The American record producer and his spouse walked the 2025 Grammys red carpet, but they were nowhere to be seen when the ceremony began. Now, the reason behind their absence inside the venue has been revealed.

Kanye West’s presence at the 67th Grammy Awards sparked curiosity among viewers after he and his wife, Bianca Censori, appeared on the red carpet but were not seen inside the ceremony. Recent reports have clarified why the rapper did not have assigned seating at the event.

Raj Kapoor, the executive producer of the Grammys, spoke exclusively to People about West’s attendance. He confirmed that West was not removed from the event and was, in fact, present due to his nomination.

The 47-year-old artist was up for Best Rap Song for “Carnival” from his Vultures 1 album. However, after making his red carpet appearance, he left in his car before the main ceremony began.

Kapoor explained the seating arrangements inside Crypto.com Arena, where the awards took place. He noted that VIP table seating is carefully planned, with each seat assigned to specific attendees.

“If they were invited guests because we [would] know everybody who’s seated at the VIP tables that we have in front,” Kapoor said. “We know each person who’s coming because every table is numbered. And so our director has to know where those artists are for award categories.”

Since West was not presenting, performing, or nominated for an award in the main telecast, he and Bianca Censori did not have reserved seats. Kapoor confirmed, “They didn’t have a nomination on the show and Kanye wasn’t presenting. He was not performing either, which is mostly what those seats are.”

While Kanye West made an appearance outside the venue, his absence inside the ceremony was due to the strict seating protocols in place. His decision to leave after the red carpet suggests he did not plan to stay for the event.

The couple first made headlines at the 67th Grammy Awards with a shocking red-carpet moment that was anything but spontaneous, according to a celebrity PR expert.

On music’s biggest night, Censori, 30, removed her fur coat in front of cameras, unveiling a sheer, nearly non-existent minidress without underwear.

While the act seemed spur-of-the-moment, Hollywood PR strategist Quincy Dash believes it was a calculated move by the award-winning rapper.

“They’re in a business called show business,” Dash, founder of PR firm Quincy Dash Co., told The New York Post. “What Kanye understands better than any other celebrity or talent is the game of public relations. His strategy is that all press is good press, and there’s no such thing as bad publicity.”

Dash suggested that West orchestrated the stunt to generate buzz and increase revenue. He explained that the moment immediately drew widespread attention, allowing West to leverage the publicity to promote his clothing line.

According to Dash, bold and shocking moves like this align perfectly with the rapper’s strategy—greater controversy leads to more visibility, which ultimately translates into financial gain.

Just hours after the red carpet appearance, the 24-time Grammy winner took to social media to showcase his wife’s daring outfit. “Custom Couture Grammy dress for the most beautiful woman ever My love my best friend My wife (sic),” he captioned a now-deleted Instagram post featuring the minidress.

Dash pointed out that the controversy also works in Censori’s favor, helping to raise her public profile. He explained that the attention she is receiving could ultimately help her achieve her personal and professional goals. According to Dash, the current media buzz proves that provocative imagery is effective, and West is actively shaping her image and brand to maximize its impact.

Before her relationship with West, Censori was relatively unknown. Now, she is gaining widespread recognition, which could open doors for her professionally.

Dash noted that while many may view her actions as shocking, she stands to benefit just as much as West. He pointed out that this new visibility could eventually allow her to pursue her own ambitions. Though unconventional, Dash emphasized that the strategy is effective.

West, in contrast to his wife’s bold fashion statement, kept his look understated, wearing an all-black outfit consisting of a plain T-shirt, black pants, and dark sunglasses.

Dash believes the stunt was a resounding success. “This was 100% a successful stunt for them,” he said. “Every media outlet is covering this. Everyone is talking about this. It set social media on fire. All publicity is good in Kanye’s eyes, so it’s a win for him.”

In addition to the publicity stunt, a source told Page Six that the couple’s red carpet appearance was meant to mimic the artwork for West’s 2024 album “Vultures 1.”

The cover featured Censori in thigh-high black boots with a sheer black material partially covering her lower body. West, in contrast, wore all black and hid his face behind a white hockey mask. While he opted for a similar dark ensemble at the Grammys, he ditched the mask for the occasion.

By recreating this imagery at a high-profile event like the Grammys, the couple seemingly reinforced the album’s branding while ensuring maximum media attention.

As Censori and her record producer husband dominated conversations on February 2, a body language expert weighed in on their dynamic.

Censori arrived at the awards ceremony in a black fluffy coat while West wore his usual all-black outfit paired with a silver chain. When the couple got to the photography section, Censori turned to face the wall before dropping her coat and revealing the transparent mesh slip-dress she had on.

West stood beside her as she posed for pictures in a moment that body language expert Judi James described as shocking. James suggested that the rapper saw Bianca Censori’s nearly nude look as a display of his influence, treating it as a professional achievement.

“Standing watching and muttering to her as she unveils as though this is his award-worthy success,” the body language expert explained.

The expert also delved into West’s poses as his wife was being photographed. James said that at times, the rapper stood like a bodyguard with his legs apart and hands folded, while in other moments, he placed an arm around Censori to present them as a couple.

“And one where he retreated altogether to allow her the solo moment she might have craved, and there was one where he just gazed down at her as though she were a doll he’d brought along,” shared James.

After the Grammys, West and Censori arrived at an afterparty in Los Angeles, hand-in-hand. Censori stunned in a completely sheer black bodysuit paired with black suede boots. The couple shared intimate moments throughout the night, dancing closely, exchanging kisses, and laughing together, while West appeared captivated by his wife.

Footage from the evening captured a jubilant West burying his head in Censori’s chest, before lifting her up and playfully bouncing her around. At one point, the model was surrounded by cameras while singing karaoke, with nearly everyone focused on her performance. However, West appeared distracted, facing away from the crowd and engrossed in his phone.

Additionally, sources from the party shared that West seemed increasingly jealous of the attention Censori was receiving. While she interacted with others, Censori was often seen seeking approval from her husband, seemingly unsure of her movements without his confirmation.

“She did not look comfortable. Meanwhile, Ye does what he wants and talks to who he wants to talk to. It was quite sad to watch. Bianca appeared to look to him for approval for every move she made, to use the bathroom, to talk to so and so. She would look at him and wait for him to nod,” explained the source.

Later in the evening, a stern-faced West was seen giving Censori a piggyback ride as they left the event. West and Censori tied the knot in December 2022, and the couple frequently makes headlines, often due to Censori’s daring fashion choices that leave little to the imagination, while West consistently opts for all-black ensembles.

Before they became a couple, Censori worked as an architectural designer at Yeezy. When news about their relationship broke out, reports claimed that the two had some sort of wedding ceremony but didn’t file for a marriage certificate to make it legal.

However, West treated Censori as his wife and wore a ring to showcase his commitment to her after their private ceremony. The rapper also released a song, “Censori Overload,” as a tribute to his wife. Now, the two often spark online talks due to Censori’s outfits and the dynamics of their relationship.