Kourtney Kardashian And Travis Barker Relationship Moments That Didn't Deserve The Hate

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Initially, Kourtney Kardashian and Travis Barker seemed like an odd match. After all, she's a reality TV star, and he's the drummer from the pop-punk band Blink-182. At first glance, Barker's tattoos and piercings don't seem to fit the aesthetics of the Kardashian universe, but it turns out he pairs just perfectly with Dolce & Gabbana. In fact, despite the red flags in Kardashian and Barker's relationship, this couple seem to be deeply in love and enjoying their lives together. Kardashian has even embraced elements of his rocker style, donning more leather and even occasionally wearing his clothes. "If I was dating one of the world's most famous drummers, I would be dressing the part for fun!! I think it's cute how she matches his aesthetic," wrote one Reddit user.

In fact, it turns out this pair might be the ultimate proof that differences can make a relationship stronger, since it didn't take them long to decide they wanted to get serious. "The question was never if they would get engaged; it was more like when," an inside source told PEOPLE in 2021 after Barker popped the question. "Travis just adores Kourtney. He treats her like a princess and is a great guy." It's certainly not surprising for unusual matchups to go the distance, like Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce, who might be the ultimate proof that opposites attract. But while Kardashian and Barker might have found a love that suits them, it hasn't stopped the Internet from having lots of opinions about this sometimes unconventional couple.

Kourtney Kardashian and Travis Barker are well known for laying the PDA on thick, but it's clear this is a couple who take their physical connection seriously. It seems both Barker and Kardashian have a special reverence for the memory of the first time they had sex in 2020. During a 2024 episode of "The Kardashians," Kardashian revealed it's a milestone that the couple still celebrates, years later. "Today is our three-year anniversary of the first time we were ever together," she told her mom, Kris Jenner, who clarified that her daughter was talking about sex. Kardashian shared her "sexiversarry" gift for Barker and revealed that he had selected the one-year anniversary of that night to propose.

The Internet plainly thought it was strange that the couple took that particular date so seriously, especially since, logistically, it meant leaving Kardashian's kids out of the proposal. "My main issue is: why on that date? Because the anniversary of sex," wrote one Reddit user. "How is that more important [than] the children?" But while it might not be as conventional as celebrating a first date, it's hard to fault Kardashian and Barker for wanting to celebrate their powerful chemistry. In fact, couples who make a point of celebrating milestones together — even the small or silly ones — tend to have stronger relationships and enjoy one another's company more.

During a 2025 episode of "The Kardashians," Travis Barker shared some of his favorite things about his wife, and the attributes he chose to highlight raised some eyebrows. Instead of focusing on aspects of her personality, Barker listed qualities like her careful hygiene and kissing skills. Online, commenters were quick to point out that, while these might initially sound like compliments, the things he named didn't seem to reflect a deep appreciation for Kardashian as an individual. "If someone asks you what your favorite thing about your partner is, I feel like the average person would go a bit deeper into their partner's personality and say [something] sweet like they're kind, nice, funny, caring, or mention a specific quality that they like abt them, etc," wrote one Reddit user. "But I feel like all the things Travis said [are] just ... very basic/surface level."

But what makes these criticisms odd is that Kardashian herself was clearly delighted by Barker's list. While Internet users might have felt he missed the mark, his wife seemed to appreciate — even feel seen — by his characterization. In fact, Barker's assessment of Kardashian might just align with how she sees herself. "Kourtney sort of made being a mom and a wife and 'clean health/natural hygiene' her personality," noted one Reddit user. After all, at the end of the day, what matters most is that both people in the relationship feel understood and appreciated by their partner.

In 2021, Kourney Kardashian and Travis Barker shocked everyone when they posed — tongues out — for a post-VMAs photo next to musician Machine Gun Kelly and actor Megan Fox, another couple famous for their over-the-top PDA. At the time, Kardashian and Barker were not yet engaged, but the photo makes it clear just how into each other they already were. But the Internet wasn't impressed. "This picture for some reason grosses me out," wrote one Reddit user. One person on Instagram put it even more simply, "Yuck."

But while plenty of people dubbed the moment gross or, worse, "cringe," the photo is ultimately just not that scandalous. It's not explicit, nor is it an inappropriately timed display of public affection. After all, this particular make-out sesh was only public in the sense that photographer Kyle Houck shared it on Instagram. These couples aren't getting frisky in front of other non-consenting people so much as they're participating in a suggestively staged image. In fact, the only thing Barker and Kardashian look to be guilty of here — besides some seriously sloppy-looking kisses — is appearing to be deeply attracted to one another. In fact, many of the haters just sound jealous of a couple so evidently enjoying themselves. "I love Kourt and I love that she's happy," wrote one Reddit user. "I'd rather watch Kravis PDA scenes than Kim's constant shilling products or Kendall and Khloe talking about their anxiety."

Throughout their relationship, Kourtney Kardashian and Travis Barker have made several allusions to the 1993 film "True Romance," including purchasing the wedding rings from the movie and posing for a themed photoshoot. It's not inherently weird for a couple to incorporate a piece of pop culture into their personal relationship lore. Still, some people find it strange, considering that the film was so significant to Barker's first marriage. In fact, no one thinks it's stranger than Barker's ex-wife, Shanna Moakler, herself. "What was weird is that they were posting about a movie that Travis and I basically bonded over," the former model told Us Weekly in 2021. "I walked down the aisle to "You're So Cool" from "True Romance."" Plenty of fans seem to agree, with some accusing Kardashian and Barker of "recycling" something significant from Barker's past. "He's kind of regurgitating the same lines and romantic gestures with Kourtney," wrote one Reddit user.

However, in Barker's 2016 memoir "Can I Say: Living Large, Cheating Death, and Drums, Drums, Drums," the musician made it clear that "True Romance" was significant to him long before his relationship with Moakler. It makes sense that it would continue to be important to him after their split. "Travis is allowed to share his favorite movie with every woman he is linked with," wrote one Reddit user. "It doesn't have to change after the relationship ends."