Lamar Odom reveals strategic motives behind 2009 marriage to Khloe Kardashian

• Lamar Odom admitted that the Kardashian lifestyle and connections influenced his decision to marry
• The athlete’s family, including his aunt, were not invited to the 2009 wedding ceremony
• A new Netflix documentary explores the strategic and personal aspects of Odom’s former marriage
  

Lamar Odom has provided a startlingly candid look into the motivations behind his high-profile marriage to Khloé Kardashian in the new Netflix documentary, Untold: The Death & Life of Lamar Odom.

The retired basketball player, now 46, admitted that his decision to wed the reality star in 2009 was partially driven by a desire to "better his future" and gain access to the family's extensive social and professional network.

"I'm watching how she lives and their lifestyle. I'm like, 'This is how I want to live,'" Odom explained, describing the union as a "power trip" that combined his NBA status with the burgeoning influence of the Kardashian brand.

The documentary also sheds light on the personal cost of the rapid-fire wedding, which took place just weeks after the couple met.

Odom’s aunt, Janean Mercer, revealed that the athlete’s family was entirely excluded from the star-studded Beverly Hills ceremony on 27 September 2009. "He didn't invite any of us, you know.

None of us," Mercer stated, recalling her initial scepticism about the longevity of the relationship. Her concerns proved prescient, as the couple eventually parted ways in 2013 following a turbulent marriage that was heavily documented on their spinoff series.

Friends of the athlete alleged in the film that Odom viewed the marriage as a strategic move to secure his standing in the entertainment world.

By his own admission, the allure of "Kardashian power" was a significant factor in his decision-making process at the time.

While the marriage ended more than a decade ago, Odom’s reflections offer a new perspective on the intersection of professional sports and reality television during that era.

The documentary is currently available for streaming, providing a comprehensive look at the athlete’s complex journey through fame and recovery.