Kim Kardashian Speaks Out on Divorce: I'm "Getting Through It," Will Get Away "in the Near Future"

In first TV interview since split, E! star says she's hurt by all the rumors about her marriage, but understands that scrutiny "comes with the territory"

By Natalie Finn Nov 03, 2011 12:44 AMTags

You don't have to tell Kim Kardashian that with great visibility comes a tidal wave of scrutiny.

"It's kind of what you get from living your life so publicly on a reality show," Kim admitted on Australia's Sunrise morning show, her first TV interview since announcing Monday that she was divorcing Kris Humphries after 72 days of marriage.

"I get that questions are going to be asked and the sctrutiny's going to come, and there'll be mixed emotions and so many rumors," she continued, sister Khloé Kardashian Odom at her side. "That comes along with the territory, but also, it teaches me I kind of want to step back a little bit."

But she also understands that she owes her fame to her fans—and that it isn't so bad being halfway around the world at a time like this.

"I really wanted to stick with my commitment to come out here to Australia," Kim explained. "I love our fan base out here. Of course, I do want some time to myself and it's a really tough thing to go through, but I didn't want to bail on everyone and skip out on this commitment. I just have Khloé and [Lamar Odom] here with me and, you know, we're getting through it. That's really all I can do."

"I'm really proud of Kim for not just bailing and canceling," added Khloé, "'cause this is a really hard time for her. Here, we have such amazing fans, but still, it's not getting away. You still have the paparazzi and everything here, so she's being really strong. And Lamar and I are here to be her support at this time."

When asked whether she ever considered just taking off to get away from it all, Kim replied, "Of course, I do want that time to be with myself and close friends and family. I don't think you ever prepare yourself for when the right time is, so I will get that time somewhere in the near future."

Kim also echoed some of what she told fans in a lengthy blog post yesterday about being most disappointed by the reports that her marriage was a money-making business venture or a publicity stunt.

"I think what really upsets me most is that there have been, from the start, so many rumors of money and dollar signs, of all these things thrown up in the air, that this cost this much, and this much, and this much...and so much of it not being true," Kim said regretfully.

Khloé said she understood what Kim was going through, seeing as how she tied the knot with Lamar after barely a month of knowing each other and was asked all kinds of questions about her motivation.

"You feel like you have to defend yourself to every person—which you don't," Khloé insisted.

"It's a double-edged sword," concluded Kim. "We want to share these great times, but then when you want some time for yourself and have some private time, you're not really allowed to per se, like in the public. It's hard, and I'm glad that I'm out here in Australia to get my mind off of everything."

It was mainly up to Khloé to talk up the Kardashian Kollection handbag line they were in town to launch, and the sisters also discussed both their business empire and their charity commitments—what they "don't boast about," Kim said.

"I do that in privacy, I don't like to do that and be either rewarded for it or exploit children," Khloé said of her work with the L.A. Children's Hospital. "I don't do that on tape or for any recognition."

Kim remained rather somber until she and Khloé went to the window to wave to the mass of fans gathered outside. The E! star made a heart shape with her hands and cracked what may have been her first smile of the day.