Trevor Noah has insisted that he was not behind the Grammys’ decision to reportedly axe Kanye West from performing at this year’s ceremony.
The move came after the rapper, 44, was temporarily suspended last week from Instagram for 24 hours after he used a racial slur against the 38-year-old comedian who called his behaviour towards ex Kim Kardashian, 41, “terrifying”.
Noah is hosting this year’s Grammys which takes place on April 4 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, where West is up for five awards.
Despite no longer performing, the 22-time winner’s nominations still stand.
“Trevor never asked the Grammys to ban Kanye from performing. He was not offended by Kanye’s Instagram post and Trevor responded on Instagram,” a source close to Noah told CNN.
Adding: “The notion that Trevor or his team asked the Grammys to ban Kanye is ridiculous.”
Noah clarified his stance on Twitter on Sunday, tweeting: “I said counsel Kanye not cancel Kanye.”
I said counsel Kanye not cancel Kanye.
— Trevor Noah (@Trevornoah) March 20, 2022
During a segment on the Daily Show last week, Noah told the audience: “You may not feel sorry for Kim because she’s rich and famous... But what she’s going through is terrifying to watch and shines a spotlight on what so many women go through when they choose to leave.”
Reacting to his remarks, West shared a post that featured a Google search of Noah alongside a racial slur before he was suspended from the platform.
Kardashian filed for divorce from West last February after almost seven years of marriage. The former couple share four children together.
Since splitting, West has lashed out several times at his ex online, including criticising her parenting skills, accusing her of blocking his access to the their children, and leaking private messages.
He has also launched a series of scathing attacks on her new boyfriend, Saturday Night Live star, Pete Davidson, 28.
She was declared legally single by a Los Angeles court earlier this month.
