Kourtney Kardashian is setting the record straight about her relationship with Travis Barker and her distance from the Kardashian family.
During the Season 8 premiere of The Kardashians, Kourtney discussed the perception that her husband has pulled her away from her sisters and other family members.
However, the reality star made it clear that she does not see Travis as the reason for the growing distance.
Instead, Kourtney acknowledged that she has made the choice to step back.
Kourtney Kardashian Says Travis Barker Is Not Keeping Her Away
Kourtney’s conversation with longtime friend Simon Huck addressed one of the biggest questions surrounding her relationship with her family.
Simon pointed out that some family members believe Travis is shielding Kourtney from them.
Kourtney agreed that this is not entirely about Travis.
She explained that Travis has a more introverted personality than the family may be accustomed to. According to Kourtney, he does not have the same need for constant interaction with the Kardashian family.
That, she suggested, is different from her former partner Scott Disick, who has historically maintained a close connection with the Kardashian family.
The distinction appears important to Kourtney. She does not want viewers to assume that her marriage is responsible for the changes in her family relationships.
Kourtney Takes Responsibility for the Distance
Rather than placing the blame on Travis, Kourtney acknowledged that she is also choosing to create more distance.
The conversation reflects a broader theme in Season 8: Kourtney’s desire to prioritize her own life, marriage, and children while maintaining her individual identity within the famous family.
A Season 8 trailer had already teased tension between Kourtney and her sisters. Khloé Kardashian and Kendall Jenner also discussed how they do not see Kourtney as often as they once did.
The new season therefore gives viewers more context surrounding the changing dynamic.
Kourtney Kardashian Opens Up About Her Family Relationship
Kourtney’s discussion with Simon came after she reflected on a conversation with her sister Khloé.
She explained that she sometimes feels disconnected from her family because she does not always relate to their way of living. She also feels that the family does not always make the same effort to understand her perspective.
That tension has become a recurring part of Kourtney’s storyline on The Kardashians.
Still, she appears increasingly comfortable expressing her feelings directly.
Kourtney also recalled feedback from her therapist after the difficult conversations she had with her family.
The support helped reinforce her decision to focus less on criticism from strangers and more on the opinions of people who genuinely matter to her.
Her Marriage to Travis Barker Remains a Priority
Despite the family tension, Kourtney has continued to emphasize how happy she is with her life.
She married Blink-182 drummer Travis Barker in 2022. The couple later welcomed their son, Rocky.
Kourtney also shares three children—Mason, Penelope, and Reign—with Scott Disick. Through her marriage to Travis, she is also part of a blended family that includes Travis’ children Landon and Alabama Barker, as well as his stepdaughter Atiana De La Hoya.
That blended-family dynamic has become another part of Kourtney’s story on the reality series.
In fact, Rocky made a brief appearance during the Season 8 premiere when he and Travis appeared behind Kourtney during a confessional.
The Kardashians’ Season 8 Brings Family Tensions Back Into Focus
Kourtney’s comments arrive as The Kardashians begins its eighth season.
The new season premiered on October 8, 2026, with episodes arriving weekly on Thursdays. Disney+ describes the season as a new chapter focused on love, reinvention, personal relationships, and independence.
The premiere also demonstrates that the Kardashian-Jenner family’s relationships remain a major part of the show’s appeal.
For Kourtney, however, the latest chapter seems less about proving anything to her family and more about defining what works for her.
Her comments also push back against a simple explanation for the family’s distance.
Travis Barker may be Kourtney’s husband, but according to Kourtney herself, he is not the person responsible for keeping her away from the Kardashians.
What This Means for Kourtney and Her Family
Kourtney’s Season 8 conversation suggests that the family’s changing relationships are more complicated than outside speculation might suggest.
Her marriage to Travis has changed parts of her life, but she has also made personal decisions about how much time and energy she wants to devote to family dynamics.
That distinction could become an important storyline as the season continues.
For now, Kourtney appears focused on her marriage, her children, and building a life that feels right for her.