During a recent episode of The Kardashians, Kendall Jenner confronted her older sister Khloé Kardashian for meeting up with her ex-husband Lamar Odom — but not for the reason you’d think. It sounds like a bad idea for anyone to meet up with their problematic ex a decade after things ended, especially when you have a history like Khloé and Lamar.
But Kendall wasn’t upset the meeting happened – she was bothered by Khloé’s behavior toward Lamar. Even though Khloé was only seeing him to return some of his old things, Kendall said she was being unnecessarily “cold” to her ex-husband. That comment made Khloé emotional and led her to explain why she no longer wanted anything to do with Lamar. And honestly, we can’t blame her. But acting distant toward an ex isn’t why Kendall should’ve been upset with Khloe.
Kendall Sees How Lamar Makes Khloe Uncomfortable
Lamar and Khloé were married from 2009 to 2016. Their relationship was widely documented, both on Keeping Up with the Kardashians and their own spin-off Khloe & Lamar. But things were chaotic from the start – they got engaged just a month after meeting and married nine days later.
Though they started off as a fan-favorite couple, things spiraled quickly. Lamar openly struggled with addiction and cheated on Khloé numerous times. She said she was unaware of his struggles for most of their relationship, but that seems to be a consequence of marrying someone within weeks of marrying. Lamar was famously found unconscious in a Nevada brothel in 2015 when they were separated and on the brink of divorce.
Despite everything, Khloé paused the divorce to stay by his side while he was in a coma and undergoing rehab. She made it clear she didn’t want to get back together but wanted to support his recovery (and so she could make legal decisions for him). The divorce was finalized the following year when Lamar improved. But now, nearly a decade later, Lamar and Khloé are back in the headlines for their meetup. And apparently, Kendall has some strong opinions.
“I could tell you were shut off,” Kendall told Khloé. “It wasn’t that you were blatantly being mean or rude. It was just like — are you thinking people are going to judge the way you handle it? Or is it that you’re more guarded? I don’t know.”
Kendall later addressed the camera directly to share her unfiltered thoughts. Rather than focusing on the harm Lamar had caused, and how many emotions that might stir, Kendall seemed irritated that Khloé let her feelings show during the meet-up. “I think she’s still holding on to a lot. I see such a hostility still, and almost like… there’s definitely a wall, definitely a coldness. I’m sure it’s anger. I’m sure there are so many reasons as to why.”
After agreeing with Kendall that seeing Lamar makes her “anxious,” Khloé admitted she didn’t feel like herself during the reunion. It likely felt weird after being in no contact for so many years (even though Lamar has been vocal about wanting Khloe back). “I knew this man so well. I was a secret keeper, a lover, a best friend. I was so many things. And then you’re just nothing. And then to see someone — it’s almost like this flood of emotions. So many things to process. But in that moment, I could tell I was really uncomfortable.”
Kendall Told Khloé She Needed To Forgive and Forget
Kendall told Khloé she needed to forgive and forget – which is easier said than done. “At this point, for yourself, I would almost say you have to find it within you to forgive. You don’t have to forget.”
Khloé responded in a confessional: “I think what’s so frustrating about all of this is that they don’t really understand. I think anyone that knows my situation, or that has been in that situation, would be a different version of themselves this many years later. It would be foolish not to be. You have to protect yourself and grow from that scenario. I’m a different person than I was, and that’s not bad or good — it just is what it is.”
Khloé did agree that Kendall was somewhat right, admitting she could’ve handled it differently. “I don’t disagree with Kendall. I think I definitely could’ve been nicer, or my tone could’ve been softer. But also, there’s so much going on I can’t even explain. The very last time I saw this person was very contentious and negative. It wasn’t good. So is this my best moment in life? No.”
Kendall Is the Last Person Who Should’ve Called Khloé Out
Khloé may have agreed with Kendall on some points, but let’s not ignore that this is a woman who has stayed with men multiple times after they’ve cheated on her. She’s proven to be a people-pleaser, and so Khloé probably softened her reaction to avoid more judgment –- not just for seeing Lamar again, but for everything she tolerated back in the day.
But the bigger issue isn’t what Khloé is being called out for — it’s who is calling her out. It’s perfectly understandable that Khloé would react emotionally to seeing her ex, considering everything it brings back. Their marriage ended dramatically (and in front of the world). In the scene, it becomes clear how little Kendall remembers about how badly Lamar treated Khloé.
“When you guys met, was he open about his drug struggle?” Kendall asked during the conversation, after Khloé said she wanted honesty from Lamar during their meetup.
When Khloé said “no,” Kendall then admitted on camera that the family kept “so much” from her and Kylie — “in a good way.” But that just proves how much she didn’t witness or remember.
When Khloé and Lamar got married, Kendall was still a teenager – around 14 – and only 20 when they divorced. That meant she didn’t see the full picture. She didn’t live through the emotional trauma, the cheating scandals, or the media circus the way Khloé did. She wasn’t by her side the way Kim and Kourtney were. Lamar has always been charming, especially with Khloé’s family. So, it makes sense that Kendall has warm memories of him – he was nice to his wife’s teenage sister. But that doesn’t cancel out what he put Khloé through. Kendall’s memories are nostalgic but skewed.
Khloé Has a Pattern – and That’s the Real Problem
Kendall’s concern may have come from a place of love, but if she really wanted to help Khloé, she would’ve told her to stay away from Lamar, not encouraging them to reunite. She’s known for forgive men who’ve done her wrong… only to get hurt again.
The most famous example is Tristan Thompson, who cheated on her while she was pregnant, and again while their surrogate was carrying baby no. 2. Yet, he’s still in her life – and Khloé’s even teased the idea of a third baby with him, despite his other betrayals and allegations that he barely sees his other children.
The parallels between Lamar and Tristan are hard to ignore. Both cheated. Both humiliated Khloé publicly. And somehow, they both keep finding their way back into her inner circle. The only major difference? Khloé never had kids with Lamar. If she did, who knows if they’d ever fully cut ties?
So maybe the question isn’t whether Khloé was “cold” – maybe it’s why her family keeps encouraging these toxic dynamics instead of helping her break free from them.
If Khloé seemed distant, it’s because she was setting boundaries – and she has every right to. Even after everything they went through, Lamar continues to disrespect Khloé. Sure, he’s gone on record numerous times saying he regrets how he acted and Khloe was the one who got away. He would clearly love a second chance, but doesn’t seem to think he deserves one.
Despite all that self-reflection, Lamar has also made various inappropriate comments about her, including saying he wishes she had kids with him instead of Tristan. He’s also called Tristan out for cheating, which is beyond hypocritical considering his history. But one of the creepiest moments came recently, when Lamar admitted to owning a sex doll that looks like Khloé, nearly a decade after their divorce. That’s stalker behavior. Even Khloé called it “gross.”
Case in point – Kendall shouldn’t be questioning why Khloé seemed cold; she should be asking why this meeting happened at all. In fact, it may have done Khloé good to push back against her sister and remind her why this is the treatment Lamar is receiving. He made his bed, and now he has to lay in it.
The Reunion Didn’t Need to Happen (And Neither Did the Scene)
Khloé never needed to return Lamar’s stuff in person. She could’ve hired someone to do it… years ago. Between her fame, wealth, and access to professionals, there was no reason she had to see him face-to-face. If she held onto his things this long, it wasn’t because she couldn’t get rid of them. It’s likely because it gave her a reason to reopen that door.
But this is where therapy should come in, not family conversations used for reality TV. Khloé clearly still has unresolved emotions tied to Lamar and Tristan (and so would anyone). But Kendall isn’t equipped to help her with that. She’s not a therapist, nor is she a neutral party. She’s not even close enough to Khloé’s experience to guide her through the situation.
There’s another important thing to consider – Kendall hasn’t had much screen time this season. And when she does appear, it’s not exactly headline-worthy. She usually shows up in fashion cameos or random scenes with Kylie. But this scene with Khloé gave her something to say. It was a way to stir up conversation and get attention – and it’s working. Fans are debating whether Khloé was in the wrong, while Kendall is getting press for calling her out.
The problem is that the scene feels performative. If Kendall really wanted to support Khloé, she could’ve had this conversation off camera. Instead, she did it in front of a crew, all while it’s been well-established, the show is struggling for ratings. Even Kris Jenner is reportedly worried. Heck, maybe she organized the whole thing.
Khloé’s relationship with Lamar is complicated and emotional. But she’s not “cold” to set boundaries. If anything, she’s finally putting herself first. Kendall may have meant well, but she’s not the right person to mediate this situation. Moreover, the Kardashians don’t need to revisit Khloé’s trauma to keep the show interesting –especially not when Lamar is still making disturbing comments about her. What they do need is to stop turning that trauma into a storyline.