Inside Rob Kardashian’s transformation from reality TV heartthrob to recluse to doting dad of Dream, 8
ROB Kardashian has famously tried to stay out of the spotlight in recent years. But before he lived a more private lifestyle, he once enjoyed being in front of the camera for his family's reality show.
, 38, is the only son of Kris Jenner and her late husband, Robert Kardashian, as they are also parents to , 46, , 44, and , 40, together.
Rob was a main star of Keeping Up with the Kardashians on E!, as his relationship and breakup with actress Adrienne Bailon, and shenanigans with Scott Disick were memorable moments of the long-running reality show.
But through the years, Rob began struggling mentally and started to live a more reclusive lifestyle, as his appearances today are rare.
Check out Rob's journey from recluse to dotting dad below.
2007
Rob was just 20 years old when he stepped into the spotlight alongside his siblings for the premiere of Keeping Up With The Kardashians in 2007.
While his appearances would eventually fade over time, it was revealed in a interview that he wasn’t expected to have much of a role in the first place.
“Rob was in college at the time, so we weren’t fully sure how involved he would be [with the show],” executive producer Farnaz Farjam shared.
Luckily, Rob’s schedule allowed him to be present and film more with his family.
2009
The collapse of Rob’s relationship with Cheetah Girls star Adrienne Bailon was featured in early seasons of Keeping Up with the Kardashians.
In 2009, the pair officially split.
Adrienne later explained on an episode of that she was “embarrassed” because she was cheated on.
Rob tried his best to rekindle their romance, but Adrienne was not having it.
2011
Rob was a contestant on season 13 of .
He was paired with two-time champion Cheryl Burke and made it further than his sister Kim did during her appearance on the show.
Rob became the most improved dancer, advancing with his partner Cheryl Burke to the finals
The pair ended up in second place against J.R. Martinez and Karina Smirnoff.
2014
After a very public breakup with girlfriend Rita Ora in 2012, Rob started to gain weight.
His lack of confidence caused him to completely bail on sister Kim Kardashian’s nuptials to Kanye West in 2014.
“I was doing my suit fittings in Paris right before the wedding and I just wasn’t comfortable,” he told while reflecting on the ordeal in 2020.
“There were cameras at the airport on our trip there and I was very unhappy with the person I saw in all the pictures.”
He said he weighed about 300 pounds and just couldn't get himself to attend the highly publicized event.
Rob said he doesn’t regret the decision, but feels “upset” he wasn’t there to support his sister.
2015
Rob’s health became more of a concern when he was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes in 2015.
In December of that year, he landed himself in the hospital because he stopped taking insulin to manage his diabetes.
He told that this was the ultimate wake-up call for him.
“When I got out of the hospital, I knew I needed to make changes,” he said.
Rob had started dating reality star Blac Chyna around that time, who suggested cooking for him to help manage his health issues.
2016
Rob started getting super serious about his health in 2016.
He was excited about his new routine and revealed his weight loss in a since-deleted post on Instagram.
"Looking from where I started 298lbs to my current weight now 248.4lbs," he wrote alongside a photo of him posing with Black Chyna, per .
"I'm focused and determined to reach my goal weight 200-205lbs .... Happy I found my motivation."
In November of that year, he welcomed his first child with Blac Chyna, a baby girl named Dream.
The couple also landed their own reality show, Rob & Chyna.
2017
True love was not to be for Rob, as he and Blac Chyna split at the start of the year.
The end of their relationship would end up being anything but cordial.
On July 5, Rob made a series of Instagram posts accusing his ex of infidelity and posted explicit pictures of her.
He was later banned from Instagram for posting what was deemed to be revenge porn.
2020
Rob turned into a recluse for awhile, disappearing from public life.
When he reemerged he was noticeably slimmed down.
Rob wowed his fans in 2020 when he showed up to both Kylie Jenner and Khloe Kardashian’s birthday parties looking cheerful and slim.
A source told magazine that year that Rob was feeling “happier and healthier.”
“[Rob] had a lot of work to do when it comes to his health and he continues to be very committed,” the source confirmed.
In addition, the source said the whole family was “thrilled” to see his progress both mentally and physically.
2022
Rob seemed to be growing more comfortable in front of the camera and in public amidst his weight loss.
In August, 2021 he was spotted celebrating Kylie Jenner’s birthday party, and a friend of Rob’s told that he is in a great place.
“He’s feeling healthier than ever and has more energy," the source noted.
Sister Khloe Kardashian previously told that she’s excited for Rob and the direction his life is moving.
“I love that he's getting a positive response because it's just gassing him up more.
“It makes him feel really good and confident. That's all I want for my brother, is to feel good about himself,” she said.
While he was in a better place, the same couldn't be said for his relationship with his baby mama.
Inside Rob Kardashian's life away from fame
Rob Kardashian is known for his famous family, but has followed a very different path from his sisters.
1987
Rob was born to Kris Jenner and Robert Kardashian Sr.
Robert rose to fame while acting as the defence attorney for his friend O.J. Simpson during the latter's trial for double murder.
2007
Rob and his sisters Kim, Khloe, Kourtney, Kendall, and Kylie appeared on their family's show Keeping Up With the Kardashians, along with their mom Kris Jenner and her second husband Caitlyn Jenner.
While the show ran for 20 seasons Rob only appeared as a main star for the first 8, before stepping back to a guest role.
2014
Rob's sister Kim got married to Kanye West, but Rob didn't make an appearance at the wedding due to discomfort with his weight.
“I was doing my suit fittings in Paris right before the wedding and I just wasn’t comfortable,” he told in 2020.
“There were cameras at the airport on our trip there and I
was very unhappy with the person I saw in all the pictures.”
2015-16
Rob was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes in 2015, and undertook a massive listyle overhaul.
On September 11, 2016, his show Rob & Chyna - with then-partner Blac Chyna - premiered.
The couple welcomed daughter Dream on November 10, 2016.
Just a couple of months later in December, Rob and Chyna announced their separation.
2017
Rob and Chyna became embroiled in very public disputes, with Rob ultimately banned from Instagram for 'revenge porn.'
For years, Rob stayed out of the public eye.
2020
Rob showed off his major weight loss as he made rare public appearances for his sisters' birthday parties.
A source hinted at Rob's mental health, claiming he was feeling "happier and healthier."
“[Rob] had a lot of work to do when it comes to his health and he continues to be very committed," they told .
2024
Despite Rob's slight return back to the public eye, the star has only made very brief cameos on his family's social media pages and their new show, The Kardashians.
In 2022, Rob revealed over social media that he is the primary caregiver of Dream after Chyna, who is also mom to son King Cairo, with her ex Tyga, complained she gets “no child support” from her baby daddies.
Chyna sued the reality stars for defamation and contract interference after claiming they had her E! show, Rob & Chyna, canceled after one season.
In 2022, Chyna went to trial against Kris and Kylie Jenner, and Kim and Khloe, as she sued them for $100 million in lost earnings.
A jury found none of the family members defamed or interfered with Chyna’s E! contract.
2024-2025
But after years of drama with his baby mama Chyna, she revealed in 2025 that they are co-parenting well.
"I think the main thing is communication. And also, learning your boundaries," Chyna told . "And, if you have your own thing going on, you won’t be so much in the other person’s business.
"Sometimes people lose themselves and they’re so caught up in the other parent’s business to where they can’t even focus on themselves.
"But ultimately, focus on the kid, show respect, have boundaries and communication, and you should have a healthy co-parenting life."
She said in an interview with Piers Morgan earlier this year, “I speak to Kim [Kardashian]. Me and Rob. We are like this now, we're like that now," she said while crossing her fingers.
Rob was most recently seen in a family photo on Easter with his daughter, Dream.
Fans praised Rob, as this was the first photo of him in three years.
"Everyone looks great, but Best looking person in the photo is Rob just to see him smiling best. He has the best accessory that smile," one fan wrote.
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A second then swooned, "Rob looks good."
A fourth said, "Robert is as handsome as ever."
