Kendall Jenner began the year embracing single life, openly saying she was enjoying the freedom that comes with not being tied down.
‘I like this independence that I have right now. And I can do my own thing,’ the Vogue supermodel told Owen Thiele on the In Your Dreams podcast.
Within weeks, however, that quiet chapter appeared to shift dramatically, as Jenner’s closely protected privacy gave way to a fast-moving new romance.
Later that month, the 30-year-old reportedly began dating longtime friend Jacob Elordi, the 29-year-old actor known for his high-profile Hollywood roles.
Fans quickly began piecing things together. The pair were photographed at an Oscar party in March, spotted kissing at Coachella in April, and soon after appeared to be traveling together, with trips said to include Hawaii, Tokyo, Australia and Idaho.
Their outings have continued in recent weeks, with the pair most recently seen visiting a Japanese barbecue restaurant on Tuesday.
Still, the pace of the relationship has raised eyebrows among some observers, particularly because Elordi was previously linked to Jenner’s friend and fellow model Kaia Gerber.
‘Some of Kendall’s family members think she is spending too much time with Jacob and catering to him too much,’ a source told Our News Outlet. ‘They are totally inseparable. She plans all their expensive trips, she has the big houses, she books the private jets, she has the connections.’
Kendall Jenner has been spending a lot of time with boyfriend Jacob Elordi and it is causing concern for her family. Seen on August 24 in London
‘They are totally inseparable. She plans all their expensive trips, she has the big houses, she books the private jets, she has the connections,’ said a source. Seen in London on August 22
Indeed, Elordi has already made himself comfortable in her Beverly Hills and Montecito homes in California.
And he has spent time with her closest VIP friends like Hailey and Justin Bieber, and gotten tight with her sister Kylie Jenner and her beau Timothee Chalamet. He has also met Kendall’s lesser-known friends such as Renell Medrano and Lauren Perez.
Jenner’s famous family is happy for her but also worried, said the source.
Khloe Kardashian, in particular, has told her half-sister to be cautious: ‘Khloe is a sweetheart and acts like she is Kendall’s mom sometimes. She is super supportive to all her siblings, so warm, and generous and kind, but sometimes also like a helicopter parent, so it’s only natural for Khloe to tell Kendall to be careful.’
Khloe’s own painful track record with men has made her so suspicious that she has sworn off dating for the past five years.
Sister Khloe Kardashian has told Jenner to be ‘careful,’ said a source
‘Khloe has been burned so many times. I mean, look at what Lamar [Odom] and Tristan [Thompson] did to her, so it’s understandable she is wary of men,’ added the source. ‘She doesn’t want to scare Kendall, she has just told her sister to keep one eye open.’
Kylie, on the other hand, has told her older sister to go for it and jump headfirst into the new relationship. ‘Kylie was the one who told Kendall and Jacob to date each other in the first place, so she is not saying slow down, she is saying enjoy it!’
Another source, however, said there are red flags, insisting that Elordi is in part dating Jenner for the headlines.
‘This is absolutely everything that Jacob wants as he loves every minute of his celebrity and Kendall is only providing him with more – it’s like a drug to his ego,’ said the second source.
Jenner has a history of dating famous people – Bad Bunny, Devin Booker, Ben Simmons and Blake Griffin are some examples – but none have had as much of a reputation as a womanizer as Elordi.
Another source, however, said there are red flags, insisting that Elordi is in part dating Jenner for the headlines. Seen at the Vanity Fair Oscar party in March
‘This is absolutely everything that Jacob wants as he loves every minute of his celebrity and Kendall is only providing him with more – it’s like a drug to his ego,’ said the second source. Seen in Hawaii in mid May
Elordi has already dated a string of beautiful, famous women including Joey King, Zendaya, Kaia Gerber and Olivia Jade Giannulli during his six years of fame.
‘Friends worry Jacob will break Kendall’s heart because he has dated so many women before and he tends to not stay in a relationship for too long. It is cause for concern,’ added the source.
Pals have urged the cover girl, who has said on Keeping Up With The Kardashians that she battles anxiety, to slow down the romance a bit to take care of herself.
‘Her friends have suggested she spend more time with her horses and with passion projects like home design, and more nights out with her friends,’ shared the source.
Indeed, she has been with her horses and dogs – which she reminds her fans of with her Instagram photos. But Elordi seems to never be far away, as his Golden Retriever Layla can be spied in her images.
But the reality TV star thinks spending so much time with a Hollywood heartthrob is fine. ‘Kendall says they are doing great, and he is a good person, so why mess with a good thing?’ said the source.
‘They worry Jacob will break Kendall’s heart because he has dated so many hot girls before and he tends to not stay in a relationship for too long. It is cause for concern,’ added the source. Seen in Tokyo in early June
‘Kendall has a glow, she is totally in love, and thinks Jacob could be the one. Who knows, she could end up Kendall Elordi,’ shared the source.
Jenner has never married, though earlier this year she told Vogue France that children are in her future. When asked if she planned to have kids, she replied: ‘Yes, of course. I want to have them, but not right now. I want to make sure I can dedicate a lot of time to them, and for the moment, I’m still too busy.’
As far as Elordi, he wants little ones as well. When the Wall Street Journal asked him last year if he wants to have children, he said: ‘Very much so.’ He also shared that becoming a dad would make him ‘the happiest person in the world.’
So far there have been no signs that Elordi plans to ditch the beauty. ‘Jacob has been super sweet, he is a nice guy, so no one can say he is a bad influence or a jerk,’ said the source.
And he has been there when she needed him.
‘When her grandmother MJ died she was really sad, and Jacob was there to wipe away the tears. He is very close to his family so he knows how important family is,’ said the source.
Jenner seems to have been spending some time alone with her horses and dogs, but often there are hints Elordi is nearby
Jenner seen cuddling up to Elordi’s Golden Retriever Layla in one of her Instagram photos from mid August
It also looks like they could grow even closer, according to the second source. ‘He didn’t think it was going to be anything big, but it is now, and as active as his career is right now, he’s putting time into his relationship. It’s going way better than anyone including themselves thought it would be.’
And he is not getting any advice from his family to slow down. ‘His family is starting to accept that it is Jacob’s way or the highway. Right now his family is OK with it, or at least acting like they’re OK with it.’
As far as their future, Elordi and Jenner will continue trying to keep a low profile.
‘There is no way he is going to appear on her family’s show The Kardashians, that is out of the question,’ said the first source. ‘But they may work together down the road on a fashion campaign. He likes to model so it could happen.’
Elordi has so far modeled for the brands Bottega Veneta, Calvin Klein, Chanel (as the face of Bleu de Chanel), Cartier and TAG Heuer.
‘Maybe he will do some sexy Calvin Klein ad with his lady love? A little cheesy but fans would go wild,’ said the source.
