Former Yeezy Designer Claims Kanye West’s Mental Health Decline Is Hurting His Brand
Kanye West has reportedly parted ways with Steven Smith, a renowned sneaker designer who played a crucial role in the success of West’s Yeezy brand. The departure of Smith marks a significant shift for the company, which has been under scrutiny following West’s controversial behavior and business decisions.
Smith, who had been with West since 2016 and contributed to the iconic Adidas collaboration, spoke out for the first time about the state of Yeezy and West’s mental health. In an interview with Fast Company, Smith, who was once a staunch supporter of West, revealed a more troubling picture. “He’s lost his mind,” Smith stated bluntly. “The whole of Yeezy is circling the drain, and this is just part of it. He has surrounded himself with toxic, C-grade losers.”
Smith’s exit in early August was accompanied by a social media block from West, signaling a sharp end to their long-standing professional relationship. Despite the fallout, Smith expressed confidence in his future prospects, saying, “I’m in a very happy place with it all. I will certainly be a priceless asset to whoever I work with next. It’s all his loss and the result of his foolishness.”
The exact reasons behind Smith’s departure remain unclear, though Fast Company hinted that it may have been related to West’s controversial plan to launch a pornographic company, a project that was ultimately abandoned.
Yeezy has been embroiled in controversy recently, with another former employee, Milo Yiannopoulos, claiming that West is struggling with a nitrous oxide addiction. According to Yiannopoulos, West’s former chief of staff, the addiction has caused permanent brain damage, a claim supported by alleged medical scans. These allegations were vehemently denied by West’s dentist, Dr. Thomas Connelly, who was accused of supplying the gas. Connelly dismissed the accusations as a baseless attack motivated by a personal vendetta from Yiannopoulos.
While West has not publicly addressed the claims regarding nitrous oxide, a recent video showed him inhaling from an oxygen mask, further fueling concerns about his well-being. As the controversies surrounding West continue to mount, the future of Yeezy—and West’s personal and professional life—remains uncertain.
