Latest news with #KanyeWest
BBC News
a day ago
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Diddy On Trial Kanye West's ex-assistant 'has gone into hiding' after filing sexual assault claims
Anoushka Mutanda-Dougherty and guests discuss the latest allegations against Kanye West from his former chief of staff. He denies all the claims from Lauren Pischiotta. A warning, this programme contains graphic descriptions of rape and sexual assault allegations. They also talk through Nicki Minaj's latest social media spat with SZA and how Sean 'Diddy' Combs's sentence will be decided after his conviction for transportation for prostitution. Anoushka speaks to criminal defence attorney Shaun Kent and crisis PR manager Molly McPherson. Got questions? Send us a Whatsapp message on 0330 678 111 4 or find Anoushka on social media. Subscribe to Fame Under Fire on BBC Sounds and turn on push notifications so you never miss an episode. We'll let you know as soon as new episodes are available. Host: Anoushka Mutanda-Dougherty Series Producer: Laura Jones Senior Impact Producer: Melanie Stewart-Smith Production Coordinator: Tammy Snow Technical Producer: Craig Boardman Editor: Clare Fordham Assistant Commissioning Producer: Rechmial Miller Commissioning Producer: Adam Eland Assistant Commissioner: Will Drysdale Commissioning Editor: Rhian Roberts
BBC News
a day ago
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Kanye West's ex-assistant in hiding after filing sexual assault claims, lawyer says
Kanye West's former assistant is scared and still in hiding after filing sexual assault claims against the rapper, her lawyer has told the Pisciotta, 36, who started working for West in 2021, first filed a lawsuit against him in June 2024 alleging she was sexually harassed and updated claims, which were filed this year, she accused West, also known as Ye, of sex trafficking, stalking, assault and denies her claims, which he calls a "fantasy fiction".The civil case is due to return to court in the US next month, but Ms Pisciotta's lawyer says his client is currently in hiding and is "afraid".Warning: Readers may find some details in this story distressing Speaking to the BBC, Arick Fudali said Ms Pisciotta had now deleted most of her internet presence and is now "just sort of sitting around and hiding - letting this lawsuit play out".He added: "It's really sad - she's gone through a lot. She is suffering and has been suffering since she began working for Mr West."Ms Pisciotta started working for West in 2021 and first filed her lawsuit against the rapper on 3 June 2024 alleging sexual harassment, breach of contract and wrongful this month, an amended claim was filed alleging that six days later she became a victim of targeted "swatting", which she claims West was involves the reporting of serious crimes at a specific location in order to prompt law enforcement to raid the site. Anoushka Mutanda-Dougherty hosts the BBC Sounds 'Fame Under Fire' podcast, scrutinising the trending celebrity stories, and getting to the truth behind the timeline. Available wherever you get your BBC podcasts. In Ms Pisciotta's amended lawsuit, filed on 10 July 2025, she claims she was "bombarded with unwanted, harassing, and alarming" visits from the police. In one instance, she says the Palm Beach Sheriff's office performed an armed raid at her property in Florida after receiving a report that Ms Pisciotta had killed her own Pisciotta also claims that around this time she started to receive phone calls from individuals warning her not to pursue the lawsuit and that she would not "prevail" against West. Ms Pisciotta alleges that during her time working for West she was repeatedly sexually assaulted and one occasion, while working on the DONDA album, Ms Pisciotta claims that West came to her hotel room and demanded to use her shower. The document details that after some time he came out of the bathroom and dropped his towel revealing his penis and she claims he raped her Pisciotta also claims that West frequently engaged in sexual activity with Yeezy - the company founded by the rapper - staff members in the office and that he would record the encounters and send them to her. She says he would frequently text her about sexual fantasies involving Pisciotta also claims that West "exposed his employees to extreme displays of racism and antisemitism on a daily basis. "Ye constantly used derogatory, antisemitic slurs, and interrogated employees he suspected were Jewish. On multiple occasions, Ye demanded that his assistants and other employees draw swastikas in the workplace," the lawsuit says. West responds In an interview with the BBC's Fame Under Fire podcast, Mr Fudali highlighted that some of West's posts on social media appear to admit some of her Fudali told presenter Anoushka Mutanda-Dougherty: "He [West] has a song called Heil Hitler. He calls himself a walking 'Me Too'. He admits to sexually harassing his employees. You see all that he's done publicly, you can imagine what he has done in private."West's social media posts do not directly admit guilt to any legal claims and his team strongly deny the Fudali says all of West's tweets will be brought up as evidence during his deposition with the rapper and shown in court during the BBC asked West's team for a response to the claims. His team did not reply but West's spokesperson previously told USA Today: "Lauren Pisciotta's amended complaint is the fourth version she has advanced. Each new revision contradicts the others."It goes on to call the latest claim a "breathless new instalment of fantasy fiction [that] discredits all past, present and future testimony".The spokesperson added: "We stand ready to annihilate Ms Pisciotta's tall tales before a jury − an exoneration so inevitable that even she, lost in her fog of fantasy, must surely see it coming."If you are affected by any of the issues in this story, details of help and support are available at BBC Action Line
The Sun
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Kanye West puts Calabasas condo he won in Kim Kardashian divorce on the market for $3 million amid financial mess
KANYE West has put his luxury Calabasas condo on the market for almost $3 million after falling behind on property taxes. The U.S. Sun can confirm Kanye, 48, was given the property in his divorce from Kim Kardashian, which was finalized in November 2022. 4 4 Property documents show the three-bed, four-bath home went up for sale last week with a price tag of $2,950,000. It was first purchased in 2017 for $1,600,000 and was on and off the market until the divorce went through and Kanye was able to keep it. The Brutalist-inspired residence by Belgian architect and designer Vincent Van Duysen is on brand for the rapper, who often favors a minimalist look. The property, part of Kanye's crumbling real estate empire, is located within the private gates of the Calabasas Avanti enclave, just minutes from the Kardashians' main properties. It has wide-plank European oak floors and custom plaster walls that "dissolve the boundaries between art and architecture," according to an online bio. There is a semi-private elevator that takes guests into a foyer that opens to the central living space. It offers open-plan living, dining, and kitchen areas with top-of-the-range appliances, and every element is bespoke, from the decor to the windows and lighting designed by Duysen's studio. "Three en-suite bedrooms provide restful sanctuaries, two of which open onto private terraces that extend the living experience outdoors," the description adds. BEHIND ON TAXES The main suite occupies its own wing and features a spa-inspired bath with a soaking tub, sculptural vanities, and curated hardware. Residents in the building have access to communal areas, including a pool, spa, gym, and outdoor entertainment spaces. The U.S. Sun obtained documents that show Kanye has not paid taxes on the home since 2023, and owes more than $60,000, with the property currently listed as "delinquent." It is one of three homes in the area that Kanye acquired after his divorce, but he doesn't live in any of them. He owns multiple other homes but has barely paid any property taxes in recent years, racking up a bill of more than $300,000 with added monthly penalties. Kanye's owes the most on his derelict $6.7 million Yeezy HQ in West Hollywood, which remains empty after he had the roof torn off for reconstruction before abandoning it. The U.S. Sun has made attempts to reach Kanye for comment regarding his unpaid property taxes. His most recent purchase is his $35 million abode in Beverly Hills that he bought late last year with his second wife, Bianca Censori. The 20,000-square-foot property has an outdoor pool and tennis court and sits on a seven-acre plot of land. Kanye's mansion also includes an entertainment pavilion connected to the main house, plus a pool house and a gazebo. HOTEL LIFE Kanye's latest real estate purchase comes after he finally officially sold his crumbling Malibu mansion. Before finding a buyer last summer, the property sat on the market for around six months. Ye bought the home in 2021, after which he infamously gutted and abandoned it. The mansion was first listed for sale in December 2023 for $53 million, but he was forced to drop the price to $39 million. Despite the wildfires destroying many homes in Malibu, Kanye's former home was untouched. Kanye owns homes in both Los Angeles and Wyoming, but he prefers to spend time living in luxury hotels. They have had long stints in the likes of the Chateau Marmont and the Four Seasons Hotels in recent months. It's harder to keep up with Kanye than his ex-wife and her family, as he barely stays in one place". He has also been spending a significant amount of time in Japan since tying the knot with Bianca, amid arguments over seeing his four children with Kim. The former couple has joint legal custody and share North, 11, Saint, 9, Chicago, 7, and Psalm, 6. 4
The Sun
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Rock legend Gavin Rossdale reveals dream of returning to Glasto and why he needs to be on his best behaviour
Gavin Rossdale has spent three decades in the rock 'n' roll spotlight since the release of Bush's debut album Sixteen Stone and admits he's always on his best behaviour now. 'I've been thinking about the kind of people who would pay to do me in,' Gavin laughs as I join him at the Sound Studio in London to celebrate the release of Bush 's tenth record, I Beat Loneliness. 9 'I'm at the point where I'm a really successful working musician. 'I can never go anywhere where I'm anonymous. 'My behaviour has to be really excellent at all times because there's always someone with a camera phone — but I'm not like Kanye West.' The record, with brilliant tracks like The Land of Milk and Honey and Everyone Is Broken, is an ode, Gavin says, to Bush's fans, who have been with them since they broke into the scene in 1995. 'I wanted to make a record for the people who have gotten stuff from our records,' Gavin explains. 'It's about me, but I realised that I'm no different than anyone else. 'I think that everyone is just fighting different battles at all times. But it's important to have so much fun in life. Keep him grounded 'Life is beautiful, but it has its kind of moments where just out of nowhere, people will just f**k with you or life f**ks with you and things happen to you, to people you love. 'So writing a record that spoke to that experience just seemed the most valuable thing to do.' He adds: 'Plus, I don't have any stories of holidays on yachts. So I didn't know what to write about. "Every time I look at Instagram, I go, 'Why is that not me?' Leo [DiCaprio ] has never invited me anywhere.' Gavin is now based in the US but he returned to the UK to walk his model daughter Daisy Lowe down the aisle this month. Back in the US, it's his sons, Kingston, Zuma and Apollo, from his marriage to Gwen Stefani, who keep him grounded. 'My recording room is in the bedroom between two of my kids' rooms,' Gavin says. 'I did a remix of Machinehead, one of our earliest songs, and to be honest, I was impressed with myself. "And my 17-year-old son, who's a really good guitar player, walks in and he goes, 'You're not releasing that?' 'I was like, 'What do you mean?' He goes, 'You're taking legend and you're really destroying it.'' Recalling another grounding incident from Kingston, Gavin adds: 'We were on holiday and I was going on tour two days later. "I had guitars in the house that had been used by the kids and I didn't get a chance to practice. 'I started to play one of the songs and he walked in and he goes, 'Do you want any help with that?' 'I took the bait. I was like, 'Look at this house. This is how we got here!' 'I was super defensive. But he was right. I hadn't been playing so I was a bit fingers and thumbs. "He caught me on an upswing. I was like, 'Come to see our second night on tour and then you'll see, son.'' Bush's new album is the perfect follow-up to 2022's The Art of Survival with Scars and I'm Here to Save Your Life proof that Gavin is still a killer songwriter. 9 He says: 'When you've made a lot of records you do think, does anyone need any more. 'But then you have people say, 'Please don't stop making records.' A girl said this to me outside the back of a gig. 'And that stuck with me.' Next in the works for Gavin and Bush is a UK tour, which will hopefully become a reality next year after they've finished supporting Volbeat. 'The idea of doing that Volbeat tour is to sort of stoke the fires,' Gavin says. 'It's a wild, competitive world. And if you don't take things personally, like for me, I haven't played enough of those festivals. 'But instead of moaning about it, it's just sort of like, get out there, make a great record, do a great show all across Europe and then see what happens.' Glastonbury 2027 could also be in the pipeline — with the festival's next date coinciding with the 25th anniversary of Bush last playing there. 'I thought we did quite well when we played there, but we never went back so it could be time,' says Gavin. 'I would love to play Glastonbury. I still remember that show. 'It's brilliant and it would be 25 years . . .' All the more reason to get Emily Eavis on the blower then, Gavin. Lott of reasons to smile 9 Pixie Lott did the best rendition of her 2009 hit Mama Do at We Are Wirral Festival. The pop star, who is seven months pregnant, took off her shoes and danced like crazy in this chic animal print dress at the event. Pixie announced she was expecting her second baby with husband, model Oliver Cheshire, last month. She thrilled fans by revealing the news live on stage at Mighty Hoopla by grabbing her tummy and shouting: 'I'm having another baby.' Her first son, Bertie, was born in 2023 and by the time his third birthday rolls around – there should be another member of the Lott family in the fold. Two kids under three is a challenge for any parent, Pixie – you got this. Sophie sweet on pop album 9 Sabrina Carpenter, Dua Lipa and Chappell Roan have helped make pop cool again, but Sophie Ellis-Bextor insists she isn't riding on anyone's coattails. She is making a spectacular return with her album Perimenopop, which will be out in September, but said she isn't capitalising on the resurgence of fun tunes, or a result of Murder on the Dancefloor becoming a viral sensation. In an exclusive chat, Sophie said: 'I was already planning to make a pop album before I released my last record, because my last record. "It was a little bit more escapist and introverted, so I thought right, it's time to bounce to the other side now, the extrovert side. 'What happened with Murder was just a lovely bit of serendipity that made me feel like my instincts were in the right space.' And it sounds like she has fulfilled all her dreams when it came to making it, after teaming up with MNEK and Cathy Dennis, who wrote Toxic for Britney Spears and Can't Get You Out of My Head for Kylie Minogue. She said: 'Do you know what, I went to the full pop sweet shop for this album and I filled up my bag with as many sweets as I could, so I think I got my fill, actually.' She worked with her husband, the Feeling's Richard Jones, on the record too, but they still have fun away from the music. Sophie added: 'Richard and I just had our 20th wedding anniversary, which is pretty cool. 'We got married in Italy, so we went back to Italy, just the two of us, for a few nights without the kids. 'To do something that was just about us and not about gigs or delegating stuff with the family was really nice.' Selena's love for Tay 9 Selena Gomez celebrates her 33rd birthday today and she's in a reflective mood. The American singer shared a series of never-before-seen snaps from a pre-birthday get-together with her pals, including Taylor Swift and her fiancé Benny Blanco. Selena said: 'This past year has truly been the most beautiful year of my life, and I owe so much of that to all of you. Thank you for your unwavering love and kindness. 'Whether you cheered me on from the sidelines, shared in my highs and lows, or simply offered a listening ear, you have made this year unforgettable. 'I am extremely humbled and insanely appreciative of all your love.' I'll be raising a pint to you tonight, Selena. Not that I ever need much of an excuse. Giggs gig hits summer groove 9 Somerset House saved the best until last with one of my favourite rappers, Giggs, invited to close their Summer Series. Waterloo Bridge would have been shaking on Sunday night after he took to the stage in front of a massive crowd as the London venue celebrated its 25th anniversary of concerts. Last week he dropped a new song with his son ML which touches on their experience of autism. Own Motion, which was originally written and released by ML, tells his story of feeling like he didn't fit in. Giggs is now on a remix of the song and opened up about his experience of the condition – admitting his autism saw him being labelled a 'troublemaker' when he was young. He said: 'I was always getting in trouble. 'I always used to answer back, get kicked out of class every single day until I just thought: 'Well, I'm bad'.' More tearjerkers from hitmaker Capaldi Lewis Capaldi has said his upcoming EP will be his most personal music to date – which is really saying something given he already has two albums of tearjerkers under his belt. He marked his return by topping the charts earlier this month with comeback single Survive. While his new songs will tell all about his two-year hiatus from showbiz and his mental health struggles. Speaking to a US radio station, he explained: 'I'm trying to sing different, on different songs, and I feel like the new stuff is a bit more personal. 'A lot of it is about the last two years and what I've been going through and stuff. The music is more about me than relationships and stuff. 'I'm really pleased with it. I like it. It's definitely harder. 'I got to a point where writing songs about relationships became really… I don't want to say easy, it wasn't easy, it's never easy writing songs. 'I find writing songs really difficult these days but writing songs about stuff you're still processing perhaps and the stuff you don't like talking about has been really hard.' Ellie has plenty of six appeal 9 Ellie Goulding is preparing to bare her soul on her upcoming sixth album. She opened up to her fans as she celebrated the fifth anniversary of her No1 album Brightest Blue and said: 'If you guys liked this album I fear the next might be your new favourite . . . I've been working on it for so long. 'Guitars, bass, strings, harmonies for days, saddest words I ever wrote, best writers and musicians in the world – I am so lucky – and refusing to sound like anything else out there. 'Going to be interesting for sure.' Ellie saw her last record, Higher Than Heaven, go straight to No1 in 2023 and I've no doubt her sixth record is sure to hit the same dizzy heights. Fans of Avatar are in for a treat – as the first trailer for the next instalment, Fire and Ash, is going to be shown across cinemas from today. Film buffs heading to watch The Fantastic Four: First Steps will be the first to see the clips from the new James Cameron epic - which is out on December 19. Charli's hall date sees rise 9 If you're getting married soon and are considering a town hall venue – you might have to get in there quick. After Charli XCX and George Daniel had their first formal ceremony at Hackney Town Hall at the weekend, I'm told demand for these venues is already getting out of hand. According to new research there has been a 156 per cent increase in Google searches for 'town hall wedding' – with a massive spike on Sunday after we revealed the details of Charli and the 1975 drummer George's very brat big day. I'm getting wed in 2027 but luckily for me, I've already booked my little village church.
Daily Mail
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Justin Bieber's ex manager Scooter Braun takes brutal jab at former friend Kanye West
Justin Bieber 's ex manager Scooter Braun took a jab at his former friend Kanye West in a new interview. Braun, 44, shared where he stands with the controversial rapper, 48, following his numerous antisemitic statements and a song praising Adolf Hitler. 'I don't know him anymore,' the Jewish music executive said while appearing on an episode of the Question Everything podcast on Thursday. Speaking of Kanye's antisemitic social media posts, Braun — whose grandparents are Holocaust survivors — said: 'I think the person that I knew wasn't someone who says those things.' 'Sometimes the hardest thing to do with someone you care about is mourn them while they're still here,' Braun, who managed Kanye for 'two to three years', went on. 'The person that I knew is not the person that I'm seeing, so I don't have a relationship anymore.' He added, 'I'd rather stand proudly in who I am and who my people are, and be gracious and kind to all people, than be a part of that.' When asked if Kim Kardashian's ex-husband could potentially be redeemed, the music mogul — who officially parted ways with Bieber in 2023 — reiterated that he no longer knows him. He added, 'I have three beautiful kids that need a dad to focus on them and make sure they're prepared and strong in this world. That's going to be my focus.' It comes after West released a song praising Hitler. The track, titled Heil Hitler, was dropped by the singer on May 8 and was deemed to be 'promoting Nazism'. His chosen day to release the song was also of significance because it fell on VE Day - the 80-year anniversary of when fighting against Nazi Germany in Europe came to an end. He claimed that be became a Nazi because of his custody battle with ex Kim over their four children, singing: 'With all of my money and fame I still don't get to see my children / N*****s see my Twitter but they don't see how I be feeling / So I became a Nazi, yeah b***h, I'm the villain.' The line, 'N****r, heil Hitler' is repeated 15 times in the song. Kanye has remained in the crosshairs of controversy for much of the year amid a torrent of posts propagating antisemitism. On February 11, the shop on Kanye's Yeezy Website - which he advertised with an expensive ad during the Super Bowl - was taken offline by Shopify after he was selling a white shirt with a black swastika in the center. However, the rapper seemingly did a 180 following substantial backlash and in May he renounced antisemitism via X, writing 'I am done with antisemitism' before adding 'I love all people.' It comes after Scooter was fiercely slammed by Taylor Swift fans after he seemed to claim elsewhere in the interview that his drama with the singer led to the 'biggest moment of her career.' The music mogul reflected on his purchase and ultimate sale of the Cruel Summer songstress' masters. Scooter famously bought the rights to Taylor's old songs when he acquired her former record label in 2019 for $300 million. At the time, the hitmaker, 35, said she was blindsided by the news, and accused Scooter of 'incessant, manipulative bullying.' Taylor went on to re-recorded many of her old albums, and Scooter eventually sold the songs to an investment firm called Shamrock Holdings for $405 million. The singer then bought the masters back in May for a deal reportedly worth $360 million. 'She did incredibly well and basically had the biggest moment of her career, reinvigorating her career with each one,' he said of her re-recorded albums. 'It was brilliant on her part. But also, each time she released one, you saw a spike in the original catalog.' Despite Taylor's initial and very public upset over the news that he had bought her old songs, Scooter insisted that 'everyone won' in the end. 'Funny enough, everyone involved in the saga, from a business standpoint, won,' he continued. 'She's the biggest she's ever been, biggest artist of all time. We did really well with the asset. The people who bought the asset did really well because of those spikes.'
