Tristan Thompson, Khloé Kardashian and the problem with his public apology
Tristan Thompson’s apology to Khloé Kardashian.
The 30-year-old NBA player and Kardashian, 37, were the talk of social media after Thompson issued an Instagram apology for fathering a child with another woman, shining a bright spotlight on the tabloid-fodder Kardashian has thus far not commented on.
“Today, paternity test results reveal that I fathered a child with Maralee Nichols,” Thompson wrote Monday, adding he takes “full responsibility” and plans to “amicably” raise his son with Nichols.
Thompson went on to apologize to Kardashian directly.
“You don’t deserve the heartache and humiliation I have caused you,” he continued. “You don’t deserve the way I have treated you over the years. My actions certainly have not lined up with the way I view you. I have the utmost respect and love for you. Regardless of what you may think. Again, I am so incredibly sorry.”
basketball player has cheated on Kardashian. Others recalled how Kardashian placed blame on former friend Jordyn Woods for Thompson’s first bout of public infidelity.Tristan Thompson apologizes to Khloe Kardashian after he fathered Maralee Nichols’ baby
The passionate responses from fans and critics alike stems from the fact that the issue hits home and is personal for some, according to experts.
Pepper Schwartz, professor of sociology at the University of Washington and a featured relationship expert on “Married at First Sight,” says Thompson and Kardashian’s situation digs up feelings of betrayal people have experienced.
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“There’s something that’s missing of like the humanistic aspect of relationships in general. We all go through different things, we all experience things differently,” says Jimanekia Eborn, a sex educator and host of podcast “Trauma Queen.” “Do I think there’s projection? Absolutely. Because we see ourselves in other people.”
Many people believe Kardashian should leave Thompson, but Eborn reminds fans to give Kardashian the same grace humans deserve when they get betrayed.
It’s easier to critique the star’s choices because we’re in a time “where social media is so rampant,” Ebn explains. “We’re also in a pandemic where emotions are high, and it’s easier for society to look at someone else’s life than to look at theirs.”
The reality is that life and love are complicated and people, celebrities or not, aren’t always going to do what we believe they should.
“To expect perfect behavior is asking people to be non-human, we’re very, very human,” Schwartz says.
Contributing: Charles Trepany