Celebrity culture is rich in redemption arcs. There’s the fall, the statement, the apology and then the promise of a (new and improved) return. Now, Kanye West is the latest figure to reveal his next act: a new show, renewed attention and the suggestion that much of his most controversial behaviour can be traced back to a diagnosis of bipolar disorder.
This isn’t the first time West has spoken about his condition. Over the years, the rapper has spoken publicly, first addressing the diagnosis in interviews around the release of his 2018 album Ye, before returning to the subject as his spotlit life veered between creative triumph and controversy. He has described the condition as a “superpower”, and acknowledged the toll of manic episodes and the difficulty of treatment.
