Travis Barker & Shanna Moakler: Reality TV, Infidelity Emails, and a Near-Fatal Plane Crash
Their marriage was a reality show, their divorce was a nightmare, and then he survived a plane crash that killed four people
Key Facts
What Happened
Blink-182 drummer Travis Barker married former Miss USA Shanna Moakler in 2004. They starred in the MTV reality show 'Meet the Barkers' for two seasons (2005–2006), documenting their family life with children Landon, Alabama, and Moakler's daughter Atiana from a previous relationship with Oscar De La Hoya. The show gave audiences an intimate look at their marriage — which made the subsequent destruction of that marriage equally public.
The couple split in 2006 after two years of marriage, but continued an on-again, off-again relationship for two more years. In September 2008, Travis Barker was involved in a catastrophic plane crash in Columbia, South Carolina. The Learjet overran the runway and burst into flames. Two pilots and two passengers — Barker's personal assistant and security guard — were killed. Barker suffered burns over 65% of his body and required 27 surgeries and multiple skin grafts. He spent months in the hospital.
While Barker was recovering, Moakler found evidence of his infidelity. She discovered emails on his laptop from approximately 13 different women he had been involved with before the crash. The divorce was finalized in 2008 with shared custody of Landon and Alabama. Moakler later alleged that Barker had an affair with Kim Kardashian during their marriage — a claim Barker denied in his 2015 memoir 'Can I Say.'
The post-divorce relationship remained contentious for years, especially after Barker began dating and eventually married Kourtney Kardashian in 2022. Moakler publicly criticized the relationship and accused Barker of alienating their children. The case shows how reality TV can amplify marital problems, how catastrophic life events don't necessarily repair broken relationships, and how a messy divorce can continue to generate conflict for decades when children and new relationships are involved.
Legal Breakdown: Celebrity Divorce
Reality TV and Marital Privacy
Appearing on a reality show creates a permanent public record of your marriage. Footage can be subpoenaed and used in divorce proceedings. Arguments, lifestyle choices, and parenting moments captured on camera become evidence. Multiple reality TV couples have seen their on-screen behavior cited in custody and divorce proceedings.
Discovery of Evidence During Medical Crisis
Moakler discovered Barker's infidelity while he was hospitalized after the plane crash. Evidence of infidelity — emails, texts, financial records — found during a marriage is generally admissible in divorce proceedings. However, how the evidence was obtained matters: in some states, accessing a spouse's devices without permission can raise legal issues.
Long-Term Co-Parenting Conflict
The Barker-Moakler conflict extended well beyond the divorce, reignited by Barker's relationship with Kourtney Kardashian. Courts can intervene when post-divorce conflict harms children, potentially modifying custody or ordering co-parenting counseling. Sustained hostility between co-parents is one of the strongest predictors of negative outcomes for children of divorce.
What This Means for Your Divorce
- →Think carefully before appearing on reality television during your marriage. Every moment filmed becomes a potential exhibit in divorce court.
- →A near-death experience rarely saves a broken marriage. If the relationship was toxic before the crisis, the crisis typically makes it worse.
- →When your ex moves on to a new relationship, your children's wellbeing — not your feelings about the new partner — should guide your response.
- →Post-divorce conflict harms children more than the divorce itself. If you can't co-parent civilly, get a family therapist or a parenting coordinator before it escalates.
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This article is based on publicly available court records, news reports, and legal analysis. It is provided for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. No attorney-client relationship is created by reading this content.
Divorce laws vary by jurisdiction. Always consult a licensed attorney in your area before making legal decisions.