A source close to Kylie Jenner, 29, insists she and Stassie Karanikolaou, 29, are still friends despite the latter’s absence from the birthday bash.
The clarification comes after Karanikolaou raised eyebrows by skipping Jenner’s 29th birthday celebration over the weekend to vacation in Ibiza with influencer Alix Earle, 25.
“Kylie and Stassie are still friends. There hasn’t been some big falling out or anything like that,” the source said exclusively.
“They actually traveled together pretty recently. They just haven’t been hanging out as much as they used to.”
The insider continued that the distance fans noticed has more to do with the women being in different places in their lives than any drama behind the scenes.
“Kylie’s in a really serious relationship now and she’s been spending more time doing things with Timothée [Chalamet] and other couples, like dinners, double dates, group stuff like that,” the source said.
“It’s not the first time Kylie has been in a relationship while Stassie was single, so it’s not just that,” the insider explained.
“Their lives and social circles are just a little different right now and they’re not overlapping as much. It isn’t personal.”
Karanikolaou and Earle have become something of a summer duo in recent months.
The influencers have documented several of their adventures together, including yacht outings and trips around Europe.
“Stassie is single, so she’s naturally been spending more time with friends who are in the same place in their lives, including Alix,” the source added.
Their summer travels have fueled speculation about Karanikolaou’s longtime friendship with Jenner.
However, Karanikolaou made sure to send some love to Jenner on her birthday via Instagram.
“perfect girl i love you forever,” she wrote in the comments section.
She also took to her Instagram Stories and wrote, “Happy birthday to my baby.”
Jenner re-shared the post from her own account, responding with four pink heart emojis.
Earle seemingly responded to the feud rumors in a TikTok video earlier this week.
“We’re going home in three days, we’re going to see everyone. My dog, our friends,” she said.
Karanikolaou added in the same video, “We all love each other.”
, the change is especially noticeable because Jenner and Karanikolaou spent years seemingly inseparable.
“They were attached at the hip for so many years that any change looks bigger than it actually is,” the source said.
“They used to travel together all the time, work together, make TikToks, dress alike, basically do everything together.”
The pair met when they were around 12 or 13 years old.
Karanikolaou became a regular presence on Jenner’s social media, joining her on lavish vacations and frequently posing alongside her in matching outfits.
The friends eventually took their relationship into business, teaming up for a Stassie x Kylie Cosmetics collection in 2022.
“When you go from being together constantly to still being close but having your own lives and your own social circles, people are obviously going to notice it and assume something happened,” the insider explained.
“But that doesn’t mean there was a fight.”
“Stassie hanging out more with Alix doesn’t mean she replaced Kylie, and Kylie spending more time with couples doesn’t mean she doesn’t care about Stassie,” the source said.
“They still love each other and are still close. They’re just not in the exact same place in life right now.”
In the viral moment that sparked the speculation, Karanikolaou was spotted partying in Ibiza with Earle while Jenner celebrated her birthday in Beverly Hills. Fans quickly noticed the absence and began commenting on Karanikolaou’s social media posts, with some calling her out directly. The Ibiza trip came after weeks of Karanikolaou and Earle documenting their European summer together, from Monaco Grand Prix weekend on a luxury wellness yacht to nights out in Cannes. Their increasingly visible friendship had already generated buzz among followers, making Karanikolaou’s no-show at Jenner’s party feel more pointed to online observers.
Representatives for Jenner, Karanikolaou and Earle did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Jenner and Chalamet are expected to attend the upcoming Venice Film Festival.