Kanye West ‘s recent actions have sparked controversy and raised concerns about his public image. From confrontations with paparazzi to sharing revealing photos of his wife, Bianca Censori , on social media, the rapper’s behavior has come under scrutiny. According to a Hollywood PR expert, these incidents could have lasting repercussions for his brand.
The principal publicist at Haywood Agency Partners for 14 years. Courtney Haywood, tells The Mirror that the current reports will have “long-term” consequences. She refers to West’s bad press regarding Donald Trump , which dates back to May 2018. Haywood clarified, saying, “Kanye West’s outburst at a TMZ reporter undoubtedly has implications for his brand and public image. From a PR perspective, this incident could have both short-term and long-term effects on how he is perceived by the public and media outlets. As we know this is not his first rodeo with going off on a TMZ reporter. Let’s rewind it back to May 2018, where Kanye totally stir up the newsroom over slavery, Trump, along with Free Thought. Ironically, the outburst just hit the same day an insider according to the NY Post, told the Daily Mail that Kanye keeps Censori, his wife from using social media,” as per The Daily Mail . “In the short term, this incident could further damage Kanye West’s reputation as it portrays him in a negative light, potentially alienating him further from some of his fans, brands, and supporters,” Haywood stated.
This is the woke. Never searching for anything of substance only sensational. This was THE MOST authentic response from Kanye. A reporter, a journalist is supposed to report facts instead they want to attempt to humiliate and destroy people. Hooray Charlie Wilson, Kanye and… https://t.co/87K0DbCRas
— Jo Jo Collins (Tammy) (@WorstOfAnything) January 30, 2024
Haywood then added, “The aggressive behavior towards a member of the media can be seen as unprofessional and disrespectful, which may lead to backlash and criticism from the public but at this time I think the public is ‘used to’ Kanye’s behavior.” When West was questioned about his wife Bianca’s freedom, he was shown on camera stealing her cell phone. He then erupted into a profanity-filled rant directed at the journalist, detailing his children’s shared life with his ex-girlfriend Kim Kardashian . To “get ahead” of the already-burning fire.”
Haywood continued, “Kanye West and his team to address the situation promptly and effectively,” from a public relations standpoint. Haywood continued, “A sincere apology or explanation for his actions may help mitigate some of the damage to his brand. Additionally, demonstrating a commitment to improving his behavior and handling of media interactions in the future could help rebuild trust with his audience, brands, and the media. However, the long-term impact of this incident will depend on Kanye West’s ability to learn from this experience and make positive changes moving forward. If he continues to exhibit similar behavior or fails to address the issue adequately, it could have lasting consequences for his brand and reputation. Ultimately, it will be essential for Kanye West to take responsibility for his actions, apologize where necessary , and demonstrate a genuine commitment to personal and professional growth in order to mitigate the negative PR fallout from this incident.”