Kanye West and Societal Perception of Mental Illness
Laramie Knox Mass Media Studies Major, ‘22 Advisor: Dr. Jingsi Christina Wu
Questions for Consideration - Does Kanye West’s bipolar diagnosis truly explain his behavior? Is it an excuse? - Does his mental health stop him from being completely “canceled” in the media? - Would he be treated differently if he was of a different race or gender? West stated in 2016 that he had no intention of long-term treatment for his bipolar disorder, claiming that medication “didn’t make him feel like himself”. As of 2022, there has been push for him to be admitted to a psychiatric care facility or placed in a conservatorship after his public displays of antisemitism and racism. Due to his extreme views, fans begin to speculate if his hatred is authentic or if his diagnosis is affecting his perspective of society and marginalized groups. As he continues to express polarizing statements he still maintains a large following, many who believe that he is “crazy”, or that his past musical projects are enough to excuse his current mental state. His inability to lose his fan base shows that we are unable to define the limits of celebrities with mental illnesses, therefore excusing beliefs that we may not tolerate in others but will tolerate in celebrities due to their fame and high status.
Ye’s first media controversy occurred in 2009 after his interruption of Taylor Swift’s VMA award acceptance in 2009. There was never any official reason behind the action, inciting a feud lasting over a decade between the two due to his disrespect. After Swift’s music sales increased from the coverage of their dues, West pushed the narrative in his 2016 hit song Famous that his public blow up is what ultimately skyrocketed Swift’s career. West’s relationship with religion shifted from a Christian ideal to his belief in him being a higher being to his recent label as a born-again Christian. His evolving “God complex” can be seen as an inflated ego due to mania. “I know he the most high / But I am a close high” - I am a God (2013)