Kim Kardashian has long been known for her absolute control over her public image, turning her personal life into a tightly managed global brand. But in her latest interview on the podcast Call Her Daddy , the reality TV star broke down those defenses, revealing the most painful personal secrets she’s tried to avoid for years. From a controversial photo shoot to rumors about her sister’s current husband and the heartbreaking truth about her co-parenting relationship with Kanye West, Kim offered a cold, calculating look at the cracks in her life.

The interview was more than a conversation; it was a carefully orchestrated “damage control” operation, but also a chilling confession, revealing a woman facing the consequences of controversial past decisions and complex family crises in her present.

The Photoshoot That Needs to Be “Boycotted”: 30-Year-Old Mistakes with 16-Year-Old Justin Bieber

One of the most shocking topics Kim Kardashian has brought up is her infamous photo shoot with singer Justin Bieber. When asked about a moment that should have made her “boycotted” but didn’t, Kim mentioned this photo shoot.

“I don’t know who approved this, and I don’t know who thought this was okay,” Kim admitted coolly.

The photo shoot took place in 2011, when Kim was 30 years old and Justin Bieber was only 16. In the photos, the two posed intimately, close like a couple in love, although Kim insisted the shoot was just a “story about teachers and students”.

Despite her attempts to justify it, Kim acknowledged the strangeness of the situation: “I’m not saying anything weird happened, but I think it was a weird concept, and why didn’t any of us think it was weird at the time?” She was quick to add that Justin’s then-girlfriend (Selena Gomez) and his parents were both present, denying any speculation of inappropriate behavior.

But it didn’t stop there. After the photoshoot, Justin Bieber publicly declared, “I have Kim on Blackberry Messenger,” a detail that raised many eyebrows. What makes a teenage pop star talk “all the time” to a grown, famous woman like Kim Kardashian?

Kim’s self-referencing of the incident years later was seen by the public as a calculated PR move, aimed at seizing control of the narrative. She wanted to reframe her past mistake as a mature acknowledgment, rather than let it be unceremoniously rehashed.

The Unrequited Love of My Sister’s Husband: The Painful Truth About Travis Barker

The most tense part of the interview revolved around the persistent rumor that Kim was once romantically involved with Travis Barker—who is now the husband of her sister, Kourtney Kardashian.

Kim has completely denied the rumor: “No, I never. Absolutely never… it’s terrible that this rumor has spread.”

She explained that she and Travis have been friends for years. Travis used to date Kim’s best friend Paris Hilton, and they are “all friends” and hang out all the time. Travis has also been Kourtney’s neighbor for a decade, so he’s “always around” for all the family birthday parties.

However, Kim’s denial directly contradicts what Travis Barker wrote in his memoir. In the book, Travis openly wrote about his intense, unrequited love for Kim. He described Kim in romantic and admiring terms: “I guess I used to treat women like trash. With Kim, I wanted nothing more than to be a gentleman to her. It was weird.”

Travis also recounted more intimate details than Kim admitted, including Kim coming to his house to swim, and them watching fireworks together on July 4. “We were so sweet to each other like little kids, and when we were apart, she would call me and say, ‘I want to see you again.’”

This is no longer the energy of a casual hangout; it’s the behavior of a date. Travis’s memoir has been heavily vetted by his publisher, leading many to believe that what he wrote was true, and that Kim’s denials were simply an act to protect Kourtney’s marriage and maintain her family’s image.

This awkwardness has created a huge elephant in the room at Kardashian-Barker family dinners. Kim is trying her best to protect her sister, but it’s not just about Kourtney. Rumors have suggested that Kim’s closeness with Travis, who once dated Paris Hilton, is what caused the breakdown of Kim and Paris’ long-time friendship, painting a messy picture of the breaking down of family and friendship boundaries.

The Brutal Truth About Kanye West: Haven’t Seen His Kids For Months

If the denials about Travis Barker were calculated, the revelations about Kanye West were heartbreaking. Kim shared the real reasons behind the divorce, not just Kanye’s public outbursts but also deep insecurity.

Kim said she decided to divorce because she “didn’t like the feeling” when someone spoke badly about her family (including her grandmother and her children’s aunt). More importantly, she revealed the constant anxiety: “Not feeling safe… not even physically, but emotionally or even financially.”

To illustrate this instability, Kim recounted Kanye’s incredible “outbursts,” where he would give away expensive possessions for no reason. She recounted coming home to find five Lamborghinis “gone.” “And I’d be like, ‘Oh, he gave them to all his friends.’… And then I’d come home again, and we had five more Lamborghinis, and then I’d wake up in another episode and they were gone again.” Kim said she had to learn to let go, allowing Kanye to keep them.

The most heartbreaking part, however, is about Kanye’s parenting role. Kim confirmed that she is raising her children “full-time” and that they “live with me.” She has always fostered a healthy relationship between her children and their father, but she has also had to protect them when necessary.

And then she made a shocking confession: “When was the last time Kanye saw the kids?” Kim hesitated for a long moment, then replied: “Whenever he calls them and asks to see them. It’s probably been months since we’ve heard from him.”

The admission was a shock. It confirmed that Kanye West wasn’t really present in the day-to-day lives of his children. While Kanye was busy living his “own world” in Spain, Kim was left to shoulder the parenting responsibilities alone. The long pause Kim had to take before answering said it all—it was a painful truth she had to admit, despite her attempts to maintain grace when talking about her ex-husband.

Kim Kardashian’s interview was a statement of strength and calculation. She confronted the past, defended the present (Kourtney), and acknowledged future struggles (Kanye). Kim mastered the art of “saying a lot with very little,” proving that she’s a PR master, keeping her cool even when the world is waiting for her to explode.