Khloé Kardashian has opened up about the difficult years she spent trying to protect her former husband, Lamar Odom, from the harsh glare of public scrutiny while he battled a severe addiction. This candid revelation comes as Netflix prepares to release a new documentary episode that revisits the harrowing events surrounding Odom’s near-fatal overdose in 2015, shedding light on the former NBA star’s turbulent journey.
The documentary, titled Untold: The Death & Life of Lamar Odom, is part of Netflix’s acclaimed sports documentary series that delves deep into the personal and professional life of Odom. It chronicles his rise to basketball stardom and the devastating addiction issues that almost cost him his life. The trailer prominently features the infamous incident from October 2015, when Odom was discovered unconscious at the Love Ranch brothel in Crystal, Nevada, after suffering a drug overdose that left him hospitalized in critical condition.
In the footage, Odom himself recounts the severity of the medical crisis he endured. He reveals that he suffered an astonishing 12 strokes and six heart attacks during the ordeal, underscoring just how close he came to death. “That’s not no average s—,” he states, emphasizing the gravity of his condition. Despite their estrangement at the time, Kardashian rushed to his side and stayed by his bedside throughout his coma and time on life support, demonstrating the depth of her care even amid their separation.
Throughout the documentary, Kardashian reflects on the immense pressure she felt to shield Odom from public judgment during their marriage. She admits that she often took on the responsibility of concealing the full extent of his struggles. “He would escape rehab and go on a drug bender and no one could find him,” she shares. “I just felt such a responsibility to cover this up and protect him.” This insight reveals the complex dynamics behind addiction and the challenges faced by loved ones trying to support someone in crisis.
Their relationship began in 2009 when they met at a party hosted by Odom’s Lakers teammate Ron Artest, now known as Metta Sandiford-Artest. Remarkably, the couple married just a month later, marking the start of a high-profile union that would soon be tested by Odom’s personal demons. Friends interviewed for the documentary describe Odom’s lifestyle during this period as akin to that of a “rock star,” balancing the demands of NBA success with increasingly destructive behavior off the court.
Odom also speaks openly about the origins of his addiction, candidly admitting how his initial encounter with cocaine felt exhilarating but ultimately unleashed a force he could no longer control. “That first hit of cocaine was amazing,” he recalls. “But you unlock a vault that you can’t really control.” He further confesses to feelings of shame over his substance abuse, acknowledging that his nights were often consumed by partying and that he struggled to stop despite the consequences.
As the trailer concludes, Odom reflects on his brush with death and the impact it had on his perspective. “The afterlife is not what people make it out to be,” he muses, hinting at the profound transformation he experienced following his recovery. Kardashian and Odom officially separated in 2013, with their divorce finalized three years later after he began to regain control over his life.
Directed by Ryan Duffy, this documentary will be the first of four new installments in Netflix’s Untold series scheduled for release this spring. It arrives at a time when Odom has recently sought help once again, entering rehab earlier this year after a DUI arrest. His manager, Gina Rodriguez, confirmed that Odom chose to pursue treatment for marijuana addiction as a preventative measure to avoid slipping back into more dangerous substances.
Untold: The Death & Life of Lamar Odom is set to premiere on Netflix on March 31, promising an intimate and unflinching look at the highs and lows of a once-celebrated athlete’s life and the resilience required to overcome addiction.
