Strange Things About Karlie Kloss And Joshua Kushner's Relationship
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In many ways, supermodel Karlie Kloss and entrepreneur and venture capitalist Joshua Kushner's relationship looks totally idyllic to outsiders. From gorgeous vacations, to impressive business ventures, the couple's Instagram posts show an enviable and extremely busy lifestyle. But apparently their relationship has been faced with its fair share of drama, particularly as Kushner's brother is married to Ivanka Trump and is a senior advisor to President Donald Trump.
Kloss and Kushner were first spotted together at the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show in 2012, and have been linked ever since then. Refinery29 notes that their first public engagement together was at the Robin Hood Foundation Gala in New York in May 2013. In February 2014, Kloss opened up about her relationship in an interview with Metro.us, adorably explaining, "I was definitely not planning on falling in love [with Kushner]. But I think that's the thing about it, you can't anticipate or plan it." And despite being photographed having what seemed like a very public argument in June 2016, per the Daily Mail, the couple made amends, and have since become husband and wife.
Here are all of the strange things about Kloss and Kushner's relationship that you need to know.
Kloss has feelings about the Kushner connection
The surname Kushner carries major connotations. With both Jared Kushner and his wife Ivanka Trump serving as unpaid advisors to President Trump, it's understandable that questions would be asked about Kloss' politics. But Kloss has continually made it clear that any issues caused by her fiancé's connection to the White House would not stand in the way of her relationship.
In September 2018, Kloss told Vogue, "At the end of the day, I've had to make decisions based on my own moral compass — forget what the public says, forget social media." She continued, "I've chosen to be with the man I love despite the complications. It's frustrating, to be honest, that the spotlight is always shifted away from my career toward my relationship. I don't think the same happens in conversations with men."
Rather than allowing gossip and political connections to impact upon her relationship with Kushner, Kloss has chosen to move forward, and steer the conversation back to her many work projects. Meanwhile, Jared Kushner and Ivanka Trump's relationship is regularly placed under the microscope, especially given their official duties as policy advisors to the president.
Ivanka Trump calls Karlie Kloss her sister
The Kushner brothers appear to be close, and their wives also seem to socialize with one another. It's worth noting that Ivanka Trump used to move in many of the same circles as Karlie Kloss. Prior to working on her father's presidential campaign, Trump ran her own fashion brand, but it was announced in July 2018 that the Ivanka Trump label was closing down now that the boss worked in the White House. As a Victoria's Secret and high-fashion runway model, Kloss has wide-reaching connections in the fashion world. Signaling their close friendship, in a video posted on Twitter, Trump congratulated Kloss on her impressive new role on Project Runway. In the video, Trump stood in front of her TV as Kloss appeared onscreen and exclaimed, "Karlie it's happening!" before simply saying, "Amazing!" and giving a thumbs up seal of approval.
And according to People, when Kloss' engagement to Kushner was announced, Trump commented on the Instagram post, "So, so happy for you and Joshua! I feel blessed to have you as a sister (!!!) Karlie and look forward to the decades of happy memories we will create together as a family!" Evening Standard additionally notes that Kloss and Trump have "been friends since at least 2012," and share several mutual friends such as Russian businesswoman Dasha Zhukova and Rupert Murdoch's ex-wife Wendi Deng.
Thanksgiving 2016 with The Trumps was probably tense
While Jared Kushner is a senior advisor to the president, his brother's politics couldn't be more different. In an interview with Forbes in 2017, Joshua Kushner revealed, "It is no secret that liberal values have guided my life and that I have supported political leaders that share similar values." Rather than leaning towards his brother's Republican political aspirations, Karlie Kloss' husband chose a different route. Regardless, he remains flexible telling Forbes, "But neither political party has a monopoly on the truth or on constructive ideas for our country. It's important to be open minded and learn from differing opinions."
Meanwhile, Karlie has been very vocal about her own political allegiances. In March 2018, Joshua shared a photo of her on Instagram attending March for Our Lives in Washington, D.C. to petition for stronger gun control. Karlie has also made reference to her political beliefs on Instagram, and in November 2016 she encouraged people to vote for Hillary Clinton. Kloss wrote, "One of the greatest privileges we have as Americans is a voice. I'm proud to say I did my part, now it's your turn. #ImWithHer."
But Karlie and Joshua seem to be political outsiders on both sides of the family, at least, according to the Daily Mail, which reported that "Joshua and Jared's parents were Democratic donors until 2016," suggesting that Trump's win changed their political allegiances, at least publicly.
Ashton Kutcher considers them family
According to W magazine, Ashton Kutcher commented on a behind-the-scenes photo from Karlie Kloss and Joshua Kushner's wedding, simply writing, "Love you brother." The outlet also noted that Kutcher and his wife, Mila Kunis, are allegedly close to Kushner and Kloss, as they are "all apparently investors in the same coconut-oil-based beauty brand." In October 2018, Us Weekly reported that Kutcher and Kunis were in attendance at Kushner and Kloss' nuptials.
The Mercury News reported that Joshua Kushner attended Kutcher's 40th birthday party. Kutcher later revealed that the party had been held at the Borderline Bar & Grill in Thousand Oaks where, in November 2018, a gunman opened fire killing 12 people. The actor tweeted, "My wife threw me a birthday party this year at the Borderline. Only reason we are alive is the shooter chose a different night. My heart goes out to the victims." He also used his connection to the Kushners to discuss gun reform on Twitter, addressing Ivanka Trump directly to say, "your brother in law was at that birthday party. He could have just as easily been a victim. You go to synagogues you could be a victim! Talk to your dad! Plead with your dad! Let this be your legacy! Gun Reform now!"
Kloss is super secretive about her relationship
In an interview with Porter in April 2018, Karlie Kloss revealed why she keeps her private life private. The Victoria's Secret model explained, "I know in my life what really matters to me. I'm not trying to hide that from the world; I just really like having a more private, private life. I've got nothing to hide, though!" But despite remaining extremely private about their relationship, the couple isn't against sharing special details with their fans via social media.
For instance, on June 8, 2016, Kloss revealed on Instagram that she'd met Joshua Kushner four years previously. She wrote, "four years ago today I met my best friend ... I love you more everyday." This confirmed that the couple had started dating in 2012 — Us Weekly reported in November 2012 that Kloss had brought Kushner as her date to a Victoria's Secret Fashion Show After-Party, marking the first time they were spotted together. A source explained at the time that Kushner "seemed nervous and shy around everyone but handled it well. Karlie is stunning and the sweetest girl ever. She stuck close to him." Although they've continued to keep their love life low-key since then, the semi-regular social media updates about their relationship prove that they're a seriously adorable, if secretive, couple.
Kushner isn't into fashion at all
While Karlie Kloss is an internationally successful model, her husband apparently doesn't share the same passion for clothes. In March 2013, Kloss revealed to People, that Joshua Kushner is "so not in fashion." In fact, she even said that it's "really refreshing to leave all the fashion shows and shoots and chaos totally behind." Basically, it sounds as though Kloss' husband gives her the chance to step away from the busy world of fashion and live a quieter life, and she appreciates that fact.
Her husband's seeming indifference to the fashion world can't detract from Kloss' major successes in the industry. The Business of Fashion notes that 2008 was Kloss' "breakout year" in modeling as she "walked in 31 shows in New York Fashion Week alone," which included opening for Carolina Herrera and closing for Marc Jacobs. In November 2012, at which point Kloss was rumored to be dating Kushner, she told Vogue, "I am very lucky to be surrounded and guided by an incredible support team comprised of my family and agents." Even if her husband isn't that into fashion, he was likely a part of that support team, meaning he obviously supports Kloss' continually growing career as a model.
Nothing screams romance like a weird group vacation
Karlie Kloss and Joshua Kushner announced their engagement on Instagram in July 2018. Sharing the sweet news, Kloss wrote, "I love you more than I have words to express. Joshua, you're my best friend and my soulmate. I can't wait for forever together. Yes a million times over." And according to the Daily Mail, in the days prior to the engagement announcement, Kloss and Kushner were on a group vacation with the likes of musician Paul McCartney, fashion designer and Meghan Markle's close friend Misha Nonoo, and business tycoon David Geffen.
The Daily Mail reports that Geffen invited the eclectic group of guests on board his "$200 million yacht Rising Sun." Kloss used a photo taken at sea, presumably during the trip, to reveal the engagement to the world. But according to a source who spoke with People, Kushner "proposed a few weeks [prior to the yacht trip] during a romantic weekend together in upstate New York." Obviously, going on a group vacation with a smorgasbord of celebrity guests was the perfect way to celebrate the happy news.
The Kushners allegedly gave Kloss a super mean nickname
It might be hard to believe, but apparently not everyone is a huge fan of Karlie Kloss. According to the book Kushner, Inc.: Greed. Ambition. Corruption. The Extraordinary Story of Jared Kushner and Ivanka Trump (via Town & Country), Joshua Kushner's family had a difficult time accepting his then-girlfriend. Per Vicky Ward's book, Kushner's entire family apparently "spoke horribly" about Kloss, even giving her the shady nickname "the lingerie model." According to the book, Kushner "was not allowed to bring Kloss to holiday family gatherings. For six years they refused to even meet her."
According to Ward, much of the tension became public on the night of Donald Trump's inauguration in January 2017. Apparently the Kushner patriarch, Charles, "turned nasty" regarding his son's relationship, even telling him (via Ward's source), "Joshua, we expect you to do the right thing. The person you are with is not the right person." Allegedly, Kloss' future husband "absorbed his father's abuse in silence," and didn't let it affect his burgeoning relationship. Of course, Kloss is far more than just a "lingerie model." She also runs an educational bootcamp that encourages young women in the field of software coding, called Kode With Klossy. At one point in her life, Kloss even considered becoming a doctor (per ABC News).
Despite all the drama, Kloss and Kushner appear to be stronger than ever and are on solid ground, as of this writing.