Hip-Hop Star Confesses Autism Diagnosis Was a Misdiagnosis of Bipolar Disorder

Repeated Controversies Over Anti-Semitic and Pro-Nazi Remarks
Criticism Also Raised Over Wife Censori's Revealing Performances

American hip-hop star Kanye West (Ye) revealed that he was diagnosed with autism by a specialist. On the 6th (local time), Yonhap News Agency reported, citing the US daily New York Times (NYT) and CNN, that West was diagnosed with autism. In a podcast interview released the day before, West spoke about his mental health and confessed that his previous diagnosis of bipolar disorder was a misdiagnosis.

American hip-hop star Kanye West (Ye) revealed that he was diagnosed with autism by a specialist. On the 6th (local time), Yonhap News quoted the US daily New York Times (NYT) and CNN, reporting that West was diagnosed with autism. Getty Images · Yonhap News

He then said that, following his wife's recommendation to get re-examined, he visited a doctor who had previously counseled singer Justin Bieber and "found out that I actually fall under autism." He explained, "Autism makes people fixate more on one thing when others tell them not to, like in the movie 'Rain Man.'"

He has previously expressed or hinted in his albums and songs that he suffers from bipolar disorder. Starting as a record producer and achieving great success with his own albums, West once became a leading star on the pop stage. However, since around 2020, he has caused multiple controversies with statements praising anti-Semitism and Nazism. Subsequently, he was almost ousted from the US entertainment industry, and famous brands that once collaborated with him, such as Adidas, declared severance of ties.

US media noted that West's remarks about his mental health came shortly after his wife, model Bianca Censori, sparked a 'nudity' controversy in public, drawing attention. On the 2nd, at the pre-Red Carpet event of the Grammy Awards, Censori surprised people by standing in front of cameras wearing a transparent mesh fabric clinging to her body, barely covering her body, making it difficult to call it clothing.

At that time, West stood expressionless beside Censori, watching the scene. Since this Grammy Awards was prepared as a consolation and fundraising event for the victims of the LA wildfires, there were uncomfortable views regarding Censori's nudity. Amid this, some speculate that Censori's frequent wearing of revealing outfits is influenced by West. The NYT reported that questions continue to be raised about whether Censori's revealing appearances were intended by West.