A-List Star Spotted Laughing With Her Rumored Actor Boyfriend Hours After Her Family Announced a Heartbreaking Loss — Photos

The model and the "Frankenstein" star were photographed sharing affectionate moments in Malibu, but the timing of the newly released images soon became the real story.

Newly released photos of Kendall Jenner and Jacob Elordi are drawing attention — not only because they captured another affectionate outing between the rumored couple, but because of when they surfaced.

On July 16, 2026, celebrity gossip account DeuxMoi shared photos on Instagram showing Kendall and Jacob spending time outdoors at a Malibu property while dressed in coordinating light-colored outfits.

Several images captured Jacob wrapping his arms around Kendall as she held a small dog. Both appeared relaxed, with Kendall smiling and laughing during parts of the outing.

Other photos showed the pair taking turns interacting with the dog, with Jacob crouching beside the pet while Jenner looked on.

The sequence also included quieter moments. Kendall continued carrying the dog while Jacob briefly stood nearby with his hands resting on his head before the two were photographed embracing again.

The Question About the Photos That Quickly Took Over Online

As the images spread, many social media users became less interested in the rumored romance than in one lingering question: When were the photos taken?

On Instagram, one user wrote, "She looks so happy considering her grandma just die." Another commenter added, "Grandma just died and she's frolicking." Not everyone focused on the timing. A third joked, "Why do they dress alike? 😂"

The discussion continued on X. One user posted, "Kendall u literally lost ur grandma few hrs ago perhaps??? Shouldnt she be with the family!! Weird to see such pictures while the family is going through a loss.. [sic]"

Another questioned whether the images had been taken earlier, "They seem to always dress alike now. Are they at Kim's house in Malibu?" A separate X user also wondered about the timeline, posting, "When is it from? Why, did their grandma die today for them to be walking around this happy?"

Kris Jenner's Emotional Tribute Explained Why the Timing Sparked Debate

The questions surrounding the photos were fueled by a heartbreaking announcement from Kendall's mother, Kris Jenner, on Instagram.

In a lengthy tribute shared on July 16, Kris revealed that her mother, Mary Jo "MJ" Campbell, had died, describing her as "the heart of our family."

Reflecting on the role her mother played throughout her life, Kris wrote, "She taught me everything that truly matters… to love your family fiercely, to be kind, to show up for the people you love, and to never take a single moment together for granted."

Kris explained that her mother's guidance shaped the family's outlook on life, emphasizing the importance of putting family first, loving unconditionally, finding joy in everyday moments, and meeting life's challenges with resilience and faith.

Looking back on their relationship, Kris shared how deeply she would feel her mother's absence, writing, "I will miss our daily talks, your smile, your laughter… Our hearts are broken, but we find comfort knowing that love like yours never truly leaves us."

She closed the tribute by thanking her mother for a lifetime of love and sacrifice, writing, "My heart is broken into a million pieces… thank you for giving me the greatest childhood and oh what a beautiful blessed life… I love you forever Mommy. Thank you for giving us everything."

Kim Kardashian Responds After Instagram Post Draws Criticism

The online discussion also extended to Kim Kardashian after she shared a series of photos from a recent lake outing on Instagram.

Several social media users questioned the timing of the post, with one writing, "Wait. Your grandma died and you post this?" Another commented, "Didn't MJ just die and you posting this? WOW," while a third added, "Didn't your grandmama just pass? This couldn't wait to the weekend."

Kim later addressed the criticism in the comments, explaining, "This post was scheduled a few days ago before we lost MJ, so its timing came right alongside her passing." She added that she had "been by my mom and grandma's side this past week" and that her "heart is completely with my family right now."

She concluded by saying, "We love and miss her so deeply, and in the days ahead, we'll be focusing on celebrating her beautiful life."

The Malibu Sighting Came as Kendall and Jacob's Relationship Continued to Grow

According to People, a source said Kendall is "very into" the actor and that their relationship feels effortless despite still being relatively new.

The insider added that Kendall enjoys Jacob's laid-back personality and believes their energies naturally complement each other. The source also said the Kardashian-Jenner family has welcomed Jacob and is happy to see Kendall Jenner enjoying the relationship.

The same publication reported that romance rumors first emerged after the pair were spotted talking at the Vanity Fair Oscar Party in March. They later fueled speculation during Coachella weekend before continuing to make low-key public appearances together, including a recent outing with Kylie Jenner and Timothée Chalamet.

While the timing of the Malibu photos continued to fuel debate online, Kendall herself has also faced years of intense public scrutiny over other aspects of her personal life. In a separate development earlier this year, she directly addressed one of the longest-running rumors surrounding her.

In January 2026, during an episode of Owen Thiele's In Your Dreams podcast, Kendall did not shy away when the conversation turned to the rumors that had followed her for much of her career. Instead, she addressed them head-on, unpacking not only the speculation itself but also the tone and intent behind it.

A Rumor That Won't Go Away

"There's the whole side of the internet that thinks I'm a lesbian," Kendall said during the discussion, which aired Friday. The model and reality TV star questioned why the rumor has endured, admitting she does not fully understand its origin.

She added that while some aspects feel surreal, what honestly bothers her is the cruelty that often accompanies the speculation. She said:

"You want to know what really bothers me? [It's] how mean people are about it. Like it's not with a welcoming arm like, 'Hey, like if you were like, Yes, come join.' Like, it's not kind. It's like very mean. It's very like 'what the [expletive] are you doing?'"

Speaking on Coming Out and Choice

The 30-year-old model and media personality emphasized that the issue is not about being mistaken for something she finds offensive but about the way conversations around sexuality are often framed online.

"I understand that coming out is not an easy thing for anybody," she said. "And I'm not saying that that's an easy thing, but knowing I can speak for myself here and knowing myself like I think at this point in my life, I'd be out if I was."

She continued, making clear that secrecy has never aligned with how she lives her life, "Knowing me and knowing how I would want to live my life […] I'd have no problem being that."

Pushing Back on Harmful Narratives

During the exchange, Kendall also addressed claims she has seen suggesting that being gay would somehow hurt her career, a notion she flatly rejected.

"I've seen like really [expletive] up things that are like it's bad for business," she said. "And I'm like, 'what, how?' I don't understand it. So, that's why I was like 'What is it?'"

She described frustration with the idea that she is "hiding" something from the public, saying such narratives are not only false but damaging. That sentiment echoes comments she made years earlier in a 2018 interview with Vogue, where she addressed similar speculation directly.

"I'm not gay. I have literally nothing to hide…. I would never hide something like that," Kendall said at the time, explaining that rumors often stem from how private she is compared to her sisters. She continued, "I think it's because I'm not like all my other sisters, who are like, 'Here's me and my boyfriend!'"

"I don't think I have a bisexual or gay bone in my body, but I don't know! Who knows?! I'm all down for experience — not against it whatsoever — but I've never been there before," she added.

At the time, she also confirmed that she was dating Basketball player, Blake Griffin. "I'm happy," she admitted. "He's very nice. I have someone being very nice to me."

Where She Stands Today

Kendall ultimately made her position clear, while still allowing room for personal growth and experience. "All's to say, as of today, I am not," she said, before adding, "I don't think I will be, but I'm not like closing doors to like experiences in life."

"I promise promise that like if I was I think you probably would know for real," she stated.

Speculation about Kendall's sexuality has circulated online for years, often tied to her private dating life and her reputation as a self-described tomboy.

The Tomboy Narrative Behind the Speculation

Speculation about Kendall's sexuality has circulated online for years, often tied to her private dating life and her long-standing reputation as a tomboy, something she has openly acknowledged.

In a 2017 interview with Harper's Bazaar, Kendall reflected on growing up differently from her famously glamorous sisters. "I was a huge tomboy," she said. "I had a phase where I wore boys' clothes. I was always hanging out with guys. I've always connected with guys more."

She also described feeling distinct within her family, a contrast made more pronounced by having Kourtney, Kim, and Khloé Kardashian as her older sisters, whose ultra-glam, girly personas have long defined the family’s public image.

"I've always been the different one," teh socialite said. "I mean, I'm a girl and I like being a girl, but I've just never been into it like they have. I think I get that from my dad. I'd say I'm more of a Jenner than a Kardashian."

The star, best known for "Keeping Up With the Kardashians" and Hulu's "The Kardashians," has historically kept romantic relationships out of the spotlight, a choice she has repeatedly said fuels public curiosity.

This time, however, Kendall chose clarity over silence, addressing the rumors directly while calling out the hostility that often surrounds conversations about identity. As she made clear, the problem has never been who people think she is, but how they choose to say it.