According to TMZ, Kanye West was involved in an altercation with paparazzi at LAX airport today. He apparently got upset at someone taking photos and smashed his camera to the ground, then his assistant approached a guy who was videotaping everything and broke his camera too. Kanye and his assistant were arrested and charged with felony vandalism:
Kanye West has just been arrested at LAX for felony vandalism.
A still photographer was trying to take pics of Kanye at the American Airlines terminal. According to our guy on the scene, Kanye allegedly confronted the photog and smashed his camera to the ground.
Our photog then began videotaping the scene when Kanye’s assistant grabbed our camera — a struggle ensued and the assistant threw the video camera to the ground, breaking it.
When Kanye realized our camera guy had videotaped the incident, he rushed our guy and yelled, “Gimme that f**king tape!”
Both Kanye and his assistant have been arrested and will be booked.
We have the tape and we will be posting video shortly.
[From TMZ]
I always get excited to watch these celebrity videos based on whatever TMZ says about how great they are, and nine times out of ten I end up disappointed. If there’s some kind of fight or altercation it’s usually hard to see as the camera person is running or the camera gets thrown down or something. I’ll keep checking to see what footage they have though.
Before people go judging Kanye and calling him a hothead, which he may very well be, he may know this particular photographer and have a long-running beef or grudge with the guy that we don’t know about. It’s even possible the photographer made a really obnoxious comment about his deceased mom or something. I’m not saying Kanye is blameless if he and his staff member broke two cameras – there’s no excuse for that. We don’t know what happened though, and one thing you learn from watching those paparazzi videos is that they can say some super obnoxious inappropriate things to celebrities to try and get a reaction out of them. In Kanye’s case it seems to have worked.
Here’s Kanye looking like he’s in a foul mood at a screening of Fallen Shadows in NY on 9/9/08. Credit: Flashpoint / WENN
I’d bust a paparazzi’s camera if they were in my face wrong, it’s why i’m not a celebrity 😕
Whatevs, paps gotta make a living too.
Celebs get a bunch of free crap and are mostly overpaid, why not let a few others cash in on them too?
Love many of Kanye’s songs, but he had it coming. If he doesn’t like the papp attention (and can’t take them saying super obnoxious inappropriate things), perhaps he should find a new career.
Actions speak louder than words. Mr. West doesn’t strike me as particularly intelligent nor disciplined.
TMZ are scummy, obnoxious, provocative lowlife. Don’t care for Kanye West but also don’t think someone has the right to be all up in someone else’s face if they’ve asked them not to.
I really cannot stand this moron. You could tell him his shoe was untied and he’d go off. He looks stoned in the pictures. 😆
Stupid + Aggressive = Danger 😕
Music aside, I can’t stand Kanye. He’s one of the showiest people around and he’s complaining? UGH. No sympathy.
I wanted to wait and see the actual footage before I commented. It is violent. Kanye and his bodyguard deserve to be arrested.
I have always thought this kid was an arrogant little brat with a huge chip on his shoulder. Now I’m sure of it.
From TMZ;
“This is where it gets crazy. The cops asked Erik if he videotaped the incident and Erik said he had. That’s when Kanye lunged toward him and said, “Give me the fu***ng videotape.” Cops had to restrain Kanye as he tried coming at Erik”.
Erik is their cameraman.
He should get a medal.
These celebrities want the fame, they want the big bucks, they want the adulation, but they don’t want the photographers. There is no excuse for property damage just because you don’t want someone to photograph you.
Good grief!! I hate him even more. 😡
I’m so tired of people doing the backwards peace sign, like it makes them cool. It means F-U in case there’s anybody left who doesn’t know. And it’s just like shooting a bird, which is not classy.
This idiot again. Anything for attention. Douche.
Hmmm, how long until he plays the “race card” saying he was only arrested because of his color?
Spoiled brat.
Well, I bet the paps were white. PO-lice always trying keep a brother down.
ZOMG RACE WAR
i bet he got sick and tired of the paps and just blew up. they should not be allowed in airports. its one thing if he is at a club or out but the airport?i’m sure he hit his breaking point. the paps are many times rude and provoke celebs to get them fired up. tmz are drooling over this footage. kinda makes me sick
He is a Putz. He pushed his way through the back end as a producer to become famous. He wanted it. He wanted it bad. He has done everything humanly possible to become famous. This is what you have to live with being famous. He knew that when he asked for it. Like it or not. I have been with a number of high profile people when they have been photographed by the paparazzi. They are obnoxious at times. But you just keep on moving and they will start looking for their next target. He is such an immature douche bag. It would be different if this was at his house etc. When you are at LAX??? Please. I hope the pap sues the hell out of him. MAN UP MISS WEST!
He should marry Naomi Campbell so they can kill each other.
ya, theyre celebrities and maybe they “asked for it” but you have to agree, those paps are pretty obnoxious most of the time.
i agree with chunkin-its one thing to be there at a club or at a paparazzi infested restraunt but an airport? just leave them alone for a little bit! theyre always right up in everyones face and im sure the “nobodys” that are just trying to catch a flight dont want them all over the place either. youve seen how aggressive those people get trying to get their shot.
i would probably do the same thing if i were him! 😀
gg: I didn’t know that! Christ, I’m getting old.
Here’s the thing. I have been to LAX countless times. I have been on flights with Johnny Depp, Mark Walhberg, David Beckham, Jay Leno, Charlize Theron, Dr Phil etc etc etc. The paps float around and take pics of the celebs either coming or going, they are usually from a distance and it’s really no big deal. These are the pics that you see in People magazine, What they are wearing or celebs are just like you section. Kanye made this a big deal by acting like petulant child.
Since when does someone get arrested for breaking a camera?
Sh*ts weak, real weak. Coulda just filed charges with that video footage. He should have no problem paying for it.
Sometimes you’re just tired of the haters gettin in your face. He’s a man. He did what a man does when he’s tired of sh*t. He broke what was p*ssin him off. He’s just like all of us out there. Get the f*ck over it