Topline
Kanye West’s latest controversial outbursts have included wearing shirts with “White Lives Matter” printed on them, making several anti-Semitic remarks, spreading false information about the death of George Floyd and buying right-wing social media site Parler—but crisis communications and public relations experts told Forbes “it’s not going to be a career killer” for the rapper and fashion designer until his fans turn on him.
Kanye West attends the “The Greatest Lie Ever Sold” Premiere Screening on October 12, 2022 in … [+]
Key Facts
West has angered the group that Howard Bragman, CEO of the Beverly Hills-based crisis communications firm La Brea Communications, called the “politically correct audience”— the media, managers, agents, publicists—”they’re going to say ‘he’s nuclear, stay away,’” Bragman told Forbes.
What makes West’s problems “survivable in some measure” is the support of his fans, who have not yet abandoned him, Bragman said.
Erik Bernstein, president of Bernstein Crisis Management, located outside of Denver, said that West is “pushing the line” right now, but it won’t be until diehard fans “say ‘we can’t spend money with this guy anymore,’” when “we could say his career as he’s known it could be coming towards an end.”
Instead, Bragman predicted West will experience a “shadow ban:” his music will be played, people will continue to buy it, but he won’t be invited to present at awards shows, for example.
Many fans have yet to disavow West because of what they know about his previous behavior, the experts said, citing West’s public battle with bipolar disorder and similar outbursts in the past: “People expect this from Kanye, so it is less impactful,” Bernstein said.
Still, both Bragman and Bernstein agreed that if West continues for months “on this downward spiral” as Bragman called it, there could be a real, monetary impact on his career.
Crucial Quote
“The public will forgive a lot from a performer if they can continue to bring the product that made them famous in the first place,” Bernstein said. “If this was a CEO, they’d be gone. But [entertainers and athletes] are just in a different stratosphere, where if you can produce, if you can deliver, then you get forgiven for a lot more in those industries.”
Tangent
Bragman and Bernstein had different strategies for what West could do in order to get in good graces again. Bragman, who reportedly worked with Nick Cannon in 2020 when he faced backlash for making anti-Semitic comments, suggested a three-pronged approach. “One, you have to apologize sincerely. Two, you have to do something cathartic,” to show that you’re learning or making amends (Cannon visited the Simon Wiesenthal Center and Museum of Tolerance). “And three, your actions have to show that,” Bragman said, though he doubts West will do this. “I don’t think he feels like he did anything wrong,” he said. Bernstein suggested that West “get out of the public eye and let people move on,” and return only “when he has something to pull people’s attention,” like a new song. “But I expect that Kanye would not like that advice,” he said.
Key Background
West, who goes by Ye, and conservative commentator Candace Owens wore “White Lives Matter” shirts at his Yeezy fashion show in Paris earlier this month. Soon after, West was temporarily banned from Twitter and Instagram for making anti-Semitic posts on the platforms, including saying he was going to go “death con 3” on Jewish people. Days later, unaired footage leaked from West’s recent interview with Tucker Carlson, which included him making more anti-Semitic claims. After West wore the “White Lives Matter” shirt, Adidas said it was putting its relationship with his company Yeezy under review. In a recent interview on “Drink Champs,” West spoke against the “Jewish media” and falsely claimed George Floyd was killed by fentanyl, and not by police officer Derek Chauvin kneeling on his neck. Host N.O.R.E apologized Monday for airing the conversation with West. That same day, Parler announced West said he would buy the social media platform, whose parent company Parlement Technologies is run by Owens’ husband, George Farmer.
Further Reading
Kanye West Is Buying Right-Wing Social Media Platform Parler (Forbes)
Kanye’s Troubles Deepen: Ex-TMZ Staffer Says Star Praised Hitler, Talk Show Kills Interview (Forbes)
Twitter Locks Kanye West’s Account After Post About Jewish People (Forbes)
Kanye West Claims LVMH CEO Bernard Arnault ‘Killed’ His ‘Best Friend’ (Forbes)
Kanye West Wears ‘White Lives Matter’ Shirt At Yeezy Fashion Show (Forbes)
Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/marisadellatto/2022/10/17/the-fate-of-kanye-wests-career-is-in-his-fans-hands-pr-professionals-say/