Khloé Kardashian Puts Her Mother Through A Lie Detector Test To Find Out Who Her Real Father Was

Family secrets have a way of surfacing at the worst possible moments, especially when you're living your life under the unforgiving glare of reality television cameras.

For Khloé Kardashian, whispers about her paternity had followed her for years, growing louder with each tabloid headline and social media thread.

The speculation reached a fever pitch after her mother, Kris Jenner, published her 2011 memoir and admitted to having an affair during her marriage to Robert Kardashian. Suddenly, what might have been private family business became fodder for public consumption.

The rumors centered around O.J. Simpson, the former NFL star whose name had become synonymous with scandal. People began connecting dots that may never have formed a real picture, suggesting that Khloé might be the product of an alleged affair between Kris and Simpson.

It didn't help that Robert Kardashian's second wife claimed he'd told her Khloé wasn't his biological daughter. The internet ran wild with theories, dissecting photos and comparing features like amateur geneticists.

Khloé herself has always maintained that Robert Kardashian was her father, refusing to entertain DNA tests despite her mother's urging. But in a twist that could only happen in the Kardashian universe, the tables eventually turned.

Instead of submitting to a paternity test herself, Khloé made her mother face something arguably more uncomfortable: a lie detector test, broadcast for millions to watch.

What happened during that polygraph session revealed more than anyone expected about family loyalty, uncomfortable truths, and the cost of living life in front of cameras.

Khloé with her dad, Robert Kardashian, who passed away in 2003 at 59 from esophageal cancer

Instagram / @khloekardashian

Robert and Kris Jenner split in 1991 after news broke that Kris had an affair

Ron Galella / Contributor / Getty Images

Following Robert's divorce from Kris back in 1991, the attorney went on to marry Jan Ashley. After he died in 2003, Ashley claimed that he told her Khloé wasn't his biological daughter. Her words added fuel to an already burning fire of speculation.

"Khloé is not his kid — he told me that after we got married," she alleged in a 2012 interview. "He just kind of looked at me and said it like it was a matter of fact. He said, 'Well, you know that Khloé's not really a Kardashian, don't you? And I said … 'OK,' and that was it."

Those words hung heavy in the public consciousness. Whether true or simply the bitter aftermath of a failed marriage, they gave credence to rumors that had been swirling in hushed tones for years.

For Khloé, hearing that her late father may have questioned her paternity must have been devastating, regardless of the truth.

When dealing with potentially explosive family revelations, experts recommend preparation as a key strategy. Family psychologist Dr. Madeline Levine advises families to establish ground rules before discussing sensitive topics.

For instance, agreeing on respectful communication techniques can reduce tension and help maintain a constructive dialogue. Additionally, practicing active listening ensures that everyone feels heard, which is essential for emotional healing and understanding within the family unit.

O.J. Simpson had a longstanding connection with the Kardashian family, and he addressed the rumours in a podcast

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Understanding Family Dynamics

Family therapists suggest that navigating family secrets can deeply impact emotional well-being. Dr. Shefali Tsabary, a renowned family dynamics expert, notes that unearthing hidden truths often brings to light unresolved feelings and issues that can affect relationships.

She emphasizes the importance of approaching these conversations with empathy and openness, particularly in a public setting. Engaging in family therapy can provide a safe space for these discussions, allowing family members to express feelings without judgment.

Since then, the rumour mill has run wild with people convinced Khloé is actually O.J.'s child. Simpson, who made global headlines in 1994 after being accused of murdering his former wife, Nicole Brown, and her friend Ron Goldman, even commented on the gossip and set the record straight multiple times over the years.

Appearing on an episode of the Full Send Podcast, Simpson reflected on his time hanging out with the Kardashians. His response was characteristically blunt and dismissive.

"I always thought Kris was a cute girl. She was really nice. But you know... I was dating [...] supermodels," he said.

When asked whether or not he knew about the rumours circulating about him and Kris, Simpson was quick to dismiss them. He maintained: "But the rumour ain't true. It's not even nowhere close to being true. It's just that I have never been attracted to her, and I never suspected that she was ever attracted to me, so that was never the case."

In response to being asked whether or not he's Khloé's 'real dad', Simpson said: "No. No, I'm not."

Before the podcast, Simpson previously addressed the rumours, taking to his X page to deny having ever been involved with Kris

In a video uploaded on Father's Day in 2019, he said, "Bob Kardashian was like a brother to me. He was a great guy. He met and married Kris, and they really had a terrific time together when they were together. Unfortunately, that ended.

"But never, and I want to stress never, in any way, shape, or form, have I ever had any interest in Kris romantically or s*xually. And I never got any indication that she ever had any interest in me. So all of these stories are just bogus. Bad. Tasteless.

"Khloé, like all the girls, I'm very proud of just like I knew Bob would be if he were there. But the simple fact of the matter is she's not mine."

His denials were firm and consistent. Yet somehow, the rumors persisted, perhaps because people wanted a scandal more than they wanted the truth.

Khloé has constantly rejected the idea of a DNA test, despite public pressure throughout the years

Instagram/@khloekardashian

The ordeal was even famously discussed on a 2012 episode of KUWTK. In the first episode of the seventh season of the hit reality TV show, which was aptly titled 'Who's Your Daddy', viewers watched as Kris travelled to Texas, where Khloé lived with then-husband Lamar Odom. The whole situation played out with the uncomfortable intimacy that only reality television can capture.

"I know all the rumours are absolutely ridiculous," the momager said while trying to convince her daughter to take a DNA test. "But I know this is something she needs in order to feel complete."

Kris even convinced her other kids, Kim, Kourtney, and Rob, to take DNA tests as a comparison, but Khloé refused. Her stance was firm and deeply personal.

"Mom, I don't care what they're saying," Khloé said. "Seriously, my dad is Robert Kardashian. My other dad is [Caitlyn] Jenner. I don't need someone to tell me who my family is. I have had the blessing of having two phenomenal fathers.

"I don't need a DNA test to prove who my father is."

It was a powerful moment of defiance. Khloé drew a line in the sand, asserting that family is defined by love and presence, not genetics. But the public pressure didn't ease, and neither did her own need for answers, apparently.

The Kardashian mom-manager, Kris, decided to take a Lie Detector Test

AFP via Getty Images

Another episode of the show saw Kris take a lie detector test, something which was proposed by Kim following Kris' secret rendezvous with Todd Waterman, with whom she had an affair while with her first husband, Robert. The polygraph became a family spectacle, with questions ranging from the trivial to the deeply personal.

"During the lie detector, Kris admitted that Kim was her favourite daughter, but denied that she had taken more than her share from any of her daughters' business dealings," IMDb reports. "She also confirmed that Khloé's real father was Robert Kardashian.

"However, when Kris was asked whether she would like to have an affair with Todd, the needle on the polygraph started bouncing around frantically, causing husband Bruce to storm out."

That moment crystallized something essential about the Kardashian family dynamic: they're willing to expose almost anything for the cameras, even when it tears at the fabric of their relationships.

Kris confirmed what Khloé needed to hear, but the episode also revealed cracks in other parts of her life. Bruce's reaction to the Todd Waterman question showed that some wounds never fully heal, even when you're performing transparency for entertainment.

Well, there you have it.

Professional Assessment & Guidance

Ultimately, the conversation about paternity within the Kardashian family highlights the complexities of family relationships, particularly under public scrutiny. Psychologists emphasize the significance of addressing such issues with care and professionalism.

As Dr. Tina Payne Bryson notes, fostering trust and communication is vital, especially in high-stress situations. Families can benefit greatly from seeking professional guidance, ensuring these discussions lead to healing rather than further conflict. By employing these strategies, families can navigate their histories with greater understanding and support.