Kanye West Has Been ‘Falling Apart’ Without Kim to Lean On Since Paris Robbery, Says Source
The fallout of Kim Kardashian West‘s horrific robbery at gunpoint nearly two months ago in Paris has had its own impact on her relationship with husband Kanye West — and the rapper’s recent breakdown and hospitalization are creating additional strain in their marriage, a source tells PEOPLE.
“Kim has had a very rough time since the robbery,” says a source close to the reality star, 36, who has been keeping a consciously low-profile lifestyle since early October. “It hasn’t helped that Kanye has been touring. Their lives have been quite chaotic. It’s been very trying for them both and not a good recipe for a happy marriage.”
Before the robbery, the source says, “Kim usually the more stable and strong person in the marriage. Kanye is used to leaning on her. Since Kim has had her own issues to deal with, the roles have been reversed. Kanye has had to stay strong to support Kim, and it’s like he can’t handle it anymore.”
The source adds that the 39-year-old Grammy winner, who stands to lose millions after he canceled 21 dates on his Saint Pablo tour, “is totally wiped out from touring and just can’t handle it emotionally.”
And with his wife and support system taking a step back in order to overcome her recent trauma, the source says, “It’s like Kanye is falling apart now, because Kim hasn’t been able to give him her full attention.”
Kardashian West, who was in New York City on Monday night to honor her late father at the 2016 Angel Ball, returned to Los Angeles to be by West’s side as he recovers from his physical and emotional meltdown.
Friends and fans are also sending their support, with R&B singer Janelle Monáe, for one, tweeting that she is “PRAYING FOR KANYE. PRAYING HE HAS THE RIGHT ENERGY SURROUNDING HIM DURING THIS TIME. SENDING PEACE AND LOVE.”
As for Kim herself, a source told PEOPLE earlier this year: “She has a lot of faith in him that he’s going to see his way through whatever kind of conflict he’s having internally or externally and that it’s all going to work out well. She understands his process as an artist and as a person, and I think she just has a lot of faith in him.”
Photo: Kanye West at LAX last week. (Photo: starzfly/Bauer-Griffin/GC Images)
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EXCLUSIVE: John Legend Says Kanye West Has ‘Been Through a Lot’ After What Happened to Kim Kardashian
John Legend says his longtime friend, Kanye West, is in need of some rest.
While promoting the Dec. 2 release of his new album, Darkness and Light, the 37-year-old R&B singer told ET’s Nischelle Turner that he hasn’t spoken to the rapper since he canceled the rest of his Saint Pablo U.S. tour after he went on a bizarre rant and left the stage early during his Sacramento, California, show.
“I’m not gonna speak out of term and speak for him,” Legend said on Monday afternoon before news broke that West was hospitalized.
“All I can see is what [West] said to the public — and that is he’s tired and needs some rest,” he noted, referring to the tour cancellation.
Last month, Kim Kardashian West was robbed at gunpoint while asleep in her hotel room in Paris, France, and Legend thinks what happened to West’s wife has most certainly impacted him. “I think he’s been through a lot lately with what happened to Kim,” he said. “I think if he needs to rest, I think his fans will be patient and let him rest. He’ll come back stronger, hopefully.”
As for his friendship with West, Legend added, “He’s the one that signed me, he’s the one that helped discover me and help me get a record deal. I wouldn’t be where I am now without him. I am very grateful to him.”
Kim was expected to make her first red carpet appearance on Monday night at the Angel Ball in New York City, but was not in attendance. Her sisters Khloe and Kourtney Kardashian were at the event, along with their mother, Kris Jenner, who spoke to ET about West’s well-being.
“I think he’s exhausted. Just really tired,” Jenner said of her son-in-law. “It’s a grueling tour.”