Khloé Kardashian is opening up about a major behind-the-scenes tension in her relationship with Lamar Odom—and it centers on their short-lived reality show. In Netflix’s upcoming docuseries “Untold: The Death & Life of Lamar Odom,” both revisit their whirlwind romance, their fame-fueled marriage, and the pressures that came with turning their lives into must-see TV.
The episode, premiering March 31, dives into Odom’s career, personal struggles, and his 2015 near-fatal overdose. But one of the more revealing moments comes when the former couple reflects on “Khloé & Lamar” and the fact that Kardashian wasn’t entirely sold on the idea from the start.
Why Khloé Kardashian Didn’t Want Another Reality Show
Khloé Kardashian makes it clear that expanding the Kardashian TV universe wasn’t her priority at the time. While their relationship was moving at lightning speed, adding another show into the mix felt like too much. “’Khloé & Lamar’ was not my idea,” Kardashian said. “Khloé & Lamar was led very much by Lamar.”
She went on to explain the pressure she was already under, juggling multiple commitments while protecting the success of the original family franchise. “I was spread really thin. I also didn’t really want it to jeopardize the family brand, which was ‘Keeping Up’ at the time. I thought there were so many Kardashian shows.”
© WireImageAt that point, the Kardashian empire was already expanding with spinoffs like “Kourtney and Khloé Take Miami” and “Kourtney and Kim Take New York.” For Khloé, adding another series felt like oversaturation—and a potential risk to the brand that made them household names.
Lamar Odom’s Vision and Love for the Spotlight
Lamar Odom, on the other hand, was all in. The former NBA star admits he was drawn to both the Kardashian lifestyle and the exposure that came with it. “Now I’m already Lamar Odom, and I’m just watching how she lives and their lifestyle. I’m like, ‘I know this is where I wanna be.’ Like, ‘This is how I wanna live.’ ”
He described the combination of his basketball fame and Kardashian influence as intoxicating. “It felt like a power trip,” Odom said, referencing the blend of “Laker power” and “Kardashian power.” But he also acknowledged the downside: “I wasn’t really ready for all that power.”
© WireImageStill, his motivation to join Khloé in the spotlight was clear and blunt. “Well, part of the deal was that, ‘If I‘m gonna marry you, f— it. I want in too.’ ”
A Whirlwind Romance Under Public Scrutiny
Kardashian and Odom’s relationship famously moved fast. After meeting in August 2009, they were engaged within weeks and married by September 27 of that same year. The speed of their romance drew public criticism, something Khloé admits weighed on her.
© Noel VasquezShe recalled feeling “the cynicism of people judging” their timeline, even as they leaned into their new life together. Odom, who was already an established NBA player with the Los Angeles Lakers, saw the relationship as a gateway into a different kind of fame—one that extended beyond sports.
Fame, Pressure, and the Aftermath
“Khloé & Lamar” aired from 2011 to 2012, capturing their married life during a pivotal time in Odom’s career. He won the NBA Sixth Man of the Year Award in 2011 but was later traded, marking a shift both professionally and personally.
Behind the scenes, cracks were forming. Kardashian filed for divorce in December 2013. Although she briefly paused proceedings following Odom’s 2015 overdose, their divorce was finalized in 2016.
© NBCU Photo Bank via Getty ImagesThe docuseries also revisits that life-threatening moment, when Odom was found unresponsive at a Nevada brothel. He later described the terrifying experience of waking up in the hospital.
“Waking up [on Oct. 16], I was pulling the tubes out of my throat,” he recalled. “And I was trying to talk but I couldn’t get the words out. That was the scariest part. And not being able to walk. I’m a big athlete you know?”
“Untold: The Death & Life of Lamar Odom” promises a deeper, more reflective look at one of reality TV’s most talked-about relationships. For Khloé Kardashian, it’s also a chance to clarify her stance on a show that, while successful, wasn’t entirely her vision.
The series premieres March 31 on Netflix, with new episodes rolling out weekly through April 21.
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