Ye West, formerly known as Kanye West, is putting up a fight in the divorce process with his ex Kim Kardashian. While the world seems to eat up the juicy drama that flows from the former power couple, this divorce is also a painful visualization of women who become the public target of their toxic ex. Although the Instagram tantrums of West might seem funny, it actually perpetuates a dangerous narrative; that of an abusive ex.
Kim Kardashian (West)
Kim Kardashian married Ye West in 2014. The former couple’s marriage has always been at the center of public attention. Both the reality star Kim Kardashian and her ex Ye West have a huge online following. As a result, the public is, and has always been, very involved with the two stars. Many people have an opinion on the ins and out of both celebrities and are quick to spout their judgment on the realms of social media.
A divorce is something very personal. It involves real people, with real emotions and feelings. There are usually only victims, especially considering that in this case there are four children involved. Unsurprisingly, however, this divorce became the Internet’s center of attention.
Instagram tantrums
In since-deleted Instagram posts, West made several pleas to ‘get his wife back’. In doing so, he made public attacks on Kardashian’s current boyfriend; Pete Davidson. He continuously made fun of the SNL cast member, even going so far as asking his own fans to scream at Davidson in public. West took it several steps further, leaking private text conversations between him and Kardashian. He then also shared a picture of a truck full of roses that were sent to Kardashian.
The oldest child of the two, North, also became a topic of conversation in this online fight. West shared a picture of his daughter North saying that she would be using TikTok without his permission. He then shared a screenshot of TikTok’s guidelines in which he claimed that North should not have an account. The account in question is run by Kim Kardashian.
These are all clear warning signs of an abusive ex, of which Kim Kardashian is the unfortunate victim. West has since apologized saying that he takes “accountability” for his actions that “came off as harassing.” And for a long time, the Keeping Up Reality star remained silent. On February 4, however, she released a statement in response to West’s social media tirade. “Kanye’s constant attacks on me in interviews and on social media is actually more hurtful than any TikTok North might create,” she wrote. “Divorce is difficult enough on our children and Kanye’s obsession with trying to control and manipulate our situation so negatively and publicly is only causing further pain for all. From the beginning I have wanted nothing but a healthy relationship because it is what is best for our children and it saddens me that Kanye continues to make it impossible every step of the way.”
Embed from Getty ImagesAlbum
Coincidentally, or not, Netflix released the first part of West’s documentary on February 16th. Part two is set to release on the 23rd, making his recent media attention come at a very convenient time. Additionally, West is also hyping up part two of his latest Album Donda which will release on February 22nd. Also very conveniently, the album is exclusively available through his own streaming device ‘Stem Player’. The device, which retails at $200, earned the rapper $2.2 million in just one day of sales.
Although the divorce drama seems very unlikely to be a publicity stunt, some point in the direction that West is a master of marketing and self-promotion. Considering the seriousness of the topic, this would be very unlikely, and definitely a new low. But looking at the drama that surrounded the first Donda album, it’s not impossible.
Divorce objection
West’s attorney filed legal documents in court to object Kardashian’s request that she be legally declared single. According to the documents, obtained by Entertainment Today, West wants his assets protected via a set of conditions because “the motion [to be declared single] does not provide the protections necessary for an early termination of marital status.” According to West’s attorney, this is particularly for the case where one of the parties would pass away while a divorce process would still be pending.
The conditions, which were already denied by Kardashian’s legal team, include for example the reimbursement of money to one another in the unlikely event where one of the parties would die. Additionally, West wants to ensure that no money is taken from the trust funds that they created together. Another demand from team West was to waive Kardashian’s marital privilege until they would reach a final custody agreement. This privilege normally protects private communications disclosed between spouses during a valid marriage. But West clearly wants all communications to become public.
Harassment
This set of demands only goes to show to what extent West tries to hold a firm grip on his estranged wife. Rightfully so, Kardashian’s legal team denied all of these conditions. It does however mean that this divorce battle is far from over.
For Vogue’s March cover story, Kim Kardashian opened up about her divorce. “For so long, I did what made other people happy and I think in the last two years I decided, I’m going to make myself happy,” she said. “And that feels really good. And even if that created changes and caused my divorce, I think it’s important to be honest with yourself about what really makes you happy.”
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