Kanye West has publicly apologised to Kim Kardashian West for making a series of claims about his wife and her family.
In recent days, Kanye – who last month made headlines when he reiterated his intent to run for US president in 2020 – has caused concern with a number of tweets, as well as controversial comments he made at a rally of his in Charleston, South Carolina.
On Wednesday, Kim called for “compassion and empathy” in a lengthy statement addressing her husband’s bipolar disorder, saying she hoped doing so could challenge the stigma around mental health.
Following a difficult week for the music star, Kanye has now tweeted an apology.
“I would like to apologise to my wife Kim for going public with something that was a private matter. I did not cover her like she has covered me,” he tweeted.
“To Kim I want to say I know I hurt you. Please forgive me. Thank you for always being there for me.”
The apology comes after Kim, the mother of Kanye’s four children, said she and her family were “powerless” to intervene and addressed his bipolar disorder publicly for the first time.
She said: “He is a brilliant but complicated person who on top of the pressures of being an artist and a black man, who experienced the painful loss of his mother, and has to deal with the pressure and isolation that is heightened by his bi-polar disorder.”
She added that she has not discussed his condition before because she is “very protective of our children and Kanye’s right to privacy when it comes to his health”.
She added: “But today, I feel like I should comment on it because of the stigma and misconceptions about mental health.”
Useful websites and helplines
Mind, open Monday to Friday, 9am-6pm on 0300 123 3393.
Samaritans offers a listening service which is open 24 hours a day, on 116 123 (UK and ROI - this number is FREE to call and will not appear on your phone bill).
CALM (the Campaign Against Living Miserably) offer a helpline open 5pm-midnight, 365 days a year, on 0800 58 58 58, and a webchat service.
The Mix is a free support service for people under 25. Call 0808 808 4994 or email help@themix.org.uk
Rethink Mental Illness offers practical help through its advice line which can be reached on 0300 5000 927 (Monday to Friday 10am-4pm). More info can be found on rethink.org.