The famous rapper is once again making headlines, but not just for his music. This time, it’s about how he presents his wife in public—a way that many people find controversial. But this isn’t new for him. In fact, his ex-girlfriend once said that being with him made her feel like a “show monkey.”
Kanye West has a history of dressing up his partners in bold, sometimes shocking outfits. He sees fashion as part of his artistic expression, and the women in his life often become part of that vision. But does this come at a cost?
One of the people who knows this firsthand is Julia Fox, the actress and model who briefly dated West. In her memoir, she opened up about what it was really like being with him. Their relationship was short, but it left a lasting impression.
Kanye’s Influence on His Partners
West’s first marriage was to Kim Kardashian, lasting from 2014 to 2021. He didn’t just love her—he called her his “muse” and played a huge role in shaping her public image.
He helped her transition from reality TV star to a fashion icon, choosing her outfits, setting up photoshoots, and introducing her to top designers. Some believe he’s now trying to do the same with his new wife, Bianca Censori.
“Kanye is trying to make Bianca into a radicalized version of Kim—almost like Kim 2.0,” an insider revealed. “The difference is that when Kim was with Kanye, he had respect in the fashion world. He’s lost that now.”
Since marrying Censori, West has sparked controversy with her increasingly revealing outfits. Their latest appearance at the Grammy Awards in Los Angeles took things even further.
A video that quickly went viral captured a tense moment between them. West was seen instructing his wife to take off her black fur coat, leaving her in an almost nude outfit that shocked the crowd.
Lip-reading expert Nicola Hickling analyzed the footage and suggested that West told her, “You’re making a scene now.” Then, he directed her to drop the coat and turn around.
She hesitated but ultimately followed his instructions before they left the event. Some reports claimed they were asked to leave, while others suggested they left on their own. Either way, the moment left people talking.
Julia Fox’s Whirlwind Romance
Kanye’s controlling nature over his partners’ images didn’t start with Censori. Julia Fox also experienced it during their short-lived romance in early 2022, just after his divorce from Kardashian. At first, it felt like a dream. Fox described their first meeting on New Year’s Eve in Miami, saying, “His energy is so fun to be around.”
The attraction was instant, and they decided to continue their night in New York City. Things moved quickly, and Fox didn’t think too far ahead. “I was just going day by day, seeing where it went,” she admitted. “It was just like, he still wants to hang out with me today, let’s do it.”
Their relationship made even more headlines when they appeared at Paris Fashion Week, dressed in matching outfits. Looking back, Fox realized it was all carefully planned by West. In her memoir, “Down the Drain,” she revealed how he would even move their dinner table so they’d be more visible to photographers.
He also put together a team to manage her wardrobe, making sure every look was perfect for the cameras.
At first, Fox found it exciting. It was a level of fame and attention she had never experienced before. But soon, she started to feel like she was just another piece in West’s carefully curated world.
One moment that stood out was a dinner at New York’s Carbone restaurant. West arranged for paparazzi to take photos, and the next morning, their images appeared on Page Six. The experience left Fox feeling like a “show monkey,” put on display for the world to see.
Another time, West set up an impromptu photoshoot in a hotel room, later publishing the images in Interview magazine. During the shoot, Fox mentioned that one of the outfits didn’t fit her properly. West’s response? He casually suggested she get a boob job. Fox laughed it off, but she later thought to herself, “They’re not so bad.”
By the second month of their relationship, cracks started to show. She began to wonder if their connection was real or if she was just part of a “showmance”—a relationship designed for media attention.
She realized that the constant traveling and public spectacle weren’t sustainable. And West had his own personal struggles that she wasn’t willing to take on.
“An earlier version of me might have stayed,” she admitted. “But I had grown enough to know when to walk away.”
On February 14, 2022, their breakup was confirmed. A representative released a statement: “Julia and Kanye remain good friends and collaborators, but they are no longer together.”
The Aftermath
Months later, Fox revealed a shocking truth—she had dated West as a distraction. “I wanted to help Kim move on,” she admitted, hoping to keep West occupied so he wouldn’t interfere with Kardashian’s life.
At one point, she even believed their relationship had real potential. She thought she could help him heal and move forward. But she soon realized she was just another pawn in his game. “I was his little puppet,” she confessed.
Looking back, she feels that dating him may have hurt her career. “I’ve been up for certain things and couldn’t do them because of dating Kanye. It’s kind of wild,” she said, hinting that she may have been blacklisted in certain circles.
A Price to Pay for Fame
Julia Fox’s time with Kanye West was a whirlwind—full of high fashion, media frenzy, and behind-the-scenes drama. At first, it felt thrilling, but it came at a cost.
In the end, she walked away with a clearer understanding of what she wanted—and what she wouldn’t accept in a relationship. Her story is a reminder of how easy it is to get caught up in the glitz and glamour, but also how important it is to know when to step away.
