LAMAR TALKS KARDASHIANS

Lamar opens up about his complicated relationship with his famous former in-laws

Lamar Odom opens up to In Touch about his former in-laws.

PART OF THE FAMILY

“My relationship with Khloé and the Kardashians taught me a lot,” says Lamar (with, from left: Kendall, Kim, Kylie, Khloé and Kourtney at the 2010 Teen Choice Awards). “I learned how to deal with all different kinds of people, and how to be more spontaneous.”

In October 2015, Lamar Odom was found unconscious at a brothel in Nevada; he was rushed to the hospital, where he suffered 12 strokes and two heart attacks, was put on life support and remained in a coma for four days. Cocaine and opiates had been found in his system. When he woke up, his estranged wife, Khloé Kardashian, was by his side. Four months later, as the former Los Angeles Lakers player recovered, undergoing speech and physical therapies, the harrowing ordeal played out on Season 11 of Keeping Up With the Kardashians. Critics were quick to slam the show for sensationalizing the story, but Lamar, 37, tells In Touch he harbors no ill will for his former wife and in-laws. “Anything that’s been on the show is something I knew was going to be shown, and I was OK with it,” says the dad to Destiny, 18, and Lamar Odom Jr., 16, from his relationship with ex-girlfriend Liza Morales. “I knew exactly what I was getting into with them; I don’t think I’ve been exploited.” Lamar, who says he’s been clean and sober since a 30-day rehab stint going into this year, talked to In Touch at Sista Mary’s Soul Food ( he’s part owner) in Glendale, Calif., about reality television, where he and Khloé stand now and how he’s feeling nearly two years after defying death.

Some people think you’re a victim of the “Kardashian machine.” You don’t agree? LO: No. Me and Khloé were always on the same page. We were communicating on a high level.

She recently said your reality show, Khloé & Lamar, was your idea. True? LO: I guess you could say she’s right. It was my idea. I wanted to do the show; I thought it would be fun.

You’ve admitted to being unfaithful during your marriage. Are you two still on good terms? LO: I just texted her yesterday. I don’t think she hates me even though she has every reason to. I definitely don’t hate her.

You’re writing a memoir. Tell us about it…. LO: It’s going good. I’m moving at a slow pace with it. But it’s coming along.

Is there anything you’re worried about saying, something that might offend the Kardashians? LO: No! I’m a big boy. Why would I be worried? They have nothing to worry about either. I’m not going to rip them apart.

Would you ever do another reality show? LO: Absolutely. If someone came to me with an opportunity, I would do it.

What would you want the focus to be? LO: Me traveling a lot. Meeting people, making a spectacle with my personality.

How are you feeling physically? LO: I feel really good. All my doctors say I am a living miracle. When I woke up from the coma I couldn’t walk or talk. I don’t know how I’ve been able to heal like this. I guess it just wasn’t my time. ◼