Rapper Ye, Formerly Known As Kanye West Interview with ABC News Live

In case you missed it, this morning on “Good Morning America,” a portion of ABC News Live Prime Anchor Linsey Davis’ interview with Ye aired. In the clip, Ye discussed his social media use, co-parenting and more.

Watch more on ABC News Live tonight at 7 p.m. ET and tonight on “Nightline.””A Conversation with Ye: Linsey Davis Reporting,” a half-hour special on ABC News Live, airs at 8:30 p.m. ET and streams later on Hulu.

WATCH: https://gma.abc/3LwNkx2

Credit “ABC News//Good Morning America”

Ye opens up in ABC News exclusive interview

By Mark Guarino, Katie Conway

Ye said he has “new respect” for ex-wife Kim Kardashian and felt sorrow for causing stress in the relationship since Kardashian filed for divorce in February 2021.

“This is the mother of my children, and I apologize for any stress that I have caused, even in my frustration, because God calls me to be stronger,” Ye, the recording artist and entrepreneur formerly known as Kanye West, said in an exclusive morning interview that aired Thursday on “Good Morning America.” “I need this person to be less stressed and of the best, sound mind and as calm as possible to be able to raise those children at the end of the day.”

In a wide-ranging interview that covered Donda Academy, a school he started in California, to his plans to once again run for president, Ye repeatedly circled back to the responsibility that he has as a celebrity and his insistence that he have a say in the future of the four children he fathered with the global social media and reality TV star.

“As a dad and as a Christian. And I have a right to have a voice on what my kids are wearing, what they’re watching, what they’re eating,” he said. “I have a platform where I get to say what so many dads can’t say out loud.”

Ye said he “absolutely” wants his children to attend Donda Academy, “a gospel school” he created named after Donda West, his late mother who chaired the Department of English, Communications, Media Arts and Theatre at Chicago State University on Chicago’s South Side. She died in 2007.

“I’m their dad. It has to be co-parenting. It’s not up to only the woman. Like, men have a choice also. Men’s voices matter,” he said.

The private school, which Ye said was originally named the Yeezy Christian Academy, is located in Simi Valley, California. According to the school’s website, the academy’s mission is to help students “learn fundamentals, grow in their faith, and experience two enrichment classes.”

Ye said the school gives “kids practical tools that they need in a world post the iPhone being created.” He said the school is in its third year and has an enrollment of 82 students.

“So many schools are made to set kids up for industries that don’t even matter anymore,” he said, pointing out that the focus areas of the school is “on practical skills” such as engineering, computer programming and farming. He added that the school has tutors who focus on specific areas and could “actually turn your kids into, like, geniuses.”

“And if your kids are geniuses … they’re three grade levels ahead,” he added.

Ye told ABC News he hired a female basketball coach to help improve the skills of North, his 9-year-old daughter. He also helps coach North “every morning,” he said. The effort, Ye added, showed dramatic results. “She trained every day and I really stayed on her. And when she came back, she had the confidence,” he said.

Ye, who created the fashion brand Yeezy, also addressed the dissolving of his partnership with the Gap. Last week, Ye sent the Gap a letter terminating the 10-year partnership, saying the clothing retailer breached its contract to sell his Yeezy Gap line of apparel. Ye said he plans to open his own line of stores simply called YZY.

Mark Breitbard, Gap brand president and CEO, said the company and West are “not aligned” in how they work together, according to a memo sent to employees and reviewed by the Wall Street Journal. “Simply put…while we share a vision how we work together to deliver this vision is not aligned,” Breitbard wrote, according to the Journal.

It was all kind of a disregard for the voice of something that I co-created.

In addition to criticizing the Gap, Ye has recently criticized Adidas, a retailer that carries his apparel. Ye has been working with the athletic brand since their partnership was announced in 2016, but lashed out at Adidas when the brand released its Adilette 22 sandals, which resemble Ye’s Yeezy slides. Ye called their footwear “a fake Yeezy.”

“It was all kind of a disregard for the voice of something that I co-created. I co-created the product at Adidas. I co-created the product at Gap,” Ye said.

“That means that I was there for some specific agenda, not for Yeezy Gap to be everything that it could be, or this dream that I had about what the Gap could be,” he said. “It’s time for me to make my own thing.”

Adidas Chief Executive Kasper Rorsted said in August that West was probably the most important partner the company had, according to the Wall Street Journal. Adidas is trying to find a path toward continuing the partnership, the paper reported.

Since his ongoing battle with Adidas, Ye said he’s determined to learn more about what goes on behind the scenes of his brand.

“We had to level up,” Ye said. “Really show ’em who’s the new boss in town, that I’m the boss of me. I’m no longer just the man ridin’ atop the polo horse. I’m not just a mascot in the middle of the games, gettin’ the crowd hyped up sayin’, ‘Hey, wear this, do this,’ but you know, just learn financial engineering. Learn how to — learn how to really run a company.”

Ye added that he plans to move forward with an Oct. 3 fashion show in Paris that was initially planned in conjunction with the Gap. He secured a new producer for the event, he said, via Instagram.

Today, YZY Gap engineered by Balenciaga announced a new line of outerwear and knitwear, which will be made available online. YZY Gap engineered by Balenciaga also announced that YZY Gap will be available at stores outside of the U.S. for the first time at Gap’s Tokyo and Shanghai flagship stores.

Potentially, another presidential run

In November 2020, Ye conceded his run for president. He had loaned $6.8 million to his 2020 presidential committee, essentially self-funding his campaign during the first month and a half of his run, according to a Federal Election Commission disclosure filing.

Ye said he “absolutely” plans to run for president again but did not specify when.

“That time wasn’t in God’s time,” he said.

Ye said he is often misunderstood because of his adamancy for his Christian faith, which drives him to perform “Sunday Service” with a gospel choir at different locations around the U.S. He said he’s a “radical” for wanting to promote “the idea of family, the idea of God, the idea of protecting your children’s innocence for as long as possible.”

“When you remove the love and fear of God, you open up the love and fear of everything else. And it’s easier to have sheep when people don’t have God. It’s easier to control the people if people are not controlled by God. Because then they can be controlled by how many likes they have or whatever’s happening on their TikTok or how much money or the perception that people have,” he said.

“But we only have one audience here and that audience is God. And He’s watching us at all times,” Ye said. “He’s got my back.”

GOOD MORNING AMERICA EXCLUSIVE: Frances Tiafoe Talks Amazing US Open

While he didn’t make it to this year’s U.S. Open championship, Frances Tiafoe’s tennis journey still looks very bright.

The 24-year-old American was a breakout star of this year’s tournament after he beat tennis legend Rafael Nadal to advance to the quarterfinals.

Tiafoe spoke in an interview with ABC News on “Good Morning America” Monday about his journey to one of tennis’ biggest stages.

While he said he felt “a ton of different emotions” through his run, he hailed the Grand Slam as “the best two weeks of my life.”

“Probably the best thing [was] seeing the first lady Michelle Obama after the match,” he said of his semifinal match with Carlos Alcaraz. “I was on the one changeover and I looked and she looked at me — and then when they announced her and seeing the crowd erupt, that was pretty impactful.”

He was the first Black American man to reach the semifinals of the U.S. Open since 1972. The last player to do so was Arthur Ashe, the namesake of the stadium where Tiafoe and Alcaraz battled.

“It’s truly a blessing. All the work that my parents did over the years and having them see that and be a part of that is crazy. And to be in the same sentence as Arthur Ashe in anything is unbelievable and something no one can ever take from me. So I’m going to remember that forever,” Tiafoe explained.

Tiafoe said he hopes to continue to move the sport forward for others as a role model.  “My whole life I’ve wanted to pave a way so people like me can also play the game of tennis and just be great leaders as well as great individuals,” he said.

Tiafoe lost in five sets against Alcaraz; their match lasted four hours and 19 minutes. The 19-year-old Spanish phenom advanced to the final and won the tournament.

“I feel I let you guys down,” Tiafoe said after the match, addressing the crowd during an on-court interview. “This one hurts. This one really, really hurts — I’m going to be back — and I will win this thing one day.”

Tiafoe credited picking up a racquet to his father, who was the head of maintenance at a tennis center in Maryland.

Tiafoe, whose parents immigrated from Sierra Leone amid war in the 1990s, grew up outside of Washington, D.C., with his brother, Franklin.

“My parents are everything,” Tiafoe told ABC News. “We wouldn’t be doing this interview, all achievements, I wouldn’t have them without them. I’m just so thankful for them, and them instilling in me hard work and understanding — being humble and grateful for everything that comes your way. They shaped me to the person I am today.”

In 2020, Tiafoe won the Arthur Ashe Humanitarian Award, the ATP’s award for off-court impact.

Tiafoe added that being an inspiration is “what it’s all about.”

MORE: Serena Williams loses at US Open, likely ends professional career

“We all have a certain gift and to use that gift to inspire so many people to do great things in life,” he said.

As for the fate of the sport, Tiafoe said he thinks “American tennis is in a great place.”

“You’ll see some Grand Slam champions soon,” he said, mentioning Coco Gauff and Jessica Pegula, who he said is “playing great tennis.”

“I’m super excited to be in that conversation,” Tiafoe said. By Kelly McCarthy, Haley Yamada & Henderson Hewes

Kerry Washington – The Emmys 2015

I wanted to share Kerry Washington’s red carpet look (tonight) for The Emmys 2015.  Kerry stunned everyone in this gorgeous Marc Jacobs gown; the beading was absolutely amazing and screamed high fashion!

Kerry Washington Emmys 2015

 

Dress – Marc Jacobs

Shoes – Cassadei

Clutch – Salvatore Ferragamo

Jewels – Harry Winston

Photo was taken from Kerry Washington’s Instagram

Emmys Cocktail and Beverage Ideas from Drizly

Tonight television fans across the country will have their eyes glued to their screens to see if their favorite shows (such as Scandal) and actors will take home awards. Whether you’re hosting a viewing party, or watching solo from your couch, Drizly, the leading on-demand alcohol delivery service, has all your beverage needs covered.

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Drizly has created three cocktails to help you enjoy the evening, a Pre-Show Punch, a Backstage Boulevardier, and below is a dessert cocktail in honor of the show – Empire!

Cookie (Lyons) Delight

One of the best and most memorable TV characters from this year’s nominees. This adult milkshake is dedicated to the leading lady in FOX’s hit show Empire.

Ingredients (serves 1):

3 oz Bailey’s Irish Cream liqueur

3 scoops of chocolate ice cream

6 oz milk

3-4 ice cubes

2 medium FRESH chocolate chip cookies

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Directions: 

In a blender combine ice cream, Bailey’s, milk, one cookie, and ice cubes. Blend until smooth (add more milk or ice cream to get to your desired consistency). Crumble up the remaining cookie by hand or with a knife. Pour drink into pint glass and add cookie crumbs on top. Serve with a straw and spoon for maximum enjoyment.

First Lady Michelle Obama – We Day on ABC

Tune in to watch the first-ever national U.S. broadcast of We Day, featuring First Lady Michelle Obama, Selena Gomez, Nick Jonas, Jennifer Hudson along with inspiring young Americans celebrating the ‘We’ Movement

We Day airs commercial-free on ABC, Friday, August 21, 2015 at 8pm ET/7pm CT 

We Day, in collaboration with ABC, invites families to tune in to the first-ever U.S. national broadcast of We Day, airing commercial-free on August 21, 2015 at 8/7pm CT.

Selena Gomez, Jennifer Hudson, Common, Tyrese Gibson, Nick Jonas, Demi Lovato, Jennifer Aniston, The Band Perry, Earvin “Magic” Johnson, Rico & Raini Rodriguez, Paul Rudd, Josh Gad, Colbie Caillat, Kenny “Babyface” Edmonds, Macklemore, Lupe Fiasco, Shay Mitchell, Dennis Haysbert and Kid President will come together to encourage young Americans to be engaged, active citizens and make a difference in their local and global communities. The First Lady will also share an inspiring message to young Americans; watch Michelle Obama’s video here.

Michelle Obama
Michelle Obama

The broadcast, timed just as kids in the U.S. are heading back to school, is meant to bring families across America together for the most important conversations they’ll have all year to explore and discuss social issues faced by today’s youth and how they can take action on the issues they care about. Bullying, struggles with body image, the environment, inner-city violence and literacy are only a handful of the social issues that will be covered in We Day, which features international activists and We Day co-founders, Craig and Marc Kielburger along with iconic celebrities, international activists, and inspiring young Americans that have dealt with these issues first-hand. We Day challenges families to tune in and become a part of the growing movement that is motivating students to take action on issues and create systemic change in communities around the world.

“I am so proud to be part of We Day.  Connecting with hundreds of thousands of youth that are determined to make this world a better place is so inspiring,” said Selena Gomez, Host of We Day. “By coming together, young people are empowered to take action on issues they care about and make an impact – We Day is the movement that sparks inspiration and leads to action. I believe that this is the generation that will change the world, and I can’t wait to see what they do next.”

“Today’s generation of young people have the power to create and lead real systematic change,” said We Day co-founder, Craig Kielburger. “From bake sales and coin drives, clothing drives and awareness campaigns, youth across America are taking action on local and global issues they care about, and are being caring global citizens in the process. We’re so excited to lead the conversation on August 21st and help families discuss issues that have an effect on such a large part of our youth population. We are all about encouraging youth to take a stand for their passions, and we hope our message will shine through to the whole family and leave a lasting impression.”

We Day is made possible by national title sponsor Allstate, presenting sponsors Unilever and Microsoft YouthSpark, and supported by Walgreens and ABC. Click here to watch the PSA.

What is We Day?

On August 21st at 8/7pm CT tune in to ABC to watch the first-ever U.S. commercial-free, one-hour broadcast of We Day. Celebrating a generation committed to changing their world, We Day features inspiring stories of young Americans. Joined by host Selena Gomez, Jennifer Hudson, Nick Jonas, Common, Tyrese Gibson, Demi Lovato, The Band Perry and more. We Day is made possible by national title sponsor Allstate, presenting sponsors Unilever and Microsoft YouthSpark, and supported by Walgreens and ABC. Check out we.org for more information. You won’t want to miss it!

About the We Day Movement

We Day is the movement of our time – a movement of young people leading local and global change. We Day celebrates and inspires this generation’s shift from me to we – towards acting with intention, leading with compassion, and a belief in the power of community. We Day is one of the world’s largest registered charities on social media, with more than five million followers. This year alone over 200,000 young people will come together in 15 stadium gatherings across the U.S. Canada and UK to take part in this unprecedented educational initiative.

More than a one-day event, We Day is connected to a year-long free educational program, which provides educational resources and campaigns to help young people turn the day’s inspiration into sustained action. We Day and the year-long educational program are cause inclusive, empowering young people to find their passion and create the change they want to see. Together they are a blueprint for building the next generation of global citizens.

Join the We Day movement today at www.we.org.

Television Segment on ABC’s The List Baltimore: Watch Here

Yesterday, I hosted a lifestyle segment on ABC’s The List, Baltimore. I was very excited to have this opportunity because it was my first time on television.

One thing that most people don’t know about me is that I majored in Fashion Merchandising (in college) but I also had a theater scholarship for three years. I never imagined that I would have to put those skills to use other than teaching high school students.

Nevertheless, I hosted the segment; talking about how moms can keep themselves and baby safe during the cold winter months. Of course this was a topic that I could discuss because I have two boys.

The two products featured were really great and I hope the segment helps busy moms (such as myself) to live life a little easier.

Dress: Forever 21 | Shoes: Christian Louboutin | Makeup: MAC | Belt: Shop.stylelifefashion.com

Click Here to view:  The List Baltimore