Kanye West and Bianca Censori | Source: Getty Images
Kanye West’s former girlfriend, Julia Fox, opened up in her memoir about how he treated her during their brief romance. The musician has a well-documented history of showcasing his partners through his bold and unconventional fashion choices.
West’s relationships have always intertwined with his artistic vision, with fashion playing a central role in how he presents his partners to the public.
Kanye West attends the Vanity Fair Oscar party on February 9, 2020, in Beverly Hills, California. | Source: Getty Images
His first marriage to Kim Kardashian lasted from 2014 to 2021, during which he often called her his “muse” and played a key role in shaping her style.
Some close to him believe he is now attempting to do the same with his now-wife, Bianca Censori. “Kanye is trying to make Bianca into a radicalized version of Kim—almost like Kim 2.0,” an insider claimed. “The difference is that when Kim was with Kanye, he was respected in the fashion world. He has since lost this respect.”
Kanye West and Kim Kardashian leave K.West's Sunday Service on March 1, 2020, in Paris, France. | Source: Getty Images
West and Censori have drawn attention for their provocative public appearances in recent years, but their latest red-carpet moment at the Grammy Awards in Los Angeles pushed boundaries even further.
In a widely circulated video, the rapper was seen instructing his wife to remove her black fur coat, exposing a bold and nearly nude ensemble that stunned onlookers.
Lip-reading expert Nicola Hickling analyzed the footage, suggesting West told Censori, “You’re making a scene now,” before directing her to drop the coat behind her and turn.
Kanye West and Bianca Censori attend the 67th Annual Grammy Awards on February 2, 2025, in Los Angeles, California. | Source: Getty Images
The movie star, who wed the Grammy Award winner in 2022, complied before the couple swiftly exited. Afterward, conflicting reports emerged about whether they were asked to leave or left voluntarily.
Kanye West and Bianca Censori attend the 67th Annual Grammy Awards on February 2, 2025, in Los Angeles, California. | Source: Getty Images
The record producer’s influence over his partners’ public image isn’t limited to his first and second marriage. His brief romance with actress Julia Fox followed a similar pattern, with fashion and spectacle at the forefront.
Kanye West and Bianca Censori at the 67th Annual Grammy Awards on February 2, 2025, in Los Angeles, California. | Source: TikTok.com/CBSMornings
Fox’s whirlwind fling with the rapper made headlines in early 2022, shortly after his divorce from Kardashian. She later described their connection in an interview, recalling their first meeting on New Year’s Eve in Miami. “His energy is so fun to be around,” she said, adding that they instantly clicked and continued their night in New York City.
Julia Fox and Kanye West spotted departing the "Slave Play" in Midtown on January 4, 2022, in New York City. | Source: Getty Images
Their attraction developed naturally, though Fox admitted she wasn’t thinking too far ahead. “There was a good amount,” she said of their romantic spark in another interview. “I was just going day by day and seeing where it went. It was just like, he still wants to hang out with me today, let’s do it.”
Kanye West and Julia Fox attend the Kenzo Fall/Winter show as part of Paris Fashion Week on January 23, 2022. | Source: Getty Images
The duo’s relationship gained further attention during Paris Fashion Week, where they stepped out in coordinated outfits. Reflecting on that time in her memoir, “Down the Drain,” Fox described how the attires were a carefully curated spectacle.
She wrote about moments when West would adjust their surroundings, such as moving their table for better visibility, and even assembling a team to manage her wardrobe.
Kanye West and Julia Fox pictured on January 23, 2022, in Paris, France. | Source: Getty Images
The Italian native acknowledged how surreal the experience felt, remarking that it was unlike anything she had imagined for herself. However, as their time together unfolded, the glamorous façade began to crack.
During a dinner at New York’s Carbone restaurant once, West arranged for photographers to capture the evening, with the images appearing on gossip site Page Six the next morning. Fox admitted the spectacle made her feel like a “show monkey.”
Julia Fox and Kanye West attend the Schiaparelli Haute Couture Spring/Summer show as part of Paris Fashion Week on January 24, 2022. | Source: Getty Images
Meanwhile, another orchestrated moment occurred when West staged an impromptu photoshoot in a hotel room, later featured in Interview magazine. When the media personality mentioned that one of the outfits didn’t fit properly, her lover casually suggested she get a boob job, an offer she declined.
Reflecting on her post-baby body in that moment, Fox thought, “They’re not so bad.” By the second month of their whirlwind relationship, doubts crept in. She began questioning whether West’s feelings were genuine or if their connection was simply a calculated “showmance” designed for attention.
Julia Fox and Kanye West photographed at the Schiaparelli Haute Couture Spring/Summer show as part of Paris Fashion Week on January 24, 2022. | Source: Getty Images
That said, their romance was short-lived, as reality soon set in. Fox admitted the lifestyle wasn’t sustainable, realizing that constantly traveling wasn’t feasible. She decided to walk away at the first sign of trouble, citing West’s unresolved personal struggles as a turning point.
Looking back, the model felt he had a lot to work through, but she wasn’t willing to take on that emotional burden. She acknowledged that an earlier version of herself might have stayed, but she had grown enough to recognize when to step away.
On February 14, 2022, a representative confirmed their split, “Julia and Kanye remain good friends and collaborators, but they are no longer together.” Later that year, Fox revealed her real motivation for the relationship, admitting she dated West to “distract” him from Kardashian so she could move on.
Fox believed their connection had potential and even thought she could help him move past his fixation on Kardashian. However, she quickly realized she was being used, describing herself as his “little puppet.”
Fox explained that she handled recounting their relationship delicately in her book, clarifying that she never signed an NDA and had no intention of doing so unless for professional reasons.
Despite her attempts to move forward, she shared that the aftermath of their brief affair left a mark, suggesting she may have been blacklisted in certain circles because of her association with him. “I’ve been up for certain things and couldn’t do it because of dating Kanye. It’s kind of wild,” she reflected.
Julia Fox’s brief relationship with Kanye West was a whirlwind of high fashion, media attention, and behind-the-scenes drama that left a lasting impression. While she initially embraced the excitement and spectacle, her candid reflections reveal the challenges of being entangled in such a publicized romance.
Ultimately, Fox emerged with a clearer understanding of her boundaries and a resolve to prioritize her own emotional well-being. Her experience serves as a reminder of the personal cost that can come with navigating relationships in the spotlight.
