Interview: Khloé Kardashian Odom

OUT: How do you define success?
Khloe Kardashian Odom: I don't define success by the amount of money someone has or by their popularity. Life can be so unpredictable, and there are ups and downs. To me, success is setting goals and working hard to achieve them. Whether big or small, it's important to have that discipline and a clear idea of what you want. In my opinion, just because a person is famous doesn't necessarily mean that they're successful.

What can we see on your show this season?
A lot of big and unexpected changes--on the personal and professional fronts--for both of us. It's all exciting and I'm so happy that I can take the viewers on this crazy ride with me.

Describe yourself in five words.
Loyal, loving, silly, passionate, badass bitch.

What is the best advice you've ever received?
That you'll never be able to please everyone in life, so stop trying. You'll end up wasting your life and losing yourself. Just stay true to who you are.

In Keeping Up With the Kardashians, you talk about being bullied and picked on. How did you overcome this?
Being bullied is awful. We live in a world where some people bring others down in order to make themselves feel better. Sad, but true. I've been blessed to have an amazing family unit that constantly provides me with support. It's interesting because my being bullied as a kid has actually prepared me, in a way, to face the negativity, which is much more public now. I truly try to not pay attention to it. I know my strengths and I know who I am. I know my heart. So I just believe that for every hater or bully I have there are 100 people who love me.

Do you have any advice to the LGBT youth that are being bullied in schools today?
It's been said, but as soon as you leave high school it does get better. Life isn't about being a part of a clique. Focus on having your own identity. I feel like the people who depend on being part of the in-crowd or who can't survive without that unit are actually the weak ones. The loners or the "odd" ones are the strong ones but, typically, those are the ones who are bullied. Sadly, people are bullied because others are afraid of what they don't understand. It's easy to be a clone, it's difficult to be an individual and to take pride in that. I believe that God presents certain people with obstacles because He knows they can conquer them. Once they do they will appreciate their journey so much more. I'm blessed to have a platform in my life to share these things from my own life experiences. It truly does get better.

I sometimes feel that kids today are exposed to too much, too soon. We all have obstacles but they only make you stronger and better. Kids need to unite together at school. If you see someone being picked on, stand up--don't turn a blind eye. We also have to focus on educating kids about this topic.

What is your favorite thing about marriage?
Everything. When you're married to the right person, it just works. It feels so good. Having the support emotionally and physically from someone that you trust unconditionally is priceless. I'm married to my best friend. We genuinely have fun together. You can't force love, but when you let it find you, it's phenomenal.

You seem very comfortable in your skin, how do you appear so confident?
Things weren't always smooth. I'm lucky to have amazing parents who have always supported me. Home was my sanctuary. My family helped me through a tough time and built my confidence. Over the years, I've learned to embrace everything about myself--flaws and all--and build a resistance to negativity. We only live once and I'm going to live my life to the fullest.

Do you ever just want the cameras to go away and have a normal private life?
My family and I have chosen to be open and to share our lives publicly. There are different elements of the show that everyone can relate with, and I'm happy to share what I can with others. I'm grateful that certain moments have been captured on camera, like my wedding. These are memories that I'll be able to cherish forever. I think of it all as just really high-quality home videos. I'll continue to be a part of it as long as it's fun, and I'll stop when the fun stops.

What inspires you?
What keeps me motivated at work is thinking of my future, the family that I hope to create one day, and the amazing legacy I will leave behind. I hope that one day my children will be proud of the parents they have.

What's your secret to a happy marriage?
I don't think there is a secret, really. I believe a happy marriage is about compatibility, honesty, communication, and dedication. We make sure to keep us--our marriage--a priority. We have to take shifts. When he's in his NBA season I have to adjust to his life more and then when he has his off time he adapts to mine. It's always a give-and-take. Keeping one another a priority and having genuine respect for each other is crucial. Without communication in a relationship, you're at a stalemate, and that's no way to live. We make our decisions together as a couple. It's can never be a one-way thing. When you're married you have to act as a team.

What are some of the upcoming projects that you have going on?

My sisters and I are continuing to work on our Kardashian Kollection for Sears, which is expanding, and our QVC clothing line. There's our shows, the OPI nailpolish line, perfumes, all that. We also just opened our own store in Vegas that carries all things 'Kardashian.' I've learned to never stop. The sky is the limit with all things in life. Opportunities are endless and I'm all about exploring new potential projects.

What is most important to you and why?
My family comes first and foremost. My husband is my number one priority and he knows that. The people around me are all my support system, and I think, given how unpredictable life can be, it's important to be able to depend on them and count on them, no matter what.

Khloe and Lamar airs on E! Sunday nights at 10pm.

Photo courtesy of James White for E!