When Chris Humphries walked away from the media frenzy surrounding his short-lived marriage to Kim Kardashianhe also gave up the celebrity lifestyle that came with it.
Instead of chasing publicity, reality TV or another moment in the spotlight, the former NBA star has quietly returned to Minnesota with other ambitions.
More than a decade later, Humphries has reinvented himself as a businessman, proving his biggest post-divorce success story to have unfolded away from the Hollywood cameras.
Unlike many celebrities whose careers are built on staying in the public eye, Kim Kardashian’s ex-husband has deliberately disappeared.
After retiring from the NBA, he returned to his home state of Minnesota, choosing family life and business over the entertainment industry that once followed his every move.
This new beginning eventually led him into the restaurant business. In 2022, Humphries and his family became franchise partners for Dave’s Hot Chicken, bringing the fast-growing brand to Minnesota.
Announcing the project on Instagram, the former NBA star shared his excitement with his followers, writing according to Daily mail“Excited to bring @daveshotchicken to Minnesota with my family. This is the best chicken ever! Get ready, Minnesota.”
Former Kardashian expands his restaurant presence
The first location was just the beginning. According to Voices of the city centerThe Humphries family developed plans to develop 18 Dave’s Hot Chicken restaurants throughout Minnesota, turning what began as a one-time investment into a long-term business strategy.
His cousin Alex said the North Loop in Minneapolis fits perfectly with the brand’s identity. “The combination of historic preservation and modern innovation in the North Loop creates a unique atmosphere that we believe is perfect for Dave’s Hot Chicken,” he explained.
The restaurants, with colorful artwork, modern designs and popular menus, are a far cry from the reality TV headlines that once defined Humphries’ public image.
Kim Kardashian’s ex is using social media to promote his new venture
Although Humphries has largely disappeared from the celebrity radar, he hasn’t disappeared from social media.
Instead of documenting glamorous events or personal accomplishments, his Instagram now showcases his growing restaurant business.
He frequently shares videos of food creators visiting Dave’s Hot Chicken locations, trying his own favorite menu items, and giving followers a behind-the-scenes look at the expanding franchise.
In the 2023 post, Humphries sat down at a table with chicken and sides and then declared, “It’s time, baby!”
Inside Kardashian and Humphries’ whirlwind romance
Lumeimage / MEGA
Long before Humphries quietly reinvented himself as a successful businessman, he found himself at the center of one of Hollywood’s most talked-about celebrity romances.
Kim Kardashian and the 41-year-old started dating in late 2010 after being introduced by mutual friends, and their relationship quickly progressed at a whirlwind pace.
Humphries proposed in May 2011 with Lorraine Schwartz’s 20.5-carat diamond ring, and the couple married three months later in a lavish ceremony in Montecito, California, which was televised on E! special episode “Kim’s Fairy Tale Wedding”.
However, the fairytale ending never materialized. Just 72 days after saying “I do,” Kardashian filed for divorce, citing irreconcilable differences, and later admitted that while on her honeymoon, she realized the marriage was wrong.
Humphreys initially sought to have the contract voided on the grounds of fraud, but after a lengthy legal battle, the pair reached an agreement in 2013.
Humphries addressed long-standing complaints about his marriage to Kim Kardashian
Lumeimage / MEGA
Years after their whirlwind romance ended, Humphries has finally spoken out about the relationship that forever changed his public image, insisting it wasn’t about fame or publicity.
In a candid 2019 essay for Players’ TribuneThe former NBA star admitted he “never wanted to be famous” and struggled with the scrutiny that followed his marriage to a socialite.
“I was definitely naive about how much my life would change,” Humphries wrote, adding that the biggest misconception was the belief that their romance was staged.
“There are definitely a lot of things in this world that are not entirely real. But our real relationship was 100 percent real,” he shared.
Humphries also called the split “brutal,” explaining that the public attention had left him anxious and reluctant to leave the house.
Looking back, he said all he ever wanted was to be famous for basketball, not as “that guy on TV.”
How Kim Kardashian’s Ex Quietly Built a New Empire After Their Infamous Split first appeared on Blast