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POWER COUPLE
Garguibo/SplashNews.com
If there’s one thingKanye Westknows how to do, it’s make headlines. And though they went through ups and downs over the years, sources told PEOPLE thatKim Kardashianalways did her best tosupport Westwhen hestirred up controversy— even though it could be challenging.
Kim filed for divorce on Feb. 19, 2021. Here, a look back at the times she publicly stood up for her man.
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ASKING FOR COMPASSION
Kanye West, Kim Kardashian West.
After husbandWestposted aseries of alarming tweetsin July 2020, including since-deleted claims about himself and his family, Kardashianasked fans for “compassion"as she publicly addressed her husband’s bi-polar diagnosis.
West had tweeted allegations that Kardashian and her momKris Jennerhad tried to"lock him up,“and then claimed that he had beenconsidering divorcing his wife.
In response, Kardashian addressed the news in a lengthy note posted to her Instagram Story.
“As many of you know, Kanye has bi-polar disorder,” she began. “Anyone who has this or has a loved one in their life who does, knows how incredibly complicated and painful it is to understand. I’ve never spoken publicly about how this has affected us at home because I am very protective of our children and Kanye’s right to privacy when it comes to his health. But today, I feel like I should comment on it because of the stigma and misconceptions about mental health.”
“Those that understand mental illness or even compulsive behavior know that the family is powerless unless the member is a minor,” she said. “People who are unaware or far removed from this experience can be judgmental and not understand that the individual themselves have to engage in the process of getting help no matter how hard family and friends try.”
“Living with bi-polar disorder does not diminish or invalidate his dreams and his creative ideas, no matter how big or unobtainable they may feel to some. That is part of his genius and as we have all witnessed, many of his dreams have come true,” she wrote. “We as a society talk about giving grace to the issue of mental health as a whole, however we should also give it to the individuals who are living with it in times when they need it the most. I kindly ask that the media and public give us the compassion and empathy that is needed so that we can get through this. Thank you for those who have expressed concern for Kanye’s well-being and for your understanding.”
03of 09PRICKLY POLITICSDrew Angerer/GettyWest’s past public allegiance toPresident Donald Trumphas been metwith backlash, but Kardashian had at times defended her husband’s right to express his own opinion.“Most people (including myself) have very different feelings & opinions about this,” shetweeted in 2018.“But this is HIS opinion. I believe in people being able to have their own opinions, even if really different from mine. He never said he agrees with his politics.”
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PRICKLY POLITICS
Drew Angerer/Getty
West’s past public allegiance toPresident Donald Trumphas been metwith backlash, but Kardashian had at times defended her husband’s right to express his own opinion.
“Most people (including myself) have very different feelings & opinions about this,” shetweeted in 2018.“But this is HIS opinion. I believe in people being able to have their own opinions, even if really different from mine. He never said he agrees with his politics.”
04of 09TRYING TO GAIN CONTROLKim Kardashian West and Kanye West.Matt Baron/ShutterstockIn 2018, Kardashianplayfully responded to her husbandon social media when the rapperposted a series of erratic tweets, but a source close to the situation told PEOPLE it was anattempt to take charge. “Kim is trying to control him and the situation, but he can’t be controlled,” said the source about the couple. “She’s trying her best to support him on social media and show a different side of things, but it’s just not working.“Added the source: “He genuinely believes he’s God and a genius and that he can do everything on his own. He has a great love for Kim, but in his mind he doesn’t think Kim is a genius, and he’s telling her he knows what he’s doing.”
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TRYING TO GAIN CONTROL
Kim Kardashian West and Kanye West.Matt Baron/Shutterstock
In 2018, Kardashianplayfully responded to her husbandon social media when the rapperposted a series of erratic tweets, but a source close to the situation told PEOPLE it was anattempt to take charge. “Kim is trying to control him and the situation, but he can’t be controlled,” said the source about the couple. “She’s trying her best to support him on social media and show a different side of things, but it’s just not working.”
Added the source: “He genuinely believes he’s God and a genius and that he can do everything on his own. He has a great love for Kim, but in his mind he doesn’t think Kim is a genius, and he’s telling her he knows what he’s doing.”
05of 09BY HIS SIDENBCWhile she didn’t comment on West’ssurprise pro-Trump rantduring the September 2018Saturday Night Livepremiere, Kardashian was on hand to support his performance from the audience with the couple’s daughterNorth, plus sisterKourtney KardashianandScott Disick.
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BY HIS SIDE
NBC
While she didn’t comment on West’ssurprise pro-Trump rantduring the September 2018Saturday Night Livepremiere, Kardashian was on hand to support his performance from the audience with the couple’s daughterNorth, plus sisterKourtney KardashianandScott Disick.
06of 09"OUT OF THE SUNKEN PLACE"Splash NewsKardashian has also defended West’s explosive Twitter sprees, slamming reports citing mental health issues.“He’s a free thinker, is that not allowed in America? Because some of his ideas differ from yours you have to throw in the mental health card? That’s just not fair. He’s actually out of the sunken place when he’s being himself which is very expressive,” she tweeted in April 2018, referencing the 2017 horror filmGet Out.
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“OUT OF THE SUNKEN PLACE”
Splash News
Kardashian has also defended West’s explosive Twitter sprees, slamming reports citing mental health issues.
“He’s a free thinker, is that not allowed in America? Because some of his ideas differ from yours you have to throw in the mental health card? That’s just not fair. He’s actually out of the sunken place when he’s being himself which is very expressive,” she tweeted in April 2018, referencing the 2017 horror filmGet Out.
07of 09NO. 1 FANDef Jam RecordsOn “Wouldn’t Leave,” the fourth track of West’s albumYe, the rapper addressedhis infamous declaration that slavery was a choice, claiming his wife called him in panic when she found out.Kardashian has said shecried when she first heard the song, admitting it depicted “a lot of what we went through.““I know my husband has the best intentions,” she said. “He has the biggest heart. I know his heart, so I know he’ll always have that chance to explain himself when the time is right. I think he explained it well in the song.”
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NO. 1 FAN
Def Jam Records
On “Wouldn’t Leave,” the fourth track of West’s albumYe, the rapper addressedhis infamous declaration that slavery was a choice, claiming his wife called him in panic when she found out.
Kardashian has said shecried when she first heard the song, admitting it depicted “a lot of what we went through.”
“I know my husband has the best intentions,” she said. “He has the biggest heart. I know his heart, so I know he’ll always have that chance to explain himself when the time is right. I think he explained it well in the song.”
08of 09RIDE OR DIESPW/SplashNews.comWhen rapper and songwriter Rhymefest accused West of abandoning his hometown of Chicago and a local non-profit organization named in honor of his late mother, Kardashiancame for him.“I have and will always applaud any efforts to give back to the community. To fight for justice and to help uplift the youth. But I will never tolerate someone who was close to Kanye who attempts to use his late mother’s name to publicly shame him while pretending to do good,” she tweeted. “I will always ride for my man!”
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RIDE OR DIE
SPW/SplashNews.com
When rapper and songwriter Rhymefest accused West of abandoning his hometown of Chicago and a local non-profit organization named in honor of his late mother, Kardashiancame for him.
“I have and will always applaud any efforts to give back to the community. To fight for justice and to help uplift the youth. But I will never tolerate someone who was close to Kanye who attempts to use his late mother’s name to publicly shame him while pretending to do good,” she tweeted. “I will always ride for my man!”
09of 09FORWARD THINKERJohnny Nunez/WireImage"Kanye will never run in the race of popular opinion and we know that and that’s why I love him and respect him,“she tweeted in 2018. “And in a few years when someone else says the same exact thing but they aren’t labeled the way he is and you will all praise them! Kanye is years ahead of his time.”
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FORWARD THINKER
Johnny Nunez/WireImage
“Kanye will never run in the race of popular opinion and we know that and that’s why I love him and respect him,“she tweeted in 2018. “And in a few years when someone else says the same exact thing but they aren’t labeled the way he is and you will all praise them! Kanye is years ahead of his time.”
source: people.com
