Why Hank Baskett Told Kendra Wilkinson to "Go Play Around" During Their "Marital Crisis"

Kendra on Top stars open up to Steve Harvey about their decision not to divorce following 2014 scandal

By Rebecca Macatee Apr 18, 2016 8:34 PMTags

In 2014, Kendra Wilkinson and Hank Baskett's marriage was rocked by scandal, but instead of calling it quits, the pair spent the next two years rebuilding their relationship.

There was a time, though, when Kendra wasn't sure if she even wanted to work things out with Hank. On an episode of The Steve Harvey Show airing Tuesday, the mother of two opens up about her "marital crisis," having "divorce in my mind" and reaching "a point where I actually liked the feeling [of being single] and accepted it." 

Tegan Kinane/NBC

"Hank gave me the freedom to explore it mentally, not physically, it mentally," she says. "He wanted me to really know that this is what I want, and I ended up coming out of it knowing that this [marriage] is really, truly what I want."

"Nothing ever happened physically," adds Kendra. "Or nothing ever crossed the line. It was just like mental chaos."

Steve is baffled Hank told Kendra to "go play around if you want" and jokes he would've had a more primal reaction to his wife exploring other options. Hank understands the sentiment, telling the talk show host, "If it wouldn't be for what happened to me that caused this whole mess-up, if she tired to say this outside of that, no, no, we're going to be talking to me behind bars," he says. "But you know what? I had to learn my lesson and to find out how valuable and important she is to my life, and I realize that." 

Kendra and Hank's full interview airs Thursday on The Steve Harvey Show—check local listings or go to steveharveytv.com for time and channel.