You probably think of Kylie Jenner and immediately picture the Travis Scott era or the current Timothée Chalamet sightings. But if you rewind the clock to 2011, things were way different. Before the lip kits and the billionaire status, Kylie was just a 14-year-old reality star finding her feet. And Cody Simpson? He was the Australian pop sensation everyone thought would be the next Justin Bieber.
They were young.
It was a total teen dream. But for years, people have argued over whether they actually dated or if it was just a PR stunt cooked up by Kris Jenner. Honestly, it’s one of those weirdly forgotten chapters of Calabasas history that deserves a closer look because it tells us so much about how the Kar-Jenner machine started.
The Night Everything Changed at The Grove
It started at a movie premiere. Specifically, the premiere of The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 1 in November 2011. Kylie and her sister Kendall were interviewing stars on the red carpet. When Cody Simpson walked up, the vibe was instantly different. Kylie actually teased him during the interview, calling him her "rumored boyfriend on Twitter." It was flirty, cute, and very public.
Shortly after that, the paparazzi caught them at The Grove in Los Angeles. If you know LA, you know The Grove is the ultimate "see and be seen" spot for celebrities who want to get photographed. They weren't hiding. They were strolling around, smiling, and looking every bit like a couple.
Us Weekly eventually confirmed it. Their source was pretty blunt, saying, "They are a couple. They are so cute together." But while the tabloids were all over it, the kids themselves kept it relatively low-key on social media—at least compared to today’s standards.
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Why it didn't last
Teenage love is rarely permanent. Especially when you're 14 and living in a fishbowl. By the time 2012 rolled around, the fire had already fizzled. Cody moved on to a very high-profile relationship with Gigi Hadid, and Kylie started being seen with Jaden Smith.
Years later, Cody finally broke his silence on the whole thing. During an appearance on E!’s Hello Ross with Ross Mathews, he was asked about the relationship and the possibility of officially becoming a "Kardashian."
His response was classic.
"The whole K-O-D-Y thing didn't really work out for me," he joked.
He was referring to the fan-given ship name "Kody," which played into the family's obsession with the letter K. It sounds like Cody wasn't exactly thrilled about the prospect of his entire identity being swallowed by a reality TV brand. He also mentioned in other interviews that everything ended amicably. It was just a phase.
Cody Simpson and Kylie Jenner: Was it a PR Move?
The biggest conspiracy theory involves the "Momager" herself. People always wonder if Kris Jenner set this up to boost Kylie's profile. At the time, Kylie was the "quiet" sister. Kendall was starting to model, but Kylie hadn't found her niche yet.
Pairing her with a global pop star? Pure marketing gold.
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- They met at a high-profile movie premiere.
- They were "spotted" at a high-traffic paparazzi location.
- The "Kody" branding was pushed almost immediately.
But when you look at the raw footage of them together, they just look like two kids who like each other. They were both 14. At that age, "dating" usually just means hanging out at the mall and texting all night. It’s hard to believe it was a cold, calculated business contract when they were barely old enough to drive.
What We Can Learn From the "Kody" Era
Looking back at the relationship between Cody Simpson and Kylie Jenner, it’s clear this was the blueprint for Kylie’s future. She learned how to navigate public interest, how to handle paparazzi, and how to keep people talking without saying much at all.
Cody, on the other hand, went in a totally different direction. He transitioned from pop star to Olympic-level swimmer and indie musician. He clearly wanted a life outside the Hollywood circus.
If you're looking for lessons from this short-lived romance, here's the reality:
- Publicity is a double-edged sword. It helped both of them stay relevant, but it also made their breakup a punchline for years.
- Branding matters. The fact that Cody still references the "K-O-D-Y" name proves how powerful Kardashian-adjacent branding is.
- Privacy is underrated. Both stars became significantly more private about their "early stages" of dating after this experience.
If you want to track how Kylie Jenner went from a shy teen to a global mogul, you have to start with these early headlines. It wasn't just a crush; it was a lesson in fame.
Next Steps for Your Research:
To get the full picture of this era, check out the original Breaking Dawn premiere footage on YouTube. You can literally see the moment they met. Also, if you're interested in Cody's transition away from this lifestyle, his more recent interviews about his swimming career provide a great contrast to his "teen heartthrob" days in 2011.