Kim Kardashian and Memphian Alice Johnson appear on ‘TODAY’ Show
Kim Kardashian told “TODAY” show host Hoda Kotb in an interview shown Thursday morning that her mission to free Memphian Alice Johnson from prison has “fulfilled my heart.”
Kardashian flew to Memphis Wednesday to meet Johnson for the first time since she was released from prison after 21 years.
The meeting between the two women was shot by “TODAY” at Johnson’s family’s home in Southaven.
The “TODAY” show was granted an exclusive interview, but The Commercial Appeal was outside of the home when the reunion took place and captured on video Johnson’s scream of joy when she met Kardashian.
In the 10 minute “TODAY” show interview, Johnson said she had no idea who Kardashian was when the reality star began lobbying to free her from prison.
“I did not know her name,” Johnson said. “As soon as I found out who she was I started getting every magazine I could find.”
Kardashian said she found out about Johnson’s life sentence for a non-violent drug conviction on the internet and she has worked for the last seven months to free Johnson.
That mission led her to the White House when she called Trump’s daughter Ivanka, and this got her a meeting with President Donald Trump.
“I explained to him where I found her. Why I believe in her. How people deserve second chances, “Kardashian told Kotb about lobbying Trump to grant Johnson clemency. “To me this has nothing to do with politics. This has to do with people.”
Johnson’s sentence was commuted by Trump on her 63rd birthday. She returned to Memphis last week and is working to rebuild her life.
She said she has a forever bond with Kardashian. She keeps a picture of a younger Kardashian and Kanye West in her Bible and said she prays for the famous couple.
“I love this lady,” Johnson said. “Thank you is not big enough. I think I have to walk it out. I have to live it out for her, for my family, for the supporters.”
Kardashian said she will continue to work on prison reform cases to help others like Johnson.
“This has fulfilled my heart, and since I feel so fulfilled why should I stop that?” Kardashian said.