John Legend has finally said what many of us have been thinking – Kanye West is in a downward spiral that began when he lost his mother, but Legend seems to conveniently ignore his own role in bailing on a friend in crisis.
At a Glance
- John Legend claims Kanye West’s “devolution” began after his mother Donda’s death in 2007
- The once-close collaborators had a career-defining partnership during “The College Dropout” era
- Their friendship ended in 2022 over West’s support for Donald Trump and controversial statements
- Legend expressed “sadness and shock” at Kanye’s current behavior and controversial statements
- Fans are divided, with many criticizing Legend for using Donda’s death as an explanation for Kanye’s actions
Hollywood Elite Turn on Their Own When Politics Diverge
The story of John Legend and Kanye West reads like a classic Hollywood tale – two talented artists rise together, until one dares to think differently from the approved narrative. In a recent interview with The Sunday Times, Legend took it upon himself to psychoanalyze his former friend and collaborator, pinpointing the death of Kanye’s mother Donda in 2007 as the moment West began his so-called “devolution.” Funny how Legend had no problem riding Kanye’s coattails to fame and fortune when it benefited his career, but now feels qualified to publicly dissect the man’s mental state.
Legend described their early relationship with surprising sentimentality, reminiscing about a Kanye who was “very passionate, very gifted, and he had big dreams not only for himself but also for all the people around him.” Yet this warm recollection quickly pivots to judgment. It seems the Hollywood elite can only tolerate grief and mental health struggles as long as they don’t lead to questioning liberal orthodoxy. The moment Kanye supported Trump and expressed controversial views, Legend found it impossible to maintain their friendship.
The Convenient Scapegoat of Personal Tragedy
What’s particularly galling is Legend’s attempt to medicalize political disagreement. “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,” Legend stated. This is the classic leftist playbook – when someone strays from approved thinking, they must be suffering from some psychological ailment. Never mind that Legend himself admits, “I don’t think we’re qualified to psychoanalyse him,” before proceeding to do exactly that.
“It does feel sad, sometimes shocking, to see where he 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. I don’t think we’re 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.” – John Legend
The timing of Legend’s revelation is curious. Was Kanye’s support for Donald Trump and his presidential run simply too much for Legend’s delicate political sensibilities? Let’s be clear – Kanye has made troubling statements that deserve criticism. But rather than engage with the substance of those statements or show genuine concern for his former friend’s wellbeing, Legend took the opportunity to pontificate from his moral high ground while conveniently disassociating himself from any responsibility.
Fans Push Back Against Simplistic Narrative
Not everyone is buying Legend’s self-serving narrative. Many fans on social media have rightfully called out the singer for using Donda West’s death as a “crutch” to explain away Kanye’s controversial behavior. One commenter put it bluntly: “Please stop using Donda as a crutch. That don’t got nothing to do with the hatred in his heart.” Another suggested Legend keep his thoughts private: “Stop talking about him. This does not help. Keep it in the group chat and give a cute ‘no comment’ damn.”
The truth is, we’re witnessing a pattern that has become all too familiar in our cultural landscape. When celebrities hold conservative views or support conservative figures, they’re immediately cast as damaged, dangerous, or deranged. Meanwhile, their former friends – safely ensconced in the embrace of acceptable progressive thinking – get to rewrite history and cast themselves as the reasonable ones who just couldn’t tolerate such deviance. What Legend’s interview really reveals isn’t Kanye’s psychological state, but the intolerance of a supposedly tolerant entertainment industry that can’t handle independent thought.
