Model and media personality Amber Rose has disclosed that she encouraged the rapper Ye, formerly known as Kanye West, prior to his controversial interruption of Taylor Swift at the 2009 MTV Video Music Awards, per hiphopwired.com.
Speaking on the *Ball In The Family* podcast, Rose admitted to “hyping up” her then-boyfriend throughout the evening, though she maintained that she did not foresee his subsequent stage invasion.
Rose detailed how the couple consumed alcohol and she provided vocal support to the rapper before the ceremony began. She told hosts Lonzo and LiAngelo Ball that she viewed herself as his “biggest cheerleader,” stating she would support her partner’s confidence even when he was in the wrong.
The event remains one of the most notorious moments in awards show history. During the ceremony, Ye interrupted Swift’s acceptance speech for Best Female Video to declare that Beyoncé had “one of the best videos of all time.” Rose recalled her shock at the moment, noting that while she was sitting in the audience, she “was not expecting” him to storm the stage.
Reflecting on the incident, Rose clarified that while she disagreed with his methods, she believed his sentiment regarding the quality of the videos was correct. She also confirmed that she has since reconciled with Swift. The pop star reportedly sent merchandise and concert tickets to Rose’s son, which Rose cited as a sign that Swift understood she was not responsible for the outburst.
The 2009 VMA incident sparked a decade-long professional and personal feud between Ye and Taylor Swift, significantly impacting the public personas of both artists. Rose’s new comments offer a rare look at the immediate backstage environment that preceded the viral encounter.
•Featured image by Gregg DeGuire/Getty
