In a new documentary, Khloé reveals her role in enabling Lamar's addiction and her unexpected feelings about their divorce.
Category: Arts & Culture
Khloé Kardashian is candidly revisiting one of the most tumultuous periods of her life in the new Netflix documentary, Untold: The Death and Life of Lamar Odom. The reality television star and entrepreneur opens up about her complex relationship with her ex-husband, former NBA star Lamar Odom, shedding light on the struggles they faced together, including addiction, secrecy, and heartbreak.
In the documentary, Kardashian reflects on her role during Odom's battle with substance use, admitting that she was an enabler without realizing it. "I was such an enabler without knowing I was an enabler," she reveals, emphasizing the lengths she went to protect Odom’s public image. This included cleaning hotel rooms of drug paraphernalia and keeping secrets that took a toll on her mental health. "I was fighting every single day either to protect him, to not let him get caught," she says, illustrating the immense pressure she felt.
The couple, who were married from 2009 until 2016, faced their most challenging moments behind closed doors. Odom suffered a near-fatal overdose in 2015, an event that dramatically altered the course of their lives. In the documentary, he recounts the harrowing experience of his overdose, which left him in a coma for three days and resulted in multiple strokes and heart attacks. The emotional weight of those events is felt deeply by both Kardashian and Odom as they revisit their past.
One of the documentary's most poignant moments occurs when Kardashian discusses the intervention that led to her decision to divorce Odom. She explains that she was advised to threaten divorce if he didn’t agree to enter rehab. "I was advised to do this intervention. And, the interventionist said, ‘you’re gonna go in there and you’re gonna tell him you need to go to rehab, and if you don’t stay for a three-month programme, you’re going to say you’re getting a divorce,'" Kardashian explains. This moment was meant to serve as a wake-up call for Odom, but it had the opposite effect. When she delivered the ultimatum, he immediately agreed to the divorce, leaving Kardashian stunned. "I was like looking around, like wait, wait, I don’t want the divorce, you guys told me I have to say this," she recalls.
The timeline of their relationship is equally dramatic. Kardashian first filed for divorce in December 2013, but paused the proceedings after Odom's overdose in 2015, choosing instead to support his recovery. The divorce was eventually finalized in December 2016. Odom reflects on the moment he signed the divorce papers as a turning point that led him into a downward spiral. "I signed the divorce papers, and so right when I signed the divorce papers, I’m like I’m gonna get it in, the Bunny Ranch, I always used to see on TV, but I don’t have any coke to take," he shares, illustrating the reckless decisions that followed.
In the aftermath of their separation, Kardashian has expressed that she never truly wanted the marriage to end. During a reunion on the reality show The Kardashians, she stated, "I wouldn’t change marrying Odom. It was one of the best experiences of my life and I loved that," adding that it was the "most special, magical time of my life, the most purest love I’ve ever had." This sentiment highlights the disparity in their experiences; for Kardashian, the threat of divorce was a desperate attempt to save her husband, whereas for Odom, it marked the beginning of a tragic downward spiral.
As they navigate their shared history, both Kardashian and Odom acknowledge the deep emotional scars left by their relationship. Kardashian’s reflections reveal a young woman grappling with the weight of responsibility for her partner’s well-being, a role that she admits took a severe toll on her own mental health. "I just kept all these secrets, and feeling horrible about myself," she confesses, shedding light on the personal cost of her attempts to protect Odom.
Today, both have moved on in their respective lives and careers. Kardashian has built a substantial empire, with an estimated net worth of $80 million, largely stemming from her stake in the fashion brand Good American and her various business ventures. In comparison, Odom's net worth stands at approximately $20 million, significantly impacted by medical expenses and personal challenges following his overdose.
As they each continue to heal from their past, the documentary serves as both a cathartic reflection and a cautionary tale about the dangers of addiction and the complex dynamics of love and support. With their stories laid bare, Kardashian and Odom hope to inspire others facing similar struggles, demonstrating that even in the darkest moments, there is a path to recovery and redemption.
In the end, the documentary revisits the highs and lows of their relationship and serves as a reminder of the power of honesty and vulnerability in the face of adversity. As Kardashian poignantly states, the experience taught her valuable lessons about love, responsibility, and the importance of seeking help.
As the documentary continues to resonate with audiences, it highlights the importance of addressing addiction and mental health openly, fostering a dialogue that could potentially help others in similar situations. The release of Untold: The Death and Life of Lamar Odom marks a new chapter in both their lives, one where they can share their experiences and perhaps find closure in the process.