Kim Kardashian has officially cut ties with her longtime shadow and best friend, Jonathan Cheban (who insisted on the alias Food God), signaling the end of one of the most visible relationships in the Kardashian universe. The video suggests the breakup was not a dramatic fight but a slow, calculated move by Kim to distance herself from a man whose “creepy obsession with Kim and fame” and increasingly rude demeanor had become a massive embarrassment to the family.

Cheban’s exit mirrors a familiar pattern for Kim, who previously severed ties with Larsa Pippen. Both friends were allegedly cut out because they were deemed “toxic energy” and a liability to the highly monetized Kardashian brand.

The Obsession and The ‘Peasant’ Persona

Jonathan Cheban was never subtle about his priorities: wealth and proximity to the Kardashians. In 2013, before he fully adopted the “Food God” moniker, Cheban applied to the show Millionaire Matchmaker, providing a cringeworthy video where he listed his credentials:

Financial Flexing: He claimed a $5 million net worth and bragged about owning a Bentley and an apartment in Florida.
The Crush: He named his “celebrity crush” as Kim Kardashian and admitted he had changed his preference from models to curvy women because of her famous physique.

Despite claiming to be straight, his admission that he found Kim attractive fueled years of public speculation about his sexuality and his motives for being constantly at Kim’s side.

As his fame grew, so did his aggression, often aimed at women and strangers online. The video highlights several instances where he violently bullied people on social media, calling them “peasant,” “trash,” and “ugly pathetic looking piece of trash”. This kind of behavior, often accompanied by boasts about his wealth, made him a growing liability that Kim could no longer afford to tolerate.

The Threat to Sell Secrets

The most critical factor in the demise of the friendship was the ever-present threat of a tell-all. The video details a tense moment from the reality show where Kim herself confronted Cheban, fearing he would capitalize on his access and sell their stories.

The relationship ended not with a bang, but with a silent, drawn-out ghosting, which the video suggests was done to avoid giving Cheban an excuse to publish a book:

“There’s actually a moment from the show where Jonathan was confronted by Kim at one point about the possibility of writing a book… I mean if Jonathan wrote a book I’m sure he knows some things about those early days because he was a big part of her life.”

Insiders suggest that for years, Cheban was merely a “backup friend” or “option C or D” who was utilized when convenient for filming. Once he became an embarrassment, Kim’s quiet distancing was a strategic move to cut off his source of relevance while keeping the legal threats—like a tight NDA—in place.

A Pattern of Betrayal: Larsa Pippen

Cheban’s falling out follows the controversial exit of Larsa Pippen, a friendship that ended in 2020. Larsa claimed the fallout was instigated by Kanye West, who allegedly convinced Kim that Larsa was “beneath her”.

Hurting Words: Larsa revealed she felt “betrayed” and heard “very hurtful” things said about her by Kim.
Tristan Thompson Claim: Larsa further complicated matters by claiming she was the first person to date Khloe Kardashian’s baby daddy, Tristan Thompson.

Despite Larsa later claiming that she and Kim had apologized and were now “in a good place,” sources close to the family deny this, stating they do not trust Larsa’s intentions because they “caught Larsa talking behind their backs”.

The fate of Cheban, who has since been reportedly pushed out of the inner circle, underscores Kim’s ultimate loyalty to the brand and the family—anyone who threatens their privacy or image, either through toxic behavior like Cheban’s or loose lips like Pippen’s, will be permanently removed.