Lamar Odom and Khloe Kardashian have opened up about their tumultuous relationship, including infidelity, drug issues, and how Khloe played a role in enabling his behavior.
The couple, married from 2009 to 2016, features in the Netflix documentary “Untold: The Death and Life of Lamar Odom,” where they discuss their marriage and Odom’s near-fatal overdose at a Nevada brothel in 2015.
Odom, now 46, admitted in an interview that he’s “grateful” for his past with Khloe, who is 41. He reflects, “People and places change in your life. I just focus on being the best version of myself every day.”
In the documentary, Odom reflects on his health struggles, saying, “I had 12 strokes and six heart attacks. That’s not average. I was dead for three days, and I survived.”
Here are some key revelations from the documentary:
Odom’s Motivation for Marriage
An old friend, Anthony “Pumpkin” Booker, recalls attending Odom’s televised wedding. He mentioned that Odom believed the Kardashians had connections that could help improve his future.
Odom noted what attracted him to Khloe, stating, “I saw how she lived; that’s how I wanted to live.” His daughter, Destiny, shared that while he loved Khloe, he was also interested in being on a reality show.
Infidelity
The documentary revisits Odom’s infidelity, which they have discussed previously. He questions his actions, saying, “How did you marry this woman on TV and then have an affair?”
Odom recounts a moment from their marriage when his mistress called Khloe while in a panic about his drug use. Khloe recounted how the woman asked for help, worried about Odom’s mental state.
Khloe’s Role as an ‘Enabler’
Khloe openly admits to searching for Odom in questionable places and leaving drug paraphernalia around. She felt a deep sense of responsibility to protect him from his addiction.
“I was an enabler without even realizing it,” she shared. “I thought I was helping him.” Khloe reflected on her struggles, saying, “I was fighting every day to protect him. I couldn’t sleep for years.”
Impact of Drug Use
After Odom was traded to the Dallas Mavericks, his drug use escalated. Khloe described a period where she felt a “dark aura” around them. She also revealed that she suffered overdoses during this chaotic time.
Divorce Intentions
Initially, they signed divorce papers as part of an intervention in July 2015, which Khloe felt pressured to do. She expressed feeling conflicted, saying, “I don’t want a divorce; I was told I had to say this.”
Night of the Overdose
On October 13, 2015, Odom was hospitalized after an overdose. Khloe shared that she had a premonition about his death the night before and was devastated to find out the news the following day.
Family Dynamics
Odom’s father attempted to remove him from life support during his hospitalization, believing he was owed something. Khloe stood her ground, asserting her position as his wife, even though they had signed divorce papers.
Support from Kobe Bryant
Kobe Bryant visited Khloe during this challenging time. He supported her decision to proceed with a risky surgery that ultimately saved Odom’s life.
Hospital Chaos
During Odom’s lengthy hospitalization, Khloe faced challenges from visitations, discovering some were drug dealers trying to cash in. This prompted her to enforce a visitor lockdown.
Confrontation and Aftermath
When Odom was released, Khloe tried to help him rehabilitate. However, she was devastated to find him using drugs again in the house she was renting for him. This led to an emotional confrontation where she felt betrayed.
“I just put my life on hold for you,” she exclaimed. After confronting him, she decided to end their arrangement and told him it was over.
“Untold: The Death and Life of Lamar Odom” is currently streaming on Netflix.
