How Kristin Cavallari's Inner Circle Really Feels About Her 13-Year Age Gap With Boyfriend Mark Estes

Kristin Cavallari is coming clean about another aspect of her romance with Mark Estes.

While the Laguna Beach star's romance with the Montana Boyz member, 24, has raised eyebrows online, she recently shared insight into how her loved ones reacted to their 13-year age gap.

"I understand what it looks like from the outside world of, like, yeah, I'm dating a 24-year-old, but no one in my life has been like, 'This is weird,'" Kristin told Bustle in an interview published July 25. "Everyone's like, 'I get it. It makes sense.'" 

And the 37-year-old—who shares kids Camden, 11; Jaxon, 10; and Saylor, 8, with ex-husband Jay Cutler—knows exactly what she wants in her new relationship and is happy with where they are.

"I own my own house," she explained. "I have kids. I don't need a man for anything other than just pure happiness. Emotionally, he's able to step up to the plate, and he's shown up for me more than anyone else I've ever dated."

So, when it comes to chatter about her relationship with the TikToker, which she debuted in March, Kristin isn't bothered.

"I've had 20 years of people b--ching about something I'm doing," she reflected. "I feel like my whole career has led me to this moment. This is the first time in my life I truly have not given a sh*t what anybody thinks. I think if people are upset about it, that has nothing to do with me."

"You don't know me," The Hills alum continued. "My life doesn't affect you in the slightest. If that's triggering for someone, they need to take a look in the mirror and figure out why."

Mark has even been integrated into Kristin’s friend group after she introduced him to her Laguna Beach costars Jason Wahler, Jessica Smith Evans, Alex Murrel Johnson and Lauren "Alex" Hooser in May.

She even shared a photo of the entire group and captioned the May Instagram post, “When worlds collide.”

As for Mark? Well, he’s on cloud nine when it comes to their relationship.

"She makes happy, I make her happy," he told E! News in March. "That's what's important, so I'm not too worried about the critics, honestly."

Now, keep reading to see more of Kristin and Mark’s sweetest moments.

Kristin Cavallari debuted her romance with Mark Estes in February 2024, captioning this photo of the couple, "He makes me happy."

"Photo dump of my girl and I," Mark wrote on Instagram March 2024.

Among the snaps included a picture of the pair sharing a rooftop kiss.

The Hills alum got cozy with her man in the series of photos.

Mark wrapped his arms around the Kristin during a night out on the town.

Kristin captioned this cozy-looking shot in March 2024: "Him."

The couple hit up the Stagecoach Festival in California April 2024, with Kristin captioning a photo of herself kissing Mark on Instagram, "Cowboy take me away."

The Very Cavallari star visited Mark's native Montana in May 2024.

Kristin and Mark enjoyed a staycation at Tennessee's Bolt Farm Treehouse in early June 2024.

In late June 2024, the couple took a vacation to the Bahamas—where they were joined by Kristin's Camden, Jaxon and Saylor, who she shares with ex-husband Jay Cutler.

Kristin captioned photos of the tropical getaway, "Bahamas with my favorite people."