors, Timothée Chalamet, 30, has dominated the current awards season for his leading role in the film Marty Supreme. Announced on Thursday, he will compete against Leonardo DiCaprio in the coveted Best Actor category. Kylie Jenner, 28, has stood firmly by his side throughout the season, showcasing their close bond both publicly and at events.
The actress and model formerly addressed the curse directly on an episode of their reality show, explaining,
“The Kardashian curse is every male figure that comes and dates a Kardashian. Their life kind of just goes downhill after that.”
But with Timothée’s odds favoring victory at 1-5, speculation grows on whether he could be the first to shake off this stigma.
Past Oscar Outcomes and Public Perception
Timothée had received his first Best Actor nomination in 2018 for his role in Call Me By Your Name, where he lost to Gary Oldman for Darkest Hour. Fans still vividly recall the 2025 Oscars when Timothée was nominated for portraying Bob Dylan in A Complete Unknown. Although many celebrated their red carpet appearance, a vocal segment of viewers blamed Kylie for his defeat, claiming,
“Everyone saying he’s going to lose because he brought her,”
and
“They told him don’t bring Kylie she got that Kardashian curse.”
However, with a string of wins at the Golden Globes, Critics Choice, and other prominent awards this year, Timothée’s prospects have brightened significantly, offering hope that he could dispel the rumors once and for all.
Timothée and Kylie’s Relationship Amid Public Scrutiny
Since publicly confirming their relationship in 2023, Timothée and Kylie have been inseparable throughout awards season, frequently displaying their affection. Their relationship was notably showcased when Timothée expressed love for Kylie during the 2026 Critics Choice awards, followed by the couple’s Instagram official announcement after his Golden Globe win.
Kylie has also commented on the curse’s nature, attributing the difficulties not to the family itself but rather to the overwhelming lifestyle that accompanies such intense fame. She said,
“That’s exactly what it is. They come and can’t handle it.”
Kylie Jenner’s Past Relationships and the Curse Narrative
While Timothée currently stands as a hopeful exception, Kylie has faced criticism accusing her of bringing bad luck to her former partner Travis Scott. The duo dated from 2017 to 2022 and have two children together, Stormi, seven, and Aire, three. Despite their successful co-parenting, Travis’s career and personal life have been marred by several misfortunes.
One of the darkest moments linked to Travis was the tragic Astroworld Festival in 2021, where ten people, including a ten-year-old boy, died from a crowd surge that caused compressive asphyxiation. Although Kylie was not directly involved, the event intensified chatter about bad luck associated with the Kardashian-Jenner family.
At the time of their relationship, Travis openly dismissed the curse concept in an interview with GQ, stating,
“I don’t even be looking at (expletive). I don’t be looking at (expletive). Kylie actually likes me for me,”
further emphasizing his detachment from rumors surrounding the curse.
High-Profile Examples of the Kardashian Curse in Relationships
Perhaps the most notorious supposed victim has been Kanye West, Kim Kardashian’s ex-husband, who endured severe mental health struggles while married to Kim from 2014 to 2021. Diagnosed with bipolar disorder during their marriage, Kanye faced multiple public breakdowns and controversies that led to a significant financial and reputational decline, including losing approximately $1.6 billion amid backlash over anti-Semitic remarks.
After splitting from Kanye, Kim dated Pete Davidson, a comedian known for his role on SNL. Their nine-month relationship was fraught with difficulties, largely due to Kanye’s relentless online harassment targeting Davidson, which severely affected Pete’s mental health. Pete subsequently sought trauma therapy to manage the impact of such intense negativity.
“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,”
Radar Online reported.
“His swagger was gone and he seriously worried he’d become a long-term victim of the Kardashian curse.”
Other Notable Partners Caught in the Curse Narrative
Kim’s brief marriage to Kris Humphries, lasting just 72 days, is frequently cited with fans linking his subsequent career difficulties to the curse. In an essay for The Players’ Tribune, Kris described how his public image declined after the marriage, including being booed during basketball games, and questioned the reasons behind the boos. He shared,
“Is it because they think I was trying to be famous? … The last one killed me, because all I’ve ever wanted to be known for was basketball.”
Kim’s former boyfriend Reggie Bush also experienced a career downturn after their split. Once considered a promising NFL talent, Bush was criticized as
“the biggest over hyped flop ever in professional football”
and retired shortly thereafter. Similarly, Ray J, known for his music career, became stigmatized mainly as Kim’s former partner tied to a highly publicized sex tape, which shifted focus away from his professional achievements.
Khloé Kardashian’s Relationships and the Curse Association
Khloé Kardashian’s personal life has also been entwined with the curse narrative. Her marriage to basketball player Lamar Odom in 2009, after only a month of dating, was heavily documented on their reality show spinoff Khloé & Lamar. The once hopeful union ended after Lamar’s infidelity, abuse of drugs, and a public breakdown, leading Khloé to file for divorce in 2013. Lamar’s struggles culminated in a near-fatal overdose in a Nevada brothel in 2015.
Khloé’s subsequent relationship with basketball star Tristan Thompson was also marked by infidelity scandals, with Tristan repeatedly caught cheating. Fans also linked his basketball career decline and the Cleveland Cavaliers’ poor performance during their relationship to the curse. Tristan went from being a starting player on a championship-caliber team to moving frequently between teams, raising suspicion among followers of the family lore. Despite the turmoil, Khloé and Tristan continue to co-parent their children, True, seven, and Tatum, three.
Other Kardashian-Jenner Partners Impacted by the Curse Debate
Kourtney Kardashian is said to have passed the curse to Scott Disick, her on-and-off partner from 2006 to 2015. Scott has battled addiction for years and undergone multiple rehab stints. His challenges continued even after entering rehab in 2020 to address past traumas, but he abruptly left the facility following an employee leak. The couple shares three children: Mason, 16, Penelope, 13, and Reign, 11.
Kendall Jenner’s relationship with NBA player Devin Booker between 2020 and 2022 was similarly scrutinized. Many viewers believed the curse contributed to Booker’s underwhelming performance in the NBA Finals during those years with the Phoenix Suns.
Kardashian-Jenners Respond to the Curse Allegations
The family members have consistently rejected claims that they bring misfortune to their partners, highlighting the unfairness of blaming women for their exes’ problems. Just last month, Kim Kardashian expressed frustration with the persistent curse rumors, emphasizing the need for personal accountability. She insisted,
“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.”
She further stated,
“Someone that doesn’t take accountability is my biggest pet peeve and my biggest red flag.”
The Significance of Timothée Chalamet’s Upcoming Oscar Bid
As Timothée Chalamet prepares to compete for the Best Actor Oscar alongside Leonardo DiCaprio, his candidacy offers a fresh perspective on the persistent ‘Kardashian curse’ theory. His strong performance this awards season, coupled with Kylie Jenner’s support, might challenge decades of superstition surrounding the family’s romantic partners.
If Timothée secures the Oscar this March, it could reshape public views on the curse, providing hope that success can coexist with the high-profile relationships linked to the Kardashian-Jenners. For now, the industry and fans alike watch closely to see whether he will finally break free from this controversial legacy.
