Lamar Odom Says His Relationship With Khloé Kardashian Keeps Him Relevant (Exclusive)
Although Lamar Odom was a superstar athlete when he married Khloé Kardashian, he admits their relationship elevated his career. Almost overnight, the former Los Angeles Lakers player became a household name and a member of the Keeping Up With the Kardashians cast. Soon, Odom and Kardashian created several businesses together, including a spinoff and a perfume line.
Since their 2016 divorce, the Darkness to Light author continues to remain connected to his ex-wife. However, Odom tells Showbiz Cheat Sheet why he doesn’t mind being associated with the Kardashian-Jenner family.
Lamar Odom explains the ‘crossover effect’ from marrying Khloé Kardashian
In 2009, Odom met Kardashian while at his former teammate, Ron Artest’s party. Not long after their meeting, the couple got married on television that Sept. Their relationship soon made multiple headlines, and fans couldn’t get enough of their spinoff show, Khloé & Lamar.
Odom admits his infidelity and substance misuse affected his marriage to Kardashian. Eventually, the Good American founder filed for divorce. However, they remained married until 2016 so she could help Odom through his 2015 overdose.
Despite his fame as NBA’s Sixth Man of the Year, the athlete says marrying Kardashian made him visible to those who weren’t sports fans.
“I think my relationship to Khloé Kardashian and her family, for one reason or another, probably keeps me relevant to a lot of people in some ways,” Odom tells Showbiz Cheat Sheet. “Because there were a lot of people, there was like a crossover effect for me when I was able to, you know, enter their family. I was already a Laker I’m really popular, but the effect was tremendous because there’s a large number of people that don’t care about the Lakers, but they care about the Kardashians, they’re like royalty, you know, so what they did for me and my career like, I guess I could say I’m grateful for them accepted me into their family and for giving me a stamp of notoriety.”
Lamar Odom has no ‘ill will’ toward Khloé Kardashian
Since their 2016 divorce, Odom credits Kardashian and her family for saving his life. In addition to his ex aiding him during his recovery, he said the clan took him to rehab once.
Although they’re no longer together, Odom says he’s grateful for Kardashian and the famous bunch.
“You can’t run from your past; I am who I am and the people that came into my life; they were either there for a reason, a season, or a lifetime,” he says. “And as long as there’s not any hate, no ill will, I’m solid with that. But if there is, I would like to say I’m sorry and hopefully make it up one day.”
Odom could mention the Kar-Jenners in his second memoir
In 2019, Odom released his memoir, Darkness to Light. The book reveals details about his childhood in Queens, New York, losing his son, Jayden Odom, to Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) and cocaine addiction.
During the memoir, Odom also shares many moments from his time with Kardashian and the rest of the Kar-Jenners. When asked about a second book, Odom said he’s deciding what his next bestseller will be. However, he noted Kardashian could make an appearance in the book “as it comes naturally.”
For now, Odom’s latest projects include a documentary, Lamar Odom: Reborn. He also recently spoke about his recovery in an episode of Addiction Talk.
American Addiction Centers offer help for those struggling with addiction. You can call their support line at 866-244-1070.
How to get help: In the U.S., contact the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration helpline at 1-800-662-4357.
