One of the most fraught issues in the Kardashian universe over the past year is the alleged relationship between Keeping Up With the Kardashians star Kylie Jenner, 17, and rapper Tyga, 25.
The issue blew up earlier this year when model/rapper Amber Rose publicly criticised Tyga for leaving his ex and young son “for a 16-year-old who just turned 17.” (Kylie turns 18 in August.) Through the storm of controversy that followed, Tyga denied that he was dating Kylie. But the denial became questionable after a post on Tyga’s Instagram account; plus, the two started showing up increasingly in pictures. Kanye West, married to Kylie’s sister Kim Kardashian, told a radio station that Tyga “got in early” and that he and Kylie are in love, but then backtracked saying, “I can’t speak on another man’s relationship.”
However, Khloe Kardashian apparently confirmed the pair’s relationship in an extensive interview with Complex released on Monday. Khloe talked about how she’s very protective of her younger sister, particularly when she’s slammed on the internet for things like getting lip injections at such a young age. “Kylie might be 17, but from what Kylie has been through and the life she lives, she’s not a normal 17-year-old,” Khloe said.
Then the reporter asked about Kylie and Tyga’s oft-criticsed relationship (given their age difference) and whether Khloe thought the critiques were fair. “I think at 16 I was probably [having sex with] someone that was in their 20s, for sure. I wouldn’t say I was even dating, probably just sleeping with them,” Khloe replied. She then doubled down on the whole “special situation” argument:
“But again Kylie is not a normal 17-year-old. You’re not gonna say, ‘Hey, so what are you doing this weekend?’ and have her say, ‘Having a slumber party at my girlfriend’s,’ or ‘Going to prom.’ That’s not what Kylie does. Kylie is taking business meetings and bought her first house, or she’s going on a private plane with Karl Lagerfeld to take a meeting. That’s not even what people do in their 30s. It’s a rare circumstance, so let’s treat this as a special case.”
It’s not too surprising that Khloe is the defender: Without using too many words, she did the same several weeks ago when she posted a picture of the three of them to Instagram.
The issue hasn’t yet been addressed on E!’s Keeping Up With the Kardashians, which is where most Kardashian drama ends up after being in the tabloids. So it wouldn’t be too surprising if that’s where it lands — the 11th season is expected to premiere sometime this year.
