Kanye West Countersues Ex-Business Partner, Says He Took Advantage Of Him During Divorce – Kanye West, the embattled rapper and fashion designer, is reportedly countersuing his ex-business partner, Thomas St. John, who had previously accused West of breaching a contract between them. According to TMZ, West claims that he entered into the contract with St. John while he was experiencing extreme mental distress, including sleep deprivation, stress, anxiety, and being under duress.
West says that he met St. John in March 2022 and agreed to a $300,000 monthly retainer fee for his services. However, West believes that he was in a vulnerable state at the time, dealing with a public and tumultuous divorce from his ex-wife, Kim Kardashian. West says that St. John took advantage of his weakened mental state during this time and coerced him into signing the contract without the presence or counsel of his lawyers.
People Also Read: Jamie Foxx Hospitalised Following ‘Medical Complication’
West goes on to explain that the constant paparazzi encounters during his divorce proceedings were causing him to experience severe sleep deprivation, stress, and anxiety, making it difficult for him to make sound decisions. As a result, he claims that the contract he signed with St. John should be deemed unenforceable due to his fragile mental state at the time. In October 2022, Thomas St. John filed a lawsuit against Kanye West, accusing him of breaching their contract.
According to St. John, he received the first three payments from West, but things went awry during a meeting at Nobu in Malibu. St. John claims that West became “heated and aggressive,” and expressed that he did not want to work with St. John any longer. The contract between the two parties, however, contained a clause that prevented West from firing St. John for the first 18 months of their agreement.
West reportedly dismissed the clause, calling it “bulls***” and told St. John, “You’re insane for even thinking I would stick to it.” St. John is seeking $4.5 million in damages, which includes $900,000 for the months missed so far, and an additional $3.6 million for the remainder of the contract. He is also seeking punitive damages.
People Also Read: Tory Lanez Files Appeal After Being Convicted of Shooting Megan Thee Stallion
If West has his way, however, the lawsuit will be dismissed. He is countersuing St. John and claiming that he was taken advantage of while under extreme mental duress and that the contract should be rendered unenforceable. West is also claiming that St. John acted in bad faith and breached their agreement by failing to provide the services he promised.