Kim Kardashian Explains What Led To Decision Behind Divorce From Kanye West

screenshot kim kardashian keeping up with the kardashians reunion special
(Image credit: E!)

2021 seems like a year of big endings for the Kardashian-Jenners. Keeping up with the Kardashians took its final bow after 20 seasons and 16 years on E! That series' swan song coincided with power couple Kim Kardashian and Kanye West heading for divorce after seven years and four kids together. Toward the tail end of their reality show, fans started to see the Kimye relationship as it crumbled, and the second-eldest Kardashian sibling spent a little time on the reunion special getting ever-so-slightly more candid about what led to the decision to divorce West.

Naturally, there's no one better than Watch What happens Live host and Real Housewives producer Andy Cohen to draw out the truth. The reality show family returned to E! once again after the Keeping Up with the Kardashians series finale for the first part of a reunion special, and Cohen was apparently given something of a carte blanche with questions by momager Kris Jenner, and he got right down to business. When asked about the decision to divorce, Kim Kardashian said,

I honestly don't think I would even say it here on TV but it was not one specific thing that happened on either part. I think it was just a general difference of opinions on a few things that led to this decision.

Alas, Kim Kardashian's response was a little cryptic, though still confirming that there isn't a single major smoking-gun catalyst behind the split. She could have elaborated on what a “general difference of opinions” really meant, as well as what those “few things” were, but it's still almost surprising she discussed it at all. There has bee speculated that filming Keeping Up with the Kardashians itself was part of the marital problems, as well as Kanye West’s social media tirades and failed presidential campaign, though neither rumor has been fully addressed by either of them.

The final episodes of Keeping Up with the Kardashians actually gave more insight into Kim Kardashian's relationship with Kanye West than the reunion. In one, Kardashian was shown having an emotional breakdown after a particularly biting argument with West. She was also seen lamenting to her mom that she wished that she had someone to do the “little things” with her, as well as someone who lived in the same state and residence.

But ultimately, Kim Kardashian decided to err on the positive side at the reunion. She followed her initial comments with thoughtful and glowing praise for the rapper – who reportedly unfollowed Kardashian and all her sisters recently on Twitter – and said she would always be his “biggest fan” and “respect him so much.” Kardashian also said,

In no way would I want someone to think I didn't give it my all or not really try. We have four kids. There's nothing that I think parents would want more than to see, or even kids want to see, more than their kids together. I grew up and I lived that myself.

Kim Kardashian also debunked those rumors that she and Kanye West don't have a good co-parenting relationship amidst the divorce proceedings, saying they were in fact doing "amazing” with it. However, it seems the reunion was filmed prior to the news that West is supposedly dating model Irina Shayk, not to mention his Twitter-unfollow spree, so it’s unclear if any of those discussed dynamics have changed. But Kardashian did revealed that she would actually be up to dating someone who wasn't a celebrity, saying:

Just someone that would understand what this life is about, though. But I think what I was looking for and who I was years ago is completely different than who I am today. I value privacy and I just want something that's really real.

So hey, maybe Nicholas Braun taking his shot for Kim Kardashian wasn't so far-fetched. He's not so much an A-list celebrity on Kanye's level, but does know the public life (and even the wrath of it). To see more of the Kardashian-Jenners getting down in the dirt and tea like a true Real Housewife, the final Keeping Up with the Kardashians reunion special airs on Sunday, June 20, on E!

Lauren Vanderveen
Movies and TV News Writer

Freelance writer. Favs: film history, reality TV, astronomy, French fries.