The 2025 Grammy Awards were, as always, a spectacle of music, fashion, and celebrity culture. But one moment in particular has sparked an intense debate that goes far beyond artistic expression. Bianca Censori, the Australian model and wife of Kanye West (now known as Ye), appeared on the red carpet wearing a sheer slip that exposed her naked body. Meanwhile, Ye himself was fully covered in a black T-shirt and trousers.
A clip circulating online shows Ye instructing Bianca to remove the fur coat draped over her shoulders, exposing her barely-there outfit. The exchange, coupled with Bianca’s body language—described by viewers as blank, fearful, and detached—has reignited discussions about Kanye West’s history of control over his partners, with many questioning whether Bianca’s fashion choices are truly her own or a reflection of coercive control.
Where Is the Line Between Style and Control?
Fashion has long been a form of self-expression, and women should have complete autonomy over their bodies and clothing. But fashion magazine Marie Claire raises the question: is Bianca’s exposure a personal choice, or is it another instance of Kanye exerting dominance over his partner under the guise of artistic vision?
Dr. Pam Spurr, a psychologist and relationship expert, took to X (formerly Twitter) to express her concern, writing:
“Kanye West is a WEAK INSECURE brute. With pathological control issues & an unhealthy need to wipe out any ‘sense of self’ Bianca Censori has (her blank staring gaze is tragic). As well as erasing any personal boundaries she might’ve had. Complete coercive control witnessed by all at the Grammys.”
Laura Richards, a leading expert on coercive control, echoed these sentiments on Threads, stating: “This is deeply disturbing. It’s coercive control & indecent exposure. What happens behind closed doors?”
Many on social media shared similar fears, pointing out how Bianca’s vacant expression and compliance mirrored the behavior of individuals in controlling relationships. One X user wrote: “If she was smiling or coy, you could see she was enjoying herself, but she was not. Sad and humiliating.”
Another concerned viewer added: “Someone stage an intervention! This is coercive, controlling behavior, for real. What on EARTH has he said/done to Bianca Censori to make her do this? This is NOT ‘gleeful, attention-seeking exhibitionism’ on her part. She looks terrified.”
Kanye West’s History of Control
The speculation surrounding Bianca’s fashion choices isn’t without precedent. Kanye has a well-documented history of exerting influence over his partners’ appearances.
According to Glamour Magazine, his former wife, Kim Kardashian, has spoken openly about how Kanye took control of her wardrobe, famously telling her she had “the worst style” and gradually transforming her fashion identity. In a 2018 episode of Keeping Up With The Kardashians, Kim admitted: “I always thought I had really good style – until I met my husband [Ye] and he told me that I had the worst style.”
Speaking about her first solo styling decisions for the WSJ Awards, Kim revealed: “I was like, how do I wear something that hasn’t been pre-vetted first? I was so nervous at the thought of wearing a ‘bad outfit.’”
This pattern of control appears to have extended to Bianca, whose wardrobe has become increasingly provocative since her relationship with Kanye began. From wearing a pillow as a dress to being seen barefoot in the streets, her fashion choices have become more extreme, leading many to question whether they are truly self-directed.
One X user summed up the concern succinctly: “Bianca Censori is a frightened and abused woman. Don’t look at her naked body that is being paraded around by a toxic, abusive man. Look at her eyes. He has destroyed her soul.”
The Signs of Coercive Control
Coercive control is a recognized form of psychological abuse. It is not about isolated incidents but an ongoing pattern of behavior that strips an individual of their autonomy. It can include:
- Dictating what a partner wears
- Monitoring their communication and whereabouts
- Isolating them from friends and family
- Humiliating or degrading them in public or private
- Using threats or pressure to ensure compliance
One X user highlighted this dynamic in Bianca and Kanye’s relationship, writing:
“OMG, this is horrifying. He’s parading her like a piece of meat when he couldn’t be more covered up. A statement of his total dominance and ownership of her (at least in his own head). Coercive control is a criminal offense in my country, and this could be used in a poster advertising that fact.”
Women’s Aid, a UK-based domestic abuse charity, has previously spoken about the dangers of coercive control, stating: “From the color of the lipstick you wear to the clothes on your back and what you think, say, and do, living with a controlling partner means that your decisions are not always your own.”
What Happens Behind Closed Doors?
While neither Kanye nor Bianca has publicly addressed the nature of their styling arrangement, many fear that what is visible in public is only the tip of the iceberg. If Bianca’s outfits are being dictated by Kanye, what else is happening away from the cameras?
The concern surrounding Bianca’s wellbeing is growing, with one X user asking: “How much longer can she be paraded around like this before someone realizes it’s just too much? Someone needs to step up and save her from Kanye’s chaos.”
Coercive control experts warn that it often takes years for victims to recognize they are being controlled, especially when the abuse is not physical but psychological. Many survivors describe a slow erosion of personal boundaries until they are left questioning their own autonomy.
Empowerment or Coercion
There is the crucial distinction between empowerment and coercion. If Bianca Censori is genuinely choosing to express herself in this way, that is her right. But if this is yet another instance of Kanye West exerting dominance under the guise of artistic vision, it demands scrutiny.
A woman’s body is not an accessory, and coercion should never be mistaken for liberation. The Grammy moment wasn’t just about fashion—it was a glaring reminder of the power dynamics that often play out in controlling relationships.
The real question remains: Is Bianca truly free to make her own choices, or has she been manipulated, conditioned, or intimidated to comply?
Featured image: Kayne West and Bianca Censori at the Grammy Awards. Source: YouTube Screenshot / Recording Academy Grammys.
