Former CNN host Don Lemon rejected Kanye West’s claim that journalists started the viral rumor that the rapper and his nearly naked wife Bianca Censori were escorted out of the 2025 Grammy Awards by police.
Newsweek has contacted representatives for West and Lemon via email for comment.
Why It Matters
Conflicting accounts are swirling over West and Censori’s exit after an appearance at the Grammys on Sunday. On the red carpet, Censori dropped her fur coat to reveal a completely sheer dress, sans undergarments. The issue had not been addressed by law enforcement, West’s representatives or the Recording Academy at the time of publication.
What To Know
Posting a photo Monday of Lemon on Instagram, West wrote, “This the goofball that started the rumor that me and my wife got kicked out the Grammies 3 decades of innovating music and they always K—S like this.”
Lemon quickly responded in an Instagram video, telling West he didn’t start the rumor and actually corrected it.
“I saw someone on your team who asked me to correct it because it had been reported everywhere. So first of all, get your s*** straight,” Lemon said.
Did Kanye West and Bianca Censori Get Kicked Out of the Grammys?
Reports vary over whether West and Censori were escorted out of the Grammys by police.
New York Post’s Page Six claims police removed them after Censori’s bold gesture, while the Daily Mail reports that CBS, which aired the awards show, was concerned about advertiser backlash and sent someone to speak with West, but denies police involvement.
TMZ and Variety rebuff both claims, stating the couple was never asked to leave. The outlets say they walked the red carpet, then left.
What People Are Saying
Feminist activist and writer Jean Hatchet on X: “This is controlling behaviour and he [West] is humiliating her on the biggest stage he can get – and one he had to invade. He’s not mad. This is deliberate.”
Media personality Megyn Kelly on X: “Raise your hand if you think, if you showed up at the Grammys completely naked on the red carpet, people might pay you some attention. It doesn’t make you seem special. It makes you seem crass, classless & desperate.”
Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy on X: “When is the last time Kanye made headlines for his talent as opposed to just being a jacka– or shock value.”
What’s Next
A representative for Lemon told Newsweek that the former CNN host will also address the accusation from West on his YouTube show.
This is a developing story and further information will be added as it becomes available.
Do you have a story Newsweek should be covering? Do you have any questions about this story? Contact [email protected].
Read the full article here
