Award-winning musician John Legend has broken his silence on his former friend and longtime collaborator, Kanye West, sharing honest thoughts about the rapper’s mental health and controversial behavior.
In an exclusive interview with The Times, Legend expressed deep concern over Kanye’s recent actions, saying he finds the rapper’s evolution both “heartbreaking and shocking.”
Kanye West, who has publicly stated that he is autistic and was misdiagnosed with bipolar disorder, continues to stir controversy with his statements—rekindling debates around how mental health may influence celebrity behavior.
Legend, known for his calm demeanor and advocacy work, noted that watching Kanye’s downward spiral has been painful, especially considering their shared musical journey. He emphasized the importance of compassion but didn’t shy away from holding Kanye accountable.
“It does feel sad, sometimes shocking, to see where he [Kanye West] is now… I didn’t see a hint of what we are seeing now, his obsessions with antisemitism, anti-blackness, and it is sad to see his devolution,” He said.
“But, I don’t think we are qualified to psychoanalyse him, but after his mother passed in 2007 there was definitely a difference. His descent started then and seems to have accelerated recently.” he added.