Kanye West has always been known for making bold statements, whether through his music, fashion, or personal life. Recently, he has been in the spotlight for the way he presents his wife, Bianca Censori, to the public.
Many believe that he is pushing boundaries in a way that some find inappropriate. But for Kanye, this is nothing new. His past relationships have also reflected his strong influence over his partners’ public image.
One of his former partners, actress Julia Fox, opened up in her memoir about what it was like dating him. She revealed that during their short-lived relationship, she often felt like a “show monkey”—a display piece rather than a girlfriend.
Kanye has a long history of styling and showcasing his romantic partners, making fashion a key part of their relationship.
His first marriage to Kim Kardashian, which lasted from 2014 to 2021, was no different. He frequently referred to Kim as his “muse,” shaping her style and helping her become a major force in the fashion world. Some of Kanye’s close acquaintances believe he is now attempting to do the same with Bianca.
“Kanye is trying to make Bianca into a radicalized version of Kim—almost like Kim 2.0,” an insider claimed. “The difference is that when Kim was with Kanye, he was respected in the fashion world. He has since lost this respect.”
Kanye and Bianca have drawn attention for their daring public appearances. But their latest red-carpet moment at the Grammy Awards in Los Angeles caused the biggest stir yet. A viral video captured Kanye instructing his wife to remove her black fur coat, revealing a nearly nude outfit underneath.
The bold look shocked the audience and quickly became the talk of the night.
Lip-reading expert Nicola Hickling analyzed the footage and suggested that Kanye told Bianca, “You’re making a scene now,” before directing her to drop the coat and turn around. She obeyed, and the couple left shortly after. Some reports claimed they were asked to leave, while others insisted they left on their own.
Kanye’s controlling influence over his partners isn’t limited to his marriages. His brief relationship with Julia Fox followed a similar pattern—filled with extravagant outfits, high-profile appearances, and plenty of media attention.
Their whirlwind romance began on New Year’s Eve in Miami, shortly after Kanye’s divorce from Kim. Julia recalled their first meeting, saying, “His energy is so fun to be around.” She admitted they clicked instantly and continued their night together in New York City.
At first, their relationship felt spontaneous and exciting. “I was just going day by day and seeing where it went. It was just like, he still wants to hang out with me today, let’s do it,” she said in an interview.
But as time went on, she started noticing a pattern—every moment with Kanye was carefully orchestrated for the cameras.
Their appearances during Paris Fashion Week made headlines, as they stepped out in coordinated outfits designed to grab attention. Julia later revealed in her memoir, “Down the Drain,” that Kanye was heavily involved in planning her looks.
He even had a team manage her wardrobe, ensuring that every detail fit his artistic vision.
One night at Carbone, a famous New York restaurant, Kanye arranged for photographers to capture their dinner date. The next morning, the images were all over gossip sites. Julia recalled feeling uneasy, realizing she was being put on display. “I felt like a show monkey,” she admitted.
Another moment that stood out to her was when Kanye set up an impromptu photoshoot in a hotel room. The images were later published in Interview magazine. When she mentioned that one of the outfits didn’t fit right, Kanye casually suggested, “You should get a boob job.”
Julia declined but later reflected, “I thought to myself, they’re not so bad.”
By the second month of their relationship, doubts started creeping in. She questioned whether Kanye’s feelings for her were real or if their entire relationship was just a performance for the public. “Was this real, or was I just a little puppet in his game?” she wondered.
Despite the glamour, Julia realized the lifestyle wasn’t sustainable. Constant travel, endless media attention, and Kanye’s unresolved personal struggles made her reconsider. She knew she had to walk away before things got worse.
“The old me might have stayed, but I’ve grown enough to know when to leave,” she said.
On February 14, 2022, a representative confirmed their breakup, stating, “Julia and Kanye remain good friends and collaborators, but they are no longer together.” Later, Julia revealed the real reason she had dated Kanye in the first place.
She admitted she hoped to distract him from Kim Kardashian so that Kim could move on with her life.
“I thought I could help him move past her,” Julia confessed. “But I quickly realized I was being used.” She described herself as Kanye’s “little puppet,” manipulated into playing a role in his ongoing obsession with Kim.
Even after their breakup, Julia felt the impact of her brief romance with Kanye. She suggested that dating him might have hurt her career. “I’ve been up for certain things and couldn’t do it because of dating Kanye. It’s kind of wild,” she reflected.
Julia Fox’s time with Kanye West was a whirlwind—filled with high fashion, media frenzy, and behind-the-scenes drama. At first, it seemed like an adventure, but she soon realized the cost of being in such a publicized relationship.
Ultimately, she walked away with a clearer sense of self and a commitment to protecting her own emotional well-being.
Her experience serves as a powerful reminder: being in the spotlight can come with a price, and sometimes, the best decision is to step away before losing yourself completely.
