Kanye West found himself at the center of public attention once again after his lavish birthday celebration raised eyebrows.
The rapper marked his birthday with an extravagant masquerade-themed event in France alongside his wife, Bianca Censoriwhile also speaking about her support during a difficult time in her mental health journey.
However, the festivities come as Kanye West faces further backlash ahead of his upcoming concerts in Tampa, where protests are expected due to his past anti-Semitic remarks and actions.
Kanye West celebrates his 49th birthday with an opulent masquerade-themed event
West reportedly marked his recent birthday with an extravagant masquerade-themed celebration at the historic Palace of Versailles in France, which reportedly cost $400,000.
According to Page sixthe rapper and producer, who turned 49 on June 8, welcomed more than 20 guests to the lavish gathering at the famous palace before the festivities continued at the nearby luxury hotel Les Airelles.
For the occasion, West embraced the event’s dramatic theme, wearing an all-black ensemble including a face covering, jacket, leather pants, boots and matching gloves.
His wife, Bianca Censori, opted for a stunning cream satin outfit featuring a structured corset-style bodysuit paired with a matching skirt. She completed the look with a feathered headpiece that hid much of her face and satin wedge heels.
Read more about Kanye West’s lavish birthday party
Many attendees at West’s party stayed true to the masquerade dress code, with several guests incorporating elaborate masks into their outfits, including animal-inspired designs.
The lavish celebration followed a sweet birthday tribute from Censori earlier this month.
The Australian architect shared a series of photos and videos on social media, including clips of West singing with a friend, as well as a heartfelt message expressing her affection for her husband.
“Happy birthday @ye. I love you more than life,” Censori wrote, describing the “Heartless” rapper as his “ride or die 4ever” in another post.
Kanye West thanks Bianca Censori for helping him with his mental health struggles
The couple also reportedly spent part of the anniversary weekend in Amsterdam, where they were seen dining at upscale restaurant Ciel Bleu before heading out together.
The Amsterdam outing was just the latest in a series of high-profile appearances by West and Censori, who frequently attract attention with their fashion choices while keeping much of their relationship out of the public eye.
Last month, Censori made headlines again during a party at the Chateau Marmont in Los Angeles, where her daring outfit sparked plenty of discussion online. The couple married in 2022 and remained together through several controversial moments that kept West in the spotlight.
Earlier this year, the rapper spoke candidly about a difficult period in his mental health, revealing that Censori played a key role in helping him through a severe depressive episode that followed changes in his medications.
In an interview with Vanity FairWest said his wife recognized the warning signs and helped him seek treatment, including support from a rehabilitation center in Switzerland. He credited her with helping him through what he described as one of the lowest periods of his life.
Meanwhile, West faces new controversy ahead of upcoming concerts in Tampa, where protests are expected despite unsuccessful efforts to cancel the performances.
Ahead of the rapper’s planned concerts, organizers announced plans to deploy protest vehicles to drive around the venue as concertgoers arrive. The protests follow a campaign led by Sen. Rick Scott, who urged local officials to block the events because of West’s anti-Semitic remarks and controversial public statements.
Earlier this month, Scott started a petition calling on the Tampa Sports Authority to cancel concerts, arguing that public resources should not be used to support an artist whose comments have been widely condemned.
In a statement, Scott described West as “an admitted and prolific anti-Semite” and highlighted a number of past remarks and actions that generated backlash. He argued that allowing the concerts to take place in a publicly funded venue would be offensive to many members of Florida’s Jewish community.
He added. “Forcing them to support these concerts with their tax dollars is a slap in the face to Jews in Florida, across the country and around the world. »
The controversy plaguing the West stems from a series of incendiary comments he made beginning in 2022. Over the years, he has drawn criticism for social media posts praising Adolf Hitler, identifying himself as a Nazi and targeting Jewish people.
He also faced backlash after selling products featuring swastika images on his fashion brand’s website.
In January, however, West appeared to backtrack, issuing a public statement in which he expressed support for the Jewish people and attributed some of his past behavior to the effects of a brain injury.
The statement received mixed reactions, with some welcoming the apology while others remained skeptical.
His comeback efforts have since faced obstacles internationally, with reports that the UK refused him an entry visa, leading to the cancellation of his planned appearances, while another planned concert in Poland was also cancelled.