No intervention here. Dr. Phil gave Us Weekly his thoughts on Lamar Odom‘s hospitalization, telling critics that now is “not a time to be judging” the former NBA player for the circumstances surrounding the brothel incident.
“I truly hope that he gets through this acute crisis right now,” Dr. Phil, 65, told Us and other reporters at the Broadcasting & Cable Hall of Fame Awards in NYC on Tuesday, Oct. 20. “And I hope that everybody around him — friends and family — focus on that recovery right now.”
Dr. Phil then directed his attention to the focus on Odom’s brothel stay at the Love Ranch South in Pahrump, Nev. “This is not a time to be judging how he got there or any of those circumstances,” the TV personality said. (As authorities revealed, Odom used drugs along with an herbal Viagra when he first checked into the ranch. His blood test results are still pending.) “This is a time to be focused on getting a complete physical recovery, physiological recovery…. He’ll take that momentum of getting through that acute crisis — take that momentum into every area of his life with that.”
The TV psychologist had kind words, above all, for Odom’s wife, Khloe Kardashian, whose lawyer went before a judge on Oct. 21, and asked to withdraw their divorce documents.
The KUWTK star, 31, who initially filed for divorce from Odom, 35, in December 2013, has barely left Odom’s side since he was found unconscious last Tuesday, Oct. 13. A source subsequently told Us Weekly that Kardashian has put everything — including her relationship with Houston Rockets player James Harden — “on hold right now while she’s with Lamar.”
“I would think at this point, the message needs to be that ‘You are loved… I’m behind you a 100 percent,'” Phil advised Kardashian in his interview with Us. “Because the last thing in the world that someone, who is struggling at this point needs, is any kind of message of judgement or criticism.”
He elaborated on the types of conversation Kardashian should be having with Odom as he recovers.
“‘Look, we’re sorry you’re in this situation. We love you,'” Dr. Phil continued. “‘We’re behind you and we want you to come back 100 percent. If things need to be talked about or discussed, there’s plenty of time to do that. Now, let’s get you healthy. Lets protect your life and get you as much recovery as we possibly can because you don’t want residuals here. You don’t want to stop adhering to the medical regimen one minute too soon. You want to make sure that just because you’re up and having conversation doesn’t mean that you’re fully recovered. You got to do everything necessary to make sure that your brain is back online and that you’re doing what you need to do physiologically.'”
Kardashian’s ex-boyfriend French Montana, meanwhile, praised the reality star for her commitment to Odom’s recovery. “It’s a beautiful thing what she’s doing,” the rapper, 30, told the New York Daily News on Tuesday night. “I feel like every woman should do that.”
As reported by Us on Tuesday, Odom’s condition has improved, but this doesn’t mean he’s in the clear. In fact, he has a long road towards recovery ahead. “He’s still really, really sick,” a source told Us. “He’s not doing well.”
