Kim Kardashian's Rise to Fame and All the Men She Has Dated

By Stuart Wolf - Aug 7, 2025

This article appeared in friendlypop.com and has been published here with permission.

Kim Kardashian was born to be a superstar. After her blue movie was leaked, she manipulated the media to become one of the world's most famous women. Before, during, and after her family's reality TV show, Keeping Up With the Kardashians, she dated more celebrities, sportsmen, and rappers than she's had hot dinners. So join us on the rollercoaster ride of Kim Kardashian's rise to fame and all the men she dated.

Kim's Early Life

Kimberly Noel Kardashian was born on October 21st, 1980, in Los Angeles. Her parents were American-Armenian Robert Kardashian and Kris Jenner. Her famous lawyer father became infamous as O.J. Simpson's defense attorney during the controversial 1995 trial. She has two sisters, Kourtney and Khloé, and a brother, Rob.

Instagram // @kimkardashian

After Robert and Kris divorced in 1991, her mother married Olympic decathlete Bruce Jenner (who later became Caitlyn Jenner), and she inherited two half-sisters, Kendall and Kylie Jenner. The blended family was all exposed to celebrity culture from an early age.

Damon Thomas

After 16-year-old Kim totaled her car, her dad made her get a job at Encino’s Body clothing boutique for four years. But in 2000, she eloped with 29-year-old music producer Damon Thomas (pictured, left). They divorced in 2003, the same year Kim's father passed away from cancer.

Instagram // @kingdamon_18

Damon said: "Kim is obsessed with fame,” and ”Kim wants the world to think that she's the perfect, supportive sister who would do anything for her family. But, behind closed doors, Kim has a very different — and troubling — set of priorities.”

Ray J

In 2003, Kardashian began working as a personal stylist to the R&B singer and actress Brandy. In 2004, Brandy's mother, Sonja Norwood, alleged that Kim and her sisters had spent $120,000 on her American Express card.

Shutterstock // S Bukley

By 2005, Kim was dating Brandy's brother, musician Ray J. They reportedly had an intense on-and-off relationship before breaking up in 2006. Ray later wrote about their relationship in his book, suggesting Kim left husband Damon Thomas for him. She took to Twitter to call Ray a "pathological liar."

Paris Hilton

Kim was a close friend of Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie and appeared in several episodes of their reality TV show A Simple Life. In 2006, she became Paris Hilton's assistant. When Kardashian accompanied Hilton to the popular celebrity Hollywood hangout Hyde nightclub, paparazzi began photographing the brunette.

Shutterstock // DFree

Kim was an excellent fit for the LA party scene and red carpets. She adored being in the limelight and soon got hooked on the attention. Thus, her symbiotic relationship with the media started as she started building her celebrity status.