Kanye West has once again found himself at the center of public attention after his lavish birthday celebrations raised eyebrows.
The rapper marked his birthday with an extravagant masquerade theme in France with his wife, Bianca Censoriwhile also opening up about her support during a difficult period in his mental health journey.
However, the celebrations come as Kanye West faces fresh backlash ahead of upcoming concerts in Tampa, where planned protests are expected over his past anti-Semitic remarks and actions.
West reportedly marked his recent birthday with an extravagant masquerade-themed celebration at the historic Château de Versailles in France, said to have cost $400,000.
According to Page sixthe rapper and producer, who turned 49 on June 8, hosted more than 20 guests for the lavish gathering at the famous palace before the festivities continued at the nearby luxury Airelles Hotel.
For the occasion, West embraced the event’s dramatic theme, wearing an all-black ensemble that included a face covering, jacket, leather pants, boots and matching gloves.
His wife, Bianca Censori, opted for a striking cream satin outfit with a structured corset-style bodysuit paired with a coordinating skirt. She completed the look with a feathered headdress that hid much of her face and satin wedge heels.
More on Kanye West’s lavish birthday party
Many of the attendees at West’s party adhered 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, along with a heartfelt message expressing her affection for her husband.
“Happy birthday @ye. I love you more than life,” Censori wrote while describing the “heartless” rapper as her “ride or die 4ever” in another post.
Kanye West credits Bianca Censori with helping him through mental health issues
The couple also reportedly spent part of the birthday weekend in Amsterdam, where they were seen dining at the exclusive Ciel Bleu restaurant before jetting off together.
The Amsterdam outing was just the latest in a string of high-profile appearances for West and Censori, who often 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 night on the town at the Chateau Marmont in Los Angeles, where her bold outfit sparked widespread discussion online. The couple married in 2022 and have remained together through several controversial moments that have 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 navigate a major depressive episode that followed changes to his medication.
In an interview with Vanity FairWest said his wife recognized the warning signs and helped him seek treatment, including support from a rehabilitation facility in Switzerland. He credited her with helping him through what he described as one of the lowest periods of his life.
Meanwhile, West is facing renewed controversy ahead of upcoming concerts in Tampa, where protests are expected despite failed attempts to cancel the shows.
Ahead of the rapper’s scheduled shows, organizers have announced plans to deploy protest vehicles to circulate around the venue as concertgoers arrive. The demonstrations follow a campaign led by Senator Rick Scott, who called on local authorities to block the events because of West’s history of anti-Semitic remarks and controversial public statements.
Earlier this month, Scott launched a petition calling on the Tampa Sports Authority to cancel the 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 antisemite” and pointed to a series of past remarks and actions that have caused backlash. He argued that allowing the concerts to continue at a publicly funded venue would be offensive to many members of Florida’s Jewish community.
He added. “Forcing them to support these concerts through their tax dollars is a complete slap in the face to Jews in Florida and across the country and the world.”
The controversy plaguing the West stems from a series of inflammatory comments he made beginning in 2022. Over the years, he received criticism for social media posts praising Adolf Hitler, identifying himself as a Nazi and targeting Jews.
He also faced backlash after selling merchandise with swastika images through his fashion label’s website.
In January, however, West appeared to reverse course by releasing a public statement expressing support for the Jewish people and attributing some of his past behavior to the effects of a brain injury.
The statement was met with mixed reactions, with some welcoming the apology while others remained skeptical.
His comeback effort has since faced obstacles internationally, with reports indicating that the UK refused him an entry visa, leading to the cancellation of planned performances, while another planned concert in Poland was also cancelled.
