MY LIFE WITH KHLOÉ WAS A LIFE
The basketballer finally spills all his sleazy secrets
Lamar Odom cheated death 17 months ago. “I’m a walking miracle,” says the former basketball star and ex-husband of Khloé Kardashian, who suffered 12 strokes and two heart attacks after being found comatose at a Las Vegas brothel in 2015.
Cocaine use had already ended his four-year marriage, but Khloé, 32, delayed their divorce to support his recovery.
Today, 37-year-old Lamar – who completed a stint in rehab in January – is working on a documentary series and an autobiography. “I had no choice but to become stronger,” the father of 18-year-old
Destiny and Lamar Jr, 14, tells
Woman’s Day. “I’m here talking to you, so I guess I’m winning!”
Take us back to the start of your marriage. Was Khloé aware of your drug use?
I was hiding it for a while, but two years before we split up, she caught me. She knew I was doing cocaine the whole time after that. It was my drug of choice. I’m not going to say she accepted it because that would be the wrong word. “Tolerated” would be a better word.
Do you regret sharing your marriage on TV?
Businesswise, it opened up opportunities, like the fragrance Khloé and I created. We probably cursed it by calling it Unbreakable. It also opened this gate up with other women. When I became Khloé Kardashian’s man on TV, it made me look more enticing. People who didn’t even know basketball would approach me.
You mean other women?
Yes. If there is one thing I regret when I was married, it was having multiple affairs with different women. I wish I could have kept my d*** in my pants.
How many women were there?
If you’re married, one is too many, right? There were a lot. Once Khloé caught me getting high with this one girl in a sleazy motel. It was like sticking a knife in her heart and twisting it. She didn’t deserve it. She always tried to help me with the drugs. I rejected the help. I was in a very dark place and very confrontational. I wasn’t trying to repair my marriage – my life was all about drugs at that point.
Were you upset when Khloé moved on with basketballer James Harden?
No, I knew it wasn’t going to work at that point. If I was Khloé and my man was f***ing up, then I would replace him. It might have been a little awkward because he was also in the NBA, but I was consumed with my own problems. Same thing with this kid she is with now, Tristan [Thompson]. I’m happy for her.
What do you remember from your night at the Love Ranch brothel?
I was bored and I wanted to have a good time. Looking back, I might have had a drink to get the mood started, but was I drunk or on drugs? Not at all. I remember lying in bed
with two women and then I fell asleep. When I woke up four days later, I was trying to pull the tubes out of my mouth.
Were you surprised Khloé was at your side?
Hell, yeah. It was definitely a moment of relief. She was the first thing I saw. She said, “Hi, Mookah,” which is a name my mother used to call me. She said it to let me know I wasn’t dead. She played a major role in me getting my memory back. I kept thinking, “Am I paralysed and mute forever?” It was scary.
Your first public appearance was at a Kanye West concert in 2016. Were you nervous?
It was overwhelming. It was my first time seeing Bruce Jenner as Caitlyn too. I guess her transition was happening while I was in a coma. When I woke up, someone said something about it and I was
like, “Get the f*** out of here.” But to each his own. It was weird when I saw him. I didn’t know whether to give him a handshake or a hug.
Did you use drugs after your coma?
Every so often – just coke. I’m a rebel. The addiction overrides everything. Drugs are first to an addict. Those urges started getting worse.
When did you realise you needed to go to rehab again?
My daughter gave me the ultimatum. She said, “Pops, you get help or I won’t talk to you.” This last time, I was able to stay the whole 30 days and get the most out of it. I learned about addiction and that it’s a brain disease. It was lifechanging. My kids were really scared their dad wasn’t going to be here. I was honest with them. It was good for them to know it is a disease and one
I may pass back to them.
Are you clean now?
Of course. No drugs. It’s a great feeling. If I would’ve done coke last night, you would have gotten some d***head here, but you’re getting the real Lamar now.
Are you dating again?
I’m looking for someone to take out. Let all the ladies know how to reach me! I’d love to meet someone who is educated, beautiful inside and out, and maybe even has an accent. One thing I learned is how to be a good husband for the next woman. And I want to have more kids. One of my biggest regrets is not having kids with Khloé. I know we would’ve had beautiful children.
Do you have any contact with Khloé?
No, not at all. It’s sad. I love her and I still consider her my family, but I don’t want to hurt her any more. Everything we went through that was negative was my fault. I just want her to be happy. If she married somebody who treated her like I treated her, I would put my hands on him!