Kanye West Retains Johnny Depp’s Attorney From Defamation Trial

Kanye West has hired an attorney in the wake of his recent antisemitic remarks.

TMZ reports Ye is retaining Camille Vasquez, one of the attorneys who helped Johnny Depp in his defamation trail with ex-wife Amber Heard. Vasquez, along with her Los Angeles-based law firm Brown Rudnick, will provide Kanye with legal counsel on a “variety of business matters.”

Ye sparked backlash this month by making harmful and offensive comments on social media and in interviews, including tweeting that he planned to go “death con 3 on Jewish people,” a likely reference to DEFCON 3.

“I’m a bit sleepy tonight but when I wake up I’m going death con 3 On JEWISH PEOPLE,” he wrote. “The funny thing is I actually can’t be Anti Semitic because black people are actually Jew also You guys have toyed with me and tried to black ball anyone whoever opposes your agenda.”

Twitter subsequently removed his tweet for violating its rules. Ye’s latest Drink Champs episode was taken down shortly after premiering this week; it contained antisemitism and misinformation about the death of George Floyd. An already-taped appearance on LeBron James’ The Shop was scrapped for similar reasons.

On Friday, Balenciaga announced it has no “plans for future projects” with West, as Women’s Wear Daily reported that the Kering-owned fashion house had cut ties with Ye, although a specific reason was not provided.

“Balenciaga has no longer any relationship nor any plans for future projects related to this artist,” a Kering rep told the publication.

[via]