Lamar Odom is pushing back on claims that his Netflix documentary revealed he married Khloé Kardashian purely for fame. The former NBA star addressed the controversy during a recent podcast appearance, insisting that the comments attributed to him were actually made by someone else entirely.
His response arrives months after the documentary’s release, which sparked a public falling-out between the two exes.
The drama traces back to Odom’s Netflix project, Untold: The Death & Life of Lamar Odom, which debuted in March. In the film, Odom discussed being drawn to the Kardashian family’s lifestyle around the time he proposed to Khloé just weeks after meeting her in 2009.
A friend who attended the wedding also claimed Odom told him he was marrying into the family to boost his future prospects.
What Odom Actually Said About Marrying Khloé
Speaking on the Nothing’s Off the Table podcast with host Louis Ruggiero, Odom flatly denied ever claiming he married Khloé for clout. He suggested that the remarks fueling the backlash may have come from his children rather than from him during their own documentary interviews.
Both of his adult kids, Destiny and LJ, appeared in the Netflix film and shared their own perspectives on the wedding.
Odom maintained that he did not need Khloé’s fame or connections at that point in his career. He pointed to his NBA championship ring as evidence that he already had status of his own before the marriage. When the podcast host asked directly whether he loved Khloé, Odom confirmed that he did.
Odom also mentioned he had been involved with another well-known actress right before meeting Khloé. He said things simply fell into place naturally once the two connected, framing the relationship as organic rather than calculated. The comments were his first extended public clarification since the documentary aired.
Khloé’s Reaction To The Documentary Comments
Khloé did not hold back when she first addressed the claims on her podcast, Khloé in Wonder Land. She expressed frustration that she had participated in the documentary as an unpaid favor to her ex, only to feel blindsided by how the project portrayed their marriage. She called the situation upsetting and said it left her questioning whether their relationship had ever been genuine.
She noted that a social media clip questioning the authenticity of their marriage had resonated with her after watching the documentary play out publicly. Khloé said she agreed to participate only after being assured the project would present a positive portrayal of Odom’s recovery story. She had reportedly hesitated for months before signing on, wanting to protect him from further negative attention.
Khloé also addressed how she stepped in during Odom’s 2015 medical emergency, describing the extended period she spent by his side afterward. She pushed back on suggestions that she exaggerated her role in his recovery. According to her, she authorized who could visit him and stayed involved in his care for months following the incident.
The Fallout Between The Former Couple
Weeks after her initial response, Khloé signaled that any chance of reconciliation or friendship with Odom was effectively over. She told her mother, Kris Jenner, on a later podcast episode that she considered the relationship finished for good. She also asked her family to stop engaging with him, even as Jenner maintained she had not personally cut off contact.
Khloé claimed Odom continued to make similar comments in subsequent interviews after her podcast callout, allegedly doubling down on the idea that the marriage boosted his social media presence. She said her brother, Rob Kardashian, had sent her one of the interviews in question. The remarks reportedly deepened her frustration rather than resolving it.
Odom, for his part, has also disputed other elements of how the documentary portrayed his overdose recovery. He reportedly suggested in press appearances that Khloé’s role in his recovery had been overstated, a claim that added further tension to their already strained dynamic. Khloé dismissed those suggestions and reiterated her account of the events surrounding his hospitalization.
Their History Since The 2009 Wedding
Khloé and Odom met in 2009 at a party hosted by his then-Lakers teammate, and their courtship moved quickly from there. The two married that September, roughly a month after their first meeting, following a fast-moving engagement. Their marriage lasted until 2013, when Khloé filed for divorce.
She later paused those divorce proceedings in 2015 following Odom’s overdose, choosing to support his recovery before finalizing their split. The divorce was ultimately completed in December 2016. Their relationship has remained a recurring topic of public interest in the years since, particularly as both have spoken publicly about their time together.
The Netflix documentary reopened much of that history for audiences, prompting fresh commentary from both former spouses. While Odom now says his intentions were misrepresented, Khloé has made clear she considers the matter closed on her end. Neither has indicated plans for further public engagement with the other following the recent exchanges.
