Kanye West faces another pretrial fight as his legal battle with former Donda Academy security guard Benjamin Provo moves closer to trial. Provo now wants a judge to limit what West’s attorneys can say about the rapper’s mental state. He argues that an unsound mind defense has no place in the employment discrimination case.
Benjamin Provo alleges Kanye West discriminated against him while he worked at Donda Academy
According to TMZ, Benjamin Provo wants the court to prevent West’s team from arguing that he lacked a sound mind during the events behind the lawsuit. However, the issue is more nuanced than a formal insanity defense. Court reporting says West never listed mental incapacity as an affirmative defense.
Provo’s attorneys raised the issue after an Aug. 24 pretrial discussion. They claim West’s counsel refused to rule out evidence involving his documented mental health history. Provo also argues that West never produced medical records or identified an expert who could connect his mental health to the alleged conduct.
The lawsuit centers on Provo’s time working at Donda Academy and Yeezy. He filed his complaint in April 2024. Provo alleges West treated Black employees less favorably than White employees. He also claims West criticized his dreadlocks, which Provo says he wore as part of his Muslim faith.
According to Provo, management eventually forced him to choose between cutting his hair and keeping his job. The Donda Academy lawsuit includes claims of discrimination, retaliation, wrongful termination and labor violations.
West has denied Provo’s allegations.
The dispute has already drawn attention to people around the rapper. Bianca Censori appeared on a potential witness list in the same case, although her inclusion does not guarantee she will testify.
Provo also points to West’s deposition testimony. When asked whether he felt unlike himself during the Donda Academy period, West replied, “No. I think that was close to me being myself.” Meanwhile, West has separately asked the court to keep some of his controversial social media posts out of the trial.
The case involving Kanye West’s former employee now heads toward an Oct. 12 nonjury trial. Provo wants the judge to keep West’s mental health out of the liability debate before proceedings begin.
The key framing is correct: this is a Los Angeles Superior Court employment case, and Provo’s lawyers argue that West’s mental health is irrelevant to liability rather than responding to a formally pleaded insanity defense.
