Let’s be real for a second. We’ve all been there—scrolling through Instagram late at night, seeing a photo of two people who look insanely good together, and immediately deciding they’re soulmates. That’s basically what happened when the world saw Khloe Kardashian and Michele Morrone together.
It was Milan Fashion Week, 2022. The air was thick with espresso and high-end leather. Then, out of nowhere, a photo drops that makes the internet collectively lose its mind.
The image showed the Italian heartthrob from Netflix’s 365 Days with his arm wrapped tightly around Khloe’s waist. He was leaning in, looking like he was whispering something devastatingly charming. Khloe, dressed in a shimmering Dolce & Gabbana bodysuit, looked, well, like a woman who was finally being treated like a queen after the absolute gauntlet that was her relationship with Tristan Thompson.
The fans went feral. People were literally tweeting, "Massimo, please kidnap her!"
The Milan Moment That Sparked a Million Tweets
Honestly, the chemistry in that one photo was louder than a Kardashian Christmas party. It wasn't just the photo, though. Later that night, videos surfaced of the two of them at the D&G afterparty. They were talking closely. They were dancing. In the world of celebrity gossip, that’s basically a marriage proposal.
You’ve got to remember the context here. Khloe had just gone through a public nightmare. The news of Tristan fathering a child with Maralee Nichols had just broken while Khloe was expecting her second child via surrogate. She was "in the trenches," as fans say. So, seeing her with a tall, brooding Italian actor felt like the ultimate "revenge" plot twist.
But was it actually a romance?
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What Most People Get Wrong About the "Date"
Here is the thing: it wasn't a date. I know, it’s a buzzkill.
While the internet was busy picking out wedding china for them, Michele’s representatives were already drafting the "just friends" memo. His team told People and TMZ that the two had never even met before that night. Basically, the brand (Dolce & Gabbana) asked them to take a photo together.
They obliged. That’s it.
"Michele said she was very nice, and that was the extent of it," his rep stated. Talk about a cold bucket of water on a very hot fire.
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Khloe’s Take on the Italian Stallion
Even though the "dating" part was a bust, Khloe wasn't exactly blind. In an episode of The Kardashians, she actually talked about the encounter. She admitted he was "super hot" and "like a man."
She even told Kris Jenner about the photo-op, mentioning how Michele asked if he could put his hand on her waist. Her response? "I was like, 'That is so nice that you asked me!'" She clearly enjoyed the attention, and honestly, who could blame her?
After years of "baby mama" drama and public infidelities, a polite, gorgeous Italian man asking for permission to touch your waist is a top-tier ego boost.
The Reality of the "Kardashian Curse" vs. Italian Charm
People love to talk about the "Kardashian Curse," but in this case, it was more like the "PR Blessing." Kim Kardashian was actually the one behind the scenes trying to set them up. She wanted Khloe to get her "groove back" in Italy.
Despite Kim’s best efforts as a matchmaker, the spark didn't turn into a flame. Sources close to Khloe confirmed she had "no plans to see him again" after the trip.
Why We Still Talk About Them in 2026
It’s been a few years now, and people still bring it up. Why? Because it represented a turning point for Khloe’s public image. It was the first time in a long time she was seen as a "vibe" rather than a victim.
Michele Morrone, for his part, has stayed busy with his acting and music career. He’s been linked to various people, but he never did become a regular fixture at the Calabasas dinner table.
Actionable Takeaways from the Khloe and Michele Saga
If we can learn anything from this viral blip in celebrity history, it's these three things:
- Don't believe every "cosy" photo. In the world of high fashion, photos are often staged for the brand. A hand on a waist is sometimes just a directive from a photographer.
- Timing is everything. The reason this rumor blew up so big was that fans were desperate for Khloe to have a "win." The public's desire for a narrative can often override the actual facts.
- Healing isn't a straight line. Khloe used that trip to Milan to start feeling like herself again. Even if it didn't lead to a boyfriend, it led to her feeling "hot and muscular" adjacent, which is a win in its own right.
While Khloe Kardashian and Michele Morrone never became "Khle-michele" (okay, the couple name needs work), they gave us one of the most iconic "what if" moments in reality TV history. Sometimes, a single night in Milan is exactly what the soul—and the Instagram feed—needs.
To stay updated on the actual dating lives of your favorite celebs, always look for the representative's official statements rather than just reading into the body language of a single paparazzi snap.