Amid renewed apologies for his past antisemitic remarks and other bigoted behavior, Kanye West—now known as Ye—is receiving public support from one of the people who’s known him the longest. His longtime business partner and manager, John Monopoly, recently offered fans additional insight into Ye’s current mindset and mental health journey.
In a statement to PEOPLE, Monopoly addressed reports surrounding Ye’s personal life, including claims that Ye and his wife Bianca Censori nearly separated multiple times as they navigated the rapper’s struggles with bipolar disorder. According to Monopoly, Ye is now in a much healthier place.
“He’s in a great place and taking accountability for the things he says and does,” Monopoly said. He added that Ye is, for the first time in a long while, actively confronting his mental health rather than avoiding it. “He’s really approaching his mental health head-on and making a valiant effort to deal with it. He really cares and he’s trying to do better.”
Monopoly, who has openly spoken about living with bipolar disorder himself for over three decades, emphasized how difficult that journey can be. He described mental stability as a “thin line,” explaining that he understands firsthand how challenging it is to remain grounded. Still, he expressed pride in Ye’s efforts to improve—not just for himself, but for the people around him.
“I’m so happy and Ye’s so happy and proud he’s trying to do better and stay better,” Monopoly said, reflecting on their decades-long relationship. He noted that he’s known Ye since he was 16 years old, working with him on beats and production before managing him beginning in the early 1990s. Despite Ye’s turbulent recent years and shifting inner circle, Monopoly has continued to stand by him.
The comments arrive during a busy and scrutinized period for Ye. Alongside his public apologies, he’s preparing the release of his next album, BULLY, following several delays, and recently staged massive, headline-making performances in Mexico City.
While many fans and critics remain skeptical—and rightly note that a single apology cannot undo years of harm—Monopoly’s remarks frame this moment as a potential starting point rather than a conclusion. Whether Ye’s words are matched by sustained change remains to be seen, but those closest to him suggest he’s at least taking the first steps toward accountability and stability.
