How Kim Kardashian Ex Built A New Empire After Divorce

When Kris Humphries walked away from the media frenzy surrounding his short-lived marriage to Kim Kardashian, he also walked away from the celebrity lifestyle that came with it. 

Instead of chasing endorsements, reality television, or another moment in the spotlight, the former NBA star quietly returned to Minnesota with a different ambition. 

More than a decade later, Humphries has reinvented himself as a businessman, proving his biggest post-divorce success story has unfolded far from Hollywood cameras.

Unlike many celebrities whose careers are built around staying visible, Kim Kardashian’s ex-husband intentionally disappeared.

After retiring from the NBA, he settled back in his home state of Minnesota, choosing family life and business over the entertainment industry that once followed his every move.

That fresh start eventually led him into the restaurant business. In 2022, Humphries and his family became franchise partners with Dave’s Hot Chicken, bringing the rapidly growing brand to Minnesota. 

Announcing the venture on Instagram, the former NBA star shared his excitement with followers, writing per the Daily Mail, “Super excited to bring @daveshotchicken to Minnesota with my family. This is the best chicken ever! Get ready Minnesota.”

The first location was only the beginning. According to Downtown Voices, the Humphries family has secured plans to develop 18 Dave’s Hot Chicken restaurants across Minnesota, turning what started as a single investment into a long-term business strategy.

His cousin, Alex, revealed that Minneapolis’ North Loop perfectly matched the brand’s identity. “The mix of historic preservation and modern innovation in the North Loop creates a unique atmosphere that we believe is ideal for Dave’s Hot Chicken,” he explained.

With its colorful artwork, modern design, and popular menu, the restaurants are a far cry from the reality TV headlines that once defined Humphries’ public image.

Although Humphries has largely disappeared from the celebrity spotlight, he hasn’t disappeared from social media.

Instead of documenting glamorous events or personal milestones, his Instagram now showcases his growing restaurant business. 

He frequently shares videos of food creators visiting Dave’s Hot Chicken locations, samples menu favorites himself, and gives followers a behind-the-scenes look at the expanding franchise.

In a 2023 post, Humphries sat down at a table loaded with chicken and sides before declaring, “It’s Go Time Baby!”

Inside Kardashian And Humphries’ Whirlwind Romance

Long before Humphries quietly reinvented himself as a successful businessman, he was at the center of one of Hollywood’s most talked-about celebrity romances. 

Kim Kardashian and the 41-year-old began dating in late 2010 after being introduced through mutual friends, and their relationship quickly moved at a whirlwind pace. 

Humphries proposed in May 2011 with a 20.5-carat Lorraine Schwartz diamond ring, and the couple married three months later in a lavish Montecito, California, ceremony that was televised in the E! special “Kim’s Fairytale Wedding.” 

However, the fairy-tale ending never materialized. Just 72 days after saying “I do,” Kardashian filed for divorce, citing irreconcilable differences and later admitted she realized during their honeymoon that the marriage wasn’t right. 

Humphries initially sought an annulment on grounds of fraud, but after a lengthy legal battle, the pair reached a settlement in 2013. 

Humphries Addressed Longstanding Claims About His Marriage To Kim Kardashian

Years after their whirlwind romance ended, Humphries finally opened up about the relationship that had forever changed his public image, insisting it was never about fame or publicity. 

In a 2019 candid essay for The Players’ Tribune, the former NBA star admitted he “never wanted to be famous” and struggled with the intense attention that followed his marriage to the socialite. 

“I was definitely naive about how much my life was going to change,” Humphries wrote, adding that the biggest misconception was the belief that their romance had been staged. 

“There’s definitely a lot about that world that is not entirely real. But our actual relationship was 100 percent real,” he shared. 

Humphries also described the breakup as “brutal,” explaining that the public scrutiny left him anxious and reluctant to leave his home. 

Looking back, he said all he ever wanted was to be known for basketball, not for being “That Guy from TV.”