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(L-R) Kristina O’Neill, Lewis Hamilton, Kim Kardashian West, Demi Moore, and Kim Jones attend the WSJ. Magazine 2021 Innovator Awards sponsored by Samsung, Harry Winston, and Rémy Martin at MOMA on November 01, 2021 in New York City.
Rumors surrounding Kim Kardashian and Lewis Hamilton have exploded across social media in recent weeks, but now the celebrity power couple is facing a new wave of criticism as some fans accuse the relationship of being little more than a carefully orchestrated publicity stunt.
Here’s a look at the relationship between the couple and why some fans believe that the spark between them isn’t real as Formula 1 gears up to return for the 2026 Miami Grand Prix this weekend.
A Look at the Romance Between Lewis Hamilton and Kim Kardashian
GettySUZUKA, JAPAN – MARCH 28: Sixth placed qualifier Lewis Hamilton of Great Britain and Scuderia Ferrari is interviewed during qualifying ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Japan at Suzuka Circuit on March 28, 2026 in Suzuka, Japan. (Photo by Peter Fox/Getty Images)
The romance between Lewis Hamilton and Kim Kardashian has been a hot topic amongst fans and bystanders since the start of the year when their budding relationship was first made known by a joint appearance together at the Super Bowl which left social media buzzing about a spark between the Formula 1 driver and SKIMS founder. The speculation intensified after the pair were spotted together repeatedly throughout early 2026, including appearances at the Coachella Music Festival, Malibu beaches, roadside taking in the sunset in Arizona, and on a trip to Tokyo that culminated in the pair’s hard launch on Hamilton’s social media.
There were mixed responses from fans in the comments section of Hamilton’s Instagram post, with some fans celebrating the launch of the relationship while others expressed their dislike for the pairing.
Why Some Fans Believe Lewis Hamilton & Kim Kardashian’s Relationship Isn’t Real
GettyLOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 15: Kim Kardashian attends the 2026 Vanity Fair Oscar Party Hosted By Mark Guiducci at Los Angeles County Museum of Art on March 15, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Neilson Barnard/Getty Images)
According to The Times of India, the couple’s use of the hired photography agency Backgrid signals that the photos of the pair ‘out and about’ are in fact staged. The photography firm has been found to previously be behind staged paid photos of other celebrities, including Prince Harry and Meghan Markle during their time living in California.
The news outlet goes on to report that there have been industry insiders close to Kardashian and Hamilton who have allegedly revealed that, at the very least, the couple gets final say over which photos are published. This includes presumably candid photos taken by paparazzi, which is a facet that has fueled speculation about the relationship being forged. However, it could also be likely that given the pair’s high profile fame that they simply want to make certain that the photos being published don’t show anything inappropriate nor unsightly. Either way, fans are still buzzing about this relationship and the possibility of Kim making her official paddock appearance in Miami this weekend.
Amanda Vining Amanda Vining is a career journalist with over 20 years of experience covering news for digital publications. More about Amanda Vining