Kanye West is already planning his return to the UK, despite being denied a visa for Wireless festival after antisemitic rants. The rapper, who now goes by Ye, became the centre of huge backlash when he was announced as the headliner for the London festival this summer.
Controversial Comments and Apology
In recent years, he has become known for making antisemitic, racist, sexist, and homophobic comments, which he has since apologised for. West claimed to have suffered from a 'break with reality' amid a mental health spiral caused by his bipolar disorder, which he is now seeking help to manage.
Wireless Festival Cancellation
While Wireless bosses backed platforming the Power rapper for three nights, they eventually had to call off the whole event after the Home Office refused to grant West a UK visa. Despite this, sources say he has 'not given up on his dream of performing in the UK again.'
An insider told The Sun: 'He knows that it takes time to convince and persuade authorities but is willing to work with them so that they have a better understanding of his prior bipolar episode. Ye has a huge fan base in the UK and is determined to come here and perform again. He has a long history of live shows and major festival appearances in the UK and has an affinity for the country and its people.'
European Tour Impact
The cancellation derailed much of his European tour, as within days he postponed a show in France following calls for him to also be banned from entering the country. His gigs in Poland and Switzerland were also scrapped, with West saying he was reflecting on his actions and wanted to show he had changed. Shows in the US, Albania, Spain and Portugal this summer are still set to go ahead, with the events organiser for the latter branding cancellation a 'non-issue'.
Public Apologies
West has apologised for his actions, firstly in an advert in the Wall Street Journal in January, then again in the same way after the Wireless backlash. In a message on X, he said: 'I know it takes time to understand the sincerity of my commitment to make amends. I take full responsibility for what's mine but I don't want to put my fans in the middle of it. My fans are everything to me. Looking forward to the next shows. See you at the top of the globe.'
Recent Public Appearances
Since the gig drama, West has been seen out in public more with his wife, Bianca Censori, including visiting Art Basel to view her exhibition. The Australian model and architect, 31, wore a white satin bodysuit, looking rather bridal, as the pair viewed her artwork and strolled around the gallery. Meanwhile, her husband wore a black leather jacket, dark trousers and beige boots, a departure from his familiar hoodie and covered face he has been sporting of late.
The pair stood in front of a naked figure seated on a bright pink chaise longue, in a set-up mimicking a room. Censori took pictures of the art on her phone, before the couple headed for dinner at Italian restaurant Donati.
The day before, while out for dinner in Switzerland, she had seemed unfazed by onlookers as she walked through the restaurant wearing a totally sheer bodysuit and a sparkly thong leotard. The A-list couple, who wed in a private ceremony in 2022, went about their business, the Gold Digger rapper donning his usual attire of baggy trousers, a white T-shirt, and chunky boots, counteracting his spouse's practically naked look.
Bianca Censori's Art and Defence
Censori has defended her looks previously, telling Vanity Fair she 'lives [her] artwork', adding that she has long 'had an obvious obsession with nudity'. Her most recent 'artwork' outside of the Basel exhibition was in celebration of her husband's birthday on June 8. Taking to Instagram with a slew of private and steamy snaps, she declared him her 'ride or die 4ever', firmly putting to bed any lingering rumours of a rift in the marriage from last year.
