At a Glance
- Kim Kardashian explains the behind-the-scenes reasons for the season 18 fight with Kourtney Kardashian.
- Kris Jenner kept the clip off-air, sparking family tension and a week-long production pause.
- The episode highlights how the Kardashian-Jenner family balances personal drama with reality-TV storytelling.
- Why it matters: The incident shows the limits reality shows place on family conflicts and the power of editing.
Kim Kardashian’s candid admission about the infamous slap in the season 18 premiere of Keeping Up with the Kardashians offers a rare glimpse into the family’s production decisions and the delicate balance between authenticity and audience comfort.
Podcast Reflection
Kim appeared on Khloé Kardashian’s Khloé in Wonder Land podcast to discuss the evolution of their reality-TV careers. The conversation touched on the sheer volume of footage captured over 15 years and the editing choices that shape public perception. Kim quipped, “Think about having literally every single day of your life filmed for like 15 years, and it’s just there. I don’t even want to know what’s on the editing floor.”
Iconic Moments
The sisters reflected on several moments that were initially private but later became fan favorites:
- Season 7: Kim threw her purse at Khloé, accusing her of jealousy over a Bentley purchase.
- Season 18: The physical altercation between Kim and Kourtney that resulted in a slap.
- Other behind-the-scenes clips that were cut but later surfaced online.
These scenes illustrate how the family’s on-camera drama can evolve into iconic television moments.
The Kourtney-Kim Fight
During the season 18 premiere, a dispute over Kourtney’s filming boundaries escalated. Kim expressed frustration with Kourtney’s perceived lack of work ethic. Khloé tried to separate the sisters, but punches and kicks flew, culminating in Kourtney slapping Kim across the face.
Kim later said, “Mom was like, ‘This can never see the light of day,'” and added, “She was freaking out, and I was like, ‘You’re not in it, so it is making the cut.'”
Family Dynamics
Kim noted that Kris Jenner and Kourtney often pull back from airing certain content. “I’m just like, ‘Why?'” Kim recalled. She recounted a conversation where Kourtney advised her to keep a particular story private, but Kim chose to include it in the show. Kim added, “I can really step back and look from a producer’s eye.”
Khloé mentioned that Kris had told them, “sisters don’t hit each other,” to which Khloé responded, “Yeah they do.”
Production Impact
The slap caused a week-long pause in production. This interruption highlighted how even a single on-camera incident can affect scheduling, budgets, and crew morale. The decision to edit out the clip underscored the show’s responsibility to protect family members while maintaining viewer engagement.
| Show | Seasons | Years |
|---|---|---|
| Keeping Up with the Kardashians | 20 | 2007-2021 |
| The Kardashians | 7 | 2022-present |

Behind the Editing Floor
Kim’s comment about not knowing what goes on the editing floor hints at the complex process of selecting which moments stay. The family’s long-term relationship with the audience depends on how well producers balance drama with sensitivity.
Key Takeaways
- The season 18 fight was a pivotal moment that revealed the family’s internal boundaries.
- Kris Jenner’s decision to keep the clip off-air demonstrates the show’s protective stance.
- The incident caused a production pause, showing the ripple effects of on-camera conflict.
- The podcast discussion provides context for why certain moments are aired or withheld.
Kim Kardashian’s transparency offers fans a deeper understanding of the challenges reality-TV families face when personal disputes intersect with public storytelling.

