The volatile marriage between former NBA star Lamar Odom and Khloé Kardashian is under intense scrutiny in the new Netflix docuseries, Untold: The Death and Life of Lamar Odom. Both Odom and Kardashian share candid details about their relationship, Odom's struggles with drug use, and Kardashian's role as an alleged enabler.

Lamar Odom's Ambition and Early Marriage

The Pursuit of a Lifestyle

Lamar Odom recalled observing the Kardashian family's lifestyle and expressing a desire to emulate it, stating, "I’m like, ‘this is how I want to live.’” This ambition reportedly factored into his decision to marry Khloé Kardashian in 2009 after a whirlwind romance.

Odom's childhood friend, Anthony “Pumpkin” Booker, shared an anecdote from the wedding, claiming Odom confided that his actions were aimed at bettering his future. Booker alleged Odom believed the Kardashians "know people" and "have mad connections" in the industry.

Regret Over Infidelity

Odom expressed bewilderment over his own actions while married to Kardashian, questioning onscreen, “What the f–k would make you think you marry this woman on TV and then go have affairs?” He acknowledged his past behavior seemed contradictory to his commitment.

The documentary features a specific incident where a mistress, nervous about Odom's intoxicated state, called Kardashian directly. The mistress allegedly told Khloé, “I’ve been f–ing your husband,” and asked Khloé to pick him up because she was frightened by how impaired he was.

Khloé Kardashian's Role as an Enabler

Protecting the Secret

Khloé Kardashian admitted onscreen that she acted as an enabler, stating, “I was such an enabler without knowing I was an enabler.” She felt a deep sense of "responsibility" to conceal his drug addiction to "protect him" from public scrutiny.

Kardashian recounted searching for Odom in alleys and motels, often finding drug paraphernalia like spoons and tinfoil in hotel rooms. She admitted to cleaning up after him so hotel housekeeping staff would not leak stories about his substance abuse.

Youth and Rationalization

At the time she discovered the extent of his drug use, Kardashian was 24 and still navigating her own life. She attributed some of her enabling behavior to her youth and inexperience.

Kardashian explained that she rationalized Odom's behavior due to his traumatic past, including his father's addiction and the loss of a son to SIDS. She felt compelled to "fix" him and believed her love could ultimately save him, admitting, “I didn’t sleep for years.”

The Near-Fatal Overdose and Aftermath

The Dallas Trade Fallout

Odom’s struggles intensified after being traded from the Los Angeles Lakers to the Dallas Mavericks in December 2011, an event he perceived as a rejection. Khloé described the subsequent period as marked by "monstrous" drug use and a "dark aura" surrounding them.

She detailed an incident in Dallas where Odom was reportedly locked in a hotel bathroom using drugs for nearly four days. After moving to the LA Clippers in June 2012, Odom's drug use escalated, leading to multiple overdoses where Khloé had to pump his stomach.

The Intervention and Divorce Attempt

The couple initially signed divorce papers in July 2015 as part of an "intervention" advised by others. Khloé gave Odom an ultimatum: rehab or divorce. Odom reportedly responded, “all I want is my passport and yeah, let’s get the f–king divorce.”

Kardashian later expressed shock at this response, recalling, “I was looking around like, ‘I don’t want the divorce. You guys told me I had to say this!’”

Hospitalization and Kobe Bryant's Role

The night before Odom's 2015 overdose at the Nevada brothel, Kardashian dreamed he was dead. Upon learning the news, she rushed to the hospital where doctors informed her he had suffered six heart attacks and twelve strokes, noting he was clinically dead for three days.

Kobe Bryant visited Odom during his hospitalization. Doctors presented a risky surgery option, and Bryant reportedly helped Kardashian make the difficult decision to proceed. The surgery allowed his lungs to function, though he subsequently fell into a coma.

Confrontation and Departure

Kardashian alleged that Odom's father, Joe, attempted to intervene, asking doctors to remove life support, presumably due to inheritance concerns. After Odom stabilized, Kardashian found drug dealers attempting to collect money from his personal belongings at the hospital.

Following his discharge after four months, Kardashian set up a home with a caretaker and chef to rehabilitate him. However, she caught Odom smoking crack in his room, leading her to punch him in the face. She angrily confronted him, stating she had put her life on hold, and demanded he leave, ending financial support and contact.

Lamar Odom stated he is currently "working on being my best self, and being present every day," expressing gratitude for his time married to Khloé, while acknowledging that "people and places in your life change."